Aerospace and Defense GaN Application

Motor Drive

Motor Drive for Satellite Reaction Wheels and Robotics
GaN Reduces Size and Weight, Reduces Audible Noise, Enables Cooler Operation

Ruggedized high-precision brushless DC motors are critical for the myriad of robotics and automated instrumentation used in space missions. GaN power devices and solutions provide the small size, light weight, and precision control that brushless DC (BLDC) motors require and can withstand the harsh environment.

Reaction wheels are a critical component for satellites as it enables them to stay orientated and reposition while in orbit. The reaction wheel operates by controlling the rotational speed of the electric motor attached to the flywheel. The wide band-gap characteristics of GaN power devices allow them to have much higher switching frequencies with considerably lower switching losses providing the small size, light weight, and precision control needed to drive miniaturized reaction wheels used by small CubeSats.

GaN Aerospace and Defense Motor Drive

Motor Drive Reference Designs

Part
Number 		Description VIN IPhase
(ARMS) 		fSW
(kHz) 		Featured Product
EPC91104 Demonstration Board
 EPC91104 14 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Inverter Board 14 - 80 10 20 - 250 EPC23104 Buy Now
EPC9176 Demonstration Board
 EPC9176 20 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Reference Design Board 14 - 80 20 20 - 250 EPC23102 Buy Now
EPC9193 Demonstration Board
 EPC9193 20 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Reference Design Board 14 - 65 20 50 - 250 EPC2619 Buy Now
EPC9173 Demonstration Board
 EPC9173 35 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Reference Design Board 20 - 85 35 20 - 250 EPC23101 Buy Now
EPC91200 Demonstration Board
 EPC91200 40 ARMS 3-Phase Motor Drive Inverter 30 - 130 40 20 - 150 EPC2305 Buy Now
EPC9193HC Demonstration Board
 EPC9193HC 40 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Reference Design Board 14 - 65 40 50 - 250 EPC2619 Buy Now
EPC9194 Demonstration Board
 EPC9194 40 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Reference Design Board 14 - 65 40 20 - 250 EPC2302 Buy Now
EPC9186 Demonstration Board
 EPC9186 150 ARMS 3-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Reference Design Board 14 - 60 150 20 - 120 EPC2302 Buy Now

EPC’s application team is constantly working on new reference designs. If there is a requirement not met by the listed boards, please contact us via Ask a GaN Expert to discuss your application further.

Half-bridge development boards are available for quick evaluation of most eGaN FETs and ICs.

Recommended Devices for Aerospace and Defense Motor Drive

Part Number Status Configuration VDS
max		 VGS
max		 max
RDS(on)
(mΩ)
@5VGS		 QG
typ
(nC)		 QGS
typ
(nC)		 QGD
typ
(nC)		 QOSS
typ
(nC)		 ID (A) Pulsed ID
(A)		 Package
(mm)
EPC7002 Engr Single Rad Hard 40 6 14.5 2.9 1 0.4 6.6 10 62 LGA 1.7 x 1.1 Contact EPC
EPC7001 Engr Single Rad Hard 40 6 4 11 3.6 1.7 26 60 250 LGA 4.1 x 1.6 Contact EPC
EPC7019 Engr Single Rad Hard 40 6 1.5 23 7.6 3.4 51 95 530 LGA 6.05 x 2.3 Contact EPC
EPC7018 Engr Single Rad Hard 100 6 3.9 15.2 4 2.6 77 90 345 LGA 6.05 x 2.3 Contact EPC
EPC7020 Engr Single Rad Hard 200 6 11 11.7 3.5 2.2 76 39 170 BGA 4.6 x 2.6 Contact EPC
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