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Power Electronics Europe News
 
GaN-based three-phase BLDC inverter simplifies and shrinks motor drives

 

 

 

The inverter uses the EPC23102 ePower Stage GaN IC with embedded gate driver function and two GaN FETs with 5.2 mΩ typical RDS(on). It operates from an input supply voltage between 20 and 80V and can deliver up to 28Apk (20A RMS).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The small inverter can be integrated into the motor housing to reduce EMI, for high density and low weight designs. Its voltage range and power level make it suitable for three-phase BLDC motor drive applications with 36 to 80V input including e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, drones, robots, DC servo, medical robots and factory automation.

 

 


According to EPC, using the EPC23102 integrated GaN-on-silicon IC offers higher performance in a smaller footprint with “significantly reduced design effort requirements” to accelerate time to market. The fully integrated power stage IC has 100V rating and includes half bridge FETs, driver, level shifter, and synchronous bootstrap charging, with an enable pin for low quiescent current in disabled mode and 5V bias.

The EPC9176 inverter mates with compatible controllers and is supported by various manufacturers’ resources to aid quick development and to reduce design cycle times.

The EPC9176 contains all the necessary critical functions circuits to support a complete motor drive inverter including gate drivers, regulated auxiliary power rails for housekeeping supplies, voltage, and temperature sense, accurate current sense, and protection functions.

Interface boards (EPC9147X) enable the inverter reference design to operate with the most common motors.

“Designers can use GaN ICs to make lighter weight and more efficient battery-operated motor drives for a wide variety of e-mobility and robotic applications”, says Alex Lidow, EPC’s CEO.

The EPC9176 reference design board is available for immediate delivery from Digi-Key.

Designers interested in replacing their silicon MOSFETs with a GaN device can use the EPC GaN Power Bench’s cross-reference tool to find a suggested replacement.

 



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