News: Microelectronics
11 November 2024
CGD and Qorvo collaborate on evaluation kit for motor control systems
Fabless firm Cambridge GaN Devices Ltd (CGD) — which was spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 to design, develop and commercialize power transistors and ICs that use GaN-on-silicon substrates — and Qorvo Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA (which provides core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications) have partnered to bring together motor control and power efficiency technologies in the PAC5556A + ICeGaN evaluation kit (EVK). The collaboration combines Qorvo’s BLDC/PMSM motor controller/driver and CGD’s ICeGaN ICs in a board that is said to significantly improve motor control applications.
“We are enabling the development of compact, energy-efficient systems with high power density,” says chief marketing officer Andrea Bricconi. “Unlike other GaN implementations, ICeGaN technology easily interfaces with Qorvo’s PAC5556A motor control IC for seamless high performance in BLDC and PMSM applications,” he adds.
“Wide-bandgap semiconductors like GaN and SiC are being integrated into motor control applications for the power density and efficiency advantages they offer,” notes Jeff Strang, general manager of Qorvo’s Power Management business unit. “CGD’s ICeGaN technology delivers ease of use and reliability — two critical factors for motor control and drive designers. Customers are responding enthusiastically when they experience the power of GaN combined with our highly integrated PAC5556A 600V BLDC motor control solution.”
By employing CGD’s latest-generation P2 ICs, the PAC5556AEVK2 evaluation kit with 240mΩ ICeGaN achieves up to 400W peak performance without a heatsink, whilst the PAC5556AEVK3 with 55mΩ ICeGaN hits 800W peak with minimal airflow cooling. ICeGaN’s efficiency gains result in reduced power loss, increased power availability, and minimized heat dissipation, enabling smaller and more reliable systems, it is claimed. Because ICeGaN integrates essential current sense and Miller clamp elements, gate driver design is simplified and bill-of-materials (BOM) costs are reduced. This makes the solution easy to implement and price-competitive, as well as high performance, CGD claims.
The PAC5556A + CGD GaN EVKs are said to offer higher torque at low speeds and precise control, making them suitable for white goods, ceiling fans, refrigerators, compressors and pumps. Target markets include industrial and home automation, especially where compact, high-efficiency motor control systems are required. PAC5556AEVK2 and PAC5556AEVK3 are now available to order at Qorvo’s website. Demos are being showcased at CGD’s booth (C3-539) at electronica 2024 in Messe München, Munich, Germany (12–15 November).
