News: Microelectronics
9 September 2024
ROHM and UAES sign long-term supply agreement for SiC power devices
Japan-based power semiconductor device maker ROHM Semiconductor and China’s largest tier-1 automotive supplier United Automotive Electronic Systems Co Ltd (UAES, a joint venture established in 1995 by China’s Zhonglian Automotive Electronics Co Ltd and Germany’s Robert Bosch GmbH) have entered into a long-term supply agreement for SiC power devices.
Since 2015, ROHM and UAES have been collaborating and conducting technical exchanges on automotive applications utilizing SiC power devices. This partnership deepened in 2020 with the establishment of the SiC Joint Research Institute at UAES’ headquarters in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. In 2021, ROHM’s SiC power devices and peripheral components were highly evaluated by UAES, resulting in ROHM being selected as a preferred supplier.
The long-standing technical partnership has led to the production and adoption of automotive products equipped with ROHM SiC components, such as onboard chargers and inverters for electric vehicles. SiC power devices play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of systems, contributing to extending the cruising range and reducing battery size.
The long-term supply agreement ensures UAES sufficient access to SiC power devices to meet the growing demand for SiC-based inverter modules, which have been supplied to customers since November 2023. Going forward, both companies aim to deepen their collaboration, accelerating the development of SiC power solutions for EVs.
“The growing popularity of electric vehicles in the Chinese market has made the adoption and integration of power semiconductors like SiCs increasingly important,” notes UAES’ deputy general manager Guo Xiaolu. “Choosing ROHM as our long-term supplier of SiC chips guarantees a stable supply for future mass production. We appreciate ROHM’s past efforts and look forward to building a long-term collaborative relationship, with this agreement serving as a new starting point,” he adds.
“By working together, both companies can provide cutting-edge, high-performance, high-quality automotive applications,” says Tsuguki Noma, corporate officer and director of the Power Device business unit at ROHM. “Moving forward, we will continue to drive technological innovation in electric vehicles together with UAES by offering power solutions centered on SiC.”
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