Learn how EPC’s new demo board, the EPC9176 with its six QFN-packaged GaN ICs allows for more efficient, high-performance vacuum cleaner motors.

氮化镓(GaN)器件是一种非常坚硬和在机械方面非常稳定的宽带隙半导体材料，用于生产功率器件、射频元件和发光二极管 (LED)。其开关频率远高于硅器件，使电力电子设计人员能够利用氮化镓器件创建更小、更高效、性能更高的系统，这是以前采用硅技术难以实现。

可持续能源是当今全球重要需求。发展中经济体努力建设能源基础设施以支持工业和为偏远村庄供电。与此同时，工业化经济体正在努力平衡对更大供电需求的相互冲突和减少对环境的影响。氮化镓(GaN)集成电路为设计人员提供具备更高功率密度、更高效和可使能新应用优势的功率器件。随着全球能源成本的上升，氮化镓器件的普及化急剧加快也就不足为奇了。

GaN is a game changer for motor drive applications. For designers to take advantage of this technology, fast and reliable time-to-market is critical. Easy-to-use reference designs using state-of-the-art electronics and techniques provide a valuable tool to speed time to market. The EPC9173 tool allows designers of eBikes and drones to enhance motor system size, performance, range, precision, and torque, all while simplifying design for faster time-to-market.  

The EPC9173 integrates all the necessary circuits to operate a 3-phase BLDC motor with high performance, 48 V input, 1.5kW output, and three-phase inverter using six EPC23101  GaN ICs. Thanks to the high-power density and the high electrical conductivity of GaN ICs, the EPC9173 delivers up to 25 A_RMS on each leg and supports PWM switching frequencies up to 250 kHz under a natural convection passive heatsink. The resultant quality of the current output waveforms, lesser torque oscillations, and total system efficiency increase the performance of the motor-drive system. Further, the extremely small size of this inverter allows integration into the motor housing resulting in the lowest EMI, highest density, and lowest weight.

Environmental pressures are creating pressure to quickly adopt newer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation options.  In 2025, 1 in 10 vehicles sold are expected to be a more fuel efficient 48 V mild hybrid.  These systems will require a 48V – 12V bidirectional converter, with power ranging from 1.5 kW to 6 kW. The design priorities for these systems are size, cost, and high reliability. GaN power conversion solutions are perfect to support a 48 V to 12 V bidirectional converter used in these newer models.

A new reference design demo board, the EPC9165, is available to help jump start the design of a 2 kW bi-directional converter.  The EPC9165 is a synchronous buck/boost converter with other supporting circuitry including current sensors and temperature sensor.  The EPC9528 controller board ships with the EPC9165 to incorporate digital control and housekeeping power supply; this board uses the dsPIC33CK256MP503 digital controller from Microchip.

许多电源系统中使用的基本构建块是半桥，它由两个串联的功率FET及其各自的栅极驱动器组成。虽然分立式FET和栅极驱动器可以在板上实现这个相同的功能，但通常使用半桥模块比较有利。使用半桥模块有许多好处，包括使用单个预先通过认证的器件、更短的交付周期和具有更高的性能。有50多年历史的电源模块供应商Sensitron（sensitron.com）使用了EPC的eGaN FET，使它的新型产品更具吸引力。Sensitron与EPC合作，使用了新型EPC2050 GaN FET开发出350 V半桥模块SPG025N035P1B，这个半桥智能功率模块专为商业、工业和航空航天应用而设计，额定电流为20 A，可用于控制5 kW以上的功率。如图1所示，通过从Si和SiC器件升级至采用氮化镓器件，封装尺寸显著减小。

48V正越来越多地被用作计算数据中心和笔记本电脑等消费电子产品性能的新标准。全新USB PD3.1标准也正在进军笔记本电脑，部分原因是USB电压增加到48 V，在连接器和电缆的电流限制为5 A的情况下，总功率传输增加到240 W。使用USB PD新标准的兼容电源，也不断面临实现小尺寸的解决方案以满足对高功率密度的需求。GaN FET开关快和具有低导通电阻，解决了电源供电中含有多个电路所需的功率密度挑战。

早在2015年，Venture Beat就发表了一篇关于氮化镓芯片取代硅的文章。在那篇文章中，我断言氮化镓基功率半导体的广泛普及是可能的，因为GaN FET将比硅具有更高的性能和更低的成本。然而，人们仍然普遍误解氮化镓器件还没有达到那个里程碑……这是一个错误的神话。在这篇博客文章中，我将试图打破这个神话，并提醒大家，本次讨论仅限于额定电压低于400 V的器件的应用领域，因为这是EPC 的重点产品。

APEC is The Premier Global Event in Applied Power Electronics

Preparations are well underway for EPC to head to Houston for the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC). The team is excited to be back, in-person exhibiting a large variety of demonstrations showcasing how the superior performance of GaN is transforming the delivery of power across many industries, including computing, communications, and e-mobility.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the key application areas we will be showcasing in Booth 1302 at APEC.

The 48 V/12 V automotive evaluation power modules (EPC9137, EPC9163, EPC9165, etc) utilize the two-phase synchronous buck/boost topology. The edge connectors and controller card are also designed to operate two modules in parallel with one controller, effectively achieving four-phase and therefore double the rated current and power. An example using EPC9137 modules are shown in Figure 1.