US-based Efficient Power Conversion (EPC), which supplies enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN) power devices, has released the EPC9196, a three-phase BLDC motor drive inverter reference design powered by the EPC2304 eGaN FET.

The EPC9196 is optimized for 96-150 V battery-powered motor drive applications, including steering systems in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), traction motors in compact autonomous vehicles and precision motor joints in robotics.

The EPC2304 is a 200 V-rated, 3.5 mΩ (typical) eGaN FET in a thermally enhanced QFN package. Its low RDS(on) and high performance in compact form factors enable the EPC9196 to deliver up to 35 Apk (25 ARMS) phase current at switching frequencies up to 100 kHz. This performance translates to low switching losses, minimal dead time and a smooth, low-noise motor drive profile even at high PWM speeds, according to the company.

The voltage and current combination offers system designers a compact, efficient and ready-to-deploy solution that is designed to accelerate development and optimize system performance in the lower end of the 25-400 ARMS application range.

The EPC9196 features a wide input voltage range from 30 V to 170 V, as well as integrated gate drivers, housekeeping power, current and voltage sense, over-current protection and thermal monitoring. It is compatible with multiple motor drive controller platforms from Microchip, ST, TI, and Renesas. It offers dv/dt control optimized for motor drive applications (<10 V/ns) and is ready for sensorless or encoder-based control configurations.

The EPC9196 has been validated in real-world conditions, powering a 3-kW servo motor at 150 VDC and 60 kHz switching frequency. It is suitable for bench evaluation and production-intent prototyping.

“We’re enabling engineers working in robotics, AGVs and compact EVs to take full advantage of GaN’s superior performance without redesigning for high current,” said Marco Palma, Director of Motor Drive Systems and Applications at EPC.

Source: EPC