NEC Adds Intelligent Power Device for Automotive Applications
The Automotive Products Division of NEC Electronics America Inc. has announced the uPD166007 intelligent power device (IPD) for use in on-board electronic control units (ECUs) supporting applications such as headlights, anti-lock braking systems and air conditioners. By replacing mechanical switches and relays with a solid-state solution, new IPD frees cabin space and contributes to a lower environmental impact by reducing engine load.
In recent years, the number of electronic devices employed in vehicles has increased at a remarkable rate, creating a corresponding increase in on-board ECUs. To help reduce the demand these ECUs place on the engine, switches with higher performance and higher reliability are needed. To meet these requirements, NEC Electronics' uPD166007 IPD allows ECUs to be more compact for better integration into vehicle cabins. Additionally, as it uses semiconductors, the uPD166007 IPD does not suffer from the reliability issues that can affect mechanical relays due to contact wear.
A specific switching control function limits rapid fluctuations in output current, and thereby reduces electromagnetic noise and improves ECU performance, while a current-sensing function monitors current flow during normal operation, and a diagnosis function detects overcurrent and overheating. Support for these features enables an accurate grasp of the output status and the detection of abnormalities.
The uPD166007 IPD uses a stacked construction in a multi-chip package (MCP) and features vertical-type, field-effect transistors (FET) having a UMOS trench cell structure. This structure has a solid track record for low resistance and low heat generation, and with an on-resistance of 10 mOhms, the uPD166007 IPD is designed for use in on-board control units. The device comes in a compact TO-252 package with five external pins in line with JEDEC standards.
Mass production of approximately one million units per month is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2006.
