New Power Components for Automotive Applications Hit the Market
This article will examine recent news in the automotive component industry to see how companies are addressing the need for automotive-qualified components.
When it comes to the automotive industry, designing electronic circuits can be a particularly challenging pursuit. One of the more notable challenges with automotive design is the need for components that can withstand the harsh environment.
Image used courtesy of Pexels
Between high temperatures and significant electromagnetic interference, the automotive environment significantly limits a designer’s choice of components.
To address this issue, component companies are hard at work developing new component solutions that are qualified to the most stringent automotive standards. This article will examine recent news in the automotive component industry to see how companies are addressing the need for automotive-qualified components.
AEC Qualifications
For automotive components, two of the most important qualifications a component can get are the AEC-Q1010 standard and the AEC-Q200 standard.
The AEC-Q101 is a stress test qualification for discrete semiconductors (e.g., transistors, diodes, and rectifiers). The qualification outlines a set of tests that these components must pass to be considered reliable for use in automotive applications. The tests aim to simulate the harsh conditions that components may be exposed to in a vehicle, such as high temperatures and mechanical stress. By choosing components that meet the AEC-Q101 qualification, manufacturers can assure customers that their components are robust and reliable enough for automotive use.
The AEC-Q200 qualification, on the other hand, is a similar test but applies to passive components (e.g., capacitors, inductors, and resistors). Like the AEC-Q101, the AEC-Q200 outlines a series of stress tests to ensure that these components can withstand the demanding conditions of automotive applications. The tests under this standard include temperature cycling, mechanical shock, moisture resistance, and more. Components that meet the AEC-Q200 standard are considered reliable for automotive systems, from infotainment to powertrain and safety systems.
Vishay’s Automotive Grade Rectifiers
Vishay recently released a series of automotive-grade rectifiers.
Specifically, the company has announced five new Trench MOS Barrier Schottky (TMBS) rectifier devices, coming in 60V, 100V, and 150V ratings. The five families are VxNL63, VxNM63, VxN103, VxNM103, and VxNM153. Common between all five is support for current ratings between 2 A and 7 A, peak forward surge current (IFSM) from 50 to 120 A, and compliance with AEC-Q1010 automotive standards.
V2N103 automotive rectifier. Image used courtesy of Vishay
According to Vishay, the devices come in a low-profile DFN3820A package that offers a 50% higher current density than conventional SMA packages and up to 60% smaller size than rival packages. Overall, the devices are designed for automotive applications, including electronic control systems, ADAS, chargers, and battery management systems in EVs.
Littelfuse’s AEC-Q200 Fuses
Littelfuse recently made automotive waves of its own, announcing its automotive-qualified fuses.
The AEC-Q200 Rev E Qualified Fuses, as the name suggests, are a series of fuses qualified for the AEC-Q200 automotive standard. The product portfolio notably comes in many options, including thin film fuses, cartridge fuses, and ceramic axial-leaded fuses.
Littelfuse’s automotive-qualified fuses. Image used courtesy of Littelfuse
According to Littelfuse, the company’s release of these fuses marks the first release of AEX-Q200 Rev E Qualified fuses in the industry. With this qualification, Littelfuse believes their solutions can be leveraged for automotive designs, including chargers, power distribution, battery management, DC/DC converters, and infotainment systems.
Meeting Automotive Criteria
One of the most difficult aspects of automotive design is choosing components that meet the requirements of automotive environments. The lack thereof significantly hinders an automotive designer’s ability to select the best components for their design, ultimately limiting the system's performance.
By producing more automotive-qualified components, companies like Vishay and Littelfuse are making important strides in the automotive industry and helping facilitate the design of future automotive systems.
