Semiconductor giant NXP Semiconductors has partnered with transmission system supplier ZF Friedrichshafen to provide silicon carbide (SiC) technology for ZF electric vehicle traction inverters.
NXP GD316x high-voltage (HV) isolated gate drivers enable the transition to an 800-V architecture based on SiC power devices. The benefits they offer include longer EV range and lower OEM-level costs.
The traction inverter converts the battery’s DC voltage into a time-varying AC voltage, which drives the vehicle’s engine. In SiC-based designs, SiC power devices must be used with high-voltage isolated gate drivers to take advantage of higher switching frequencies, lower conduction losses, better thermal characteristics, and higher performance than previous generation silicon devices. reliability of power switches based on IGBT and MOSFET.
This is where NXP chips come to the rescue. The GD316x series of isolated high-voltage gate drivers integrate programmable control, diagnostics, monitoring and protection functions. The high level of integration simplifies the system design and reduces the overall size of the inverter.
“Our gate driver series provides many excellent features to protect and take advantage of high-voltage SiC power switches, making them ideal for ZF’s new SiC traction inverter solutions,” said Senior Vice President Robert Lee. General Manager, Electrification Division, NXP.
NXP says these semiconductors reduce electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) noise while reducing switching energy loss, thereby improving efficiency. Fast short circuit protection time of less than 1 microsecond combined with programmable gate control circuitry optimizes the performance of SiC traction inverter power modules.
“We look forward to working with NXP to enhance the functionality and performance standards of our 800V traction inverter solutions, helping us achieve our emissions reduction and ZF sustainability goals.” “ZF’s expertise in motor control and power electronics, combined with the NXP GD316x gate driver family, allows us to offer the latest SiC traction inverters with higher power and bulk density, efficiency and differentiation, and deliver significant improvements in safety, efficiency, range and productivity for our customers. “
Dan’s thirty years in the automotive industry have taken him to race tracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels and crash test laboratories around the world.
Post time: Jun-13-2024