TI Introduces New Isolated Gate Driver For EVs At PCIM Europe 2023
TI’s gate driver will allow efficient, higher energy-density inverters for use in EVs and power storage systems.
Texas Instruments (TI) has chosen to debut its highly integrated, functional safety-compliant, isolated gate driver today at the PCIM Europe 2023 (Power Conversion and Intelligent Motion) conference in Nuremberg, Germany. The new device will allow engineers to design more efficient traction inverters to help maximize electric vehicle (EV) driving range.
Although innovations in lithium-ion battery systems have made EVs practical and affordable, they are not the only consideration in building longer range more efficient vehicles. The inverter that changes the battery’s direct current (DC) electrical energy into the alternation current (AC) used by electric traction motors relies on efficient silicon carbide (SiC)- and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) to develop high energy density systems. TI’s new UCC5880-Q1 reinforced isolated gate driver allows EV powertrain engineers to increase power density and reduce system design complexity while also reaching cost, safety, and performance goals.
Simplified schematic of the UCC5880-Q1 isolated gate driver. Image courtesy of Texas Instruments
Using the new UCC5880-Q1 gate driver it is possible to vary the gate-drive strength in real time in steps between 5 amps and 20 amps. Efficiency gains of up to 2 percent are possible. While these gains sound small it is important to remember that inverters already exhibit efficiencies of more than 90 percent, so a 2 percent gain is significant. This percentage improvement could be as much as 7 more miles of EV driving range on a battery charge adding up to as much as 1,000 more miles per year for the average EV user.
32-pin SSOP package for the UCC5880-Q1 isolated gate driver. Image courtesy of Texas Instruments
The programmability and integrated monitoring and protection features of the device can also help reduce the complexity of the inverter system. As it is desirable for inverters to be physically as small as possible, reducing the number of components has a beneficial effect.
Other TI Innovations at PCIM
TI is also using PCIM Europe 2023 as a place to showcase other high-voltage innovations including system-level innovations for gallium nitride (GaN)- and SiC-based designs as well as other technologies from the company that increases power density and efficiency for EVs, power supplies, and energy storage systems. During the conference, powder experts from Texas Instruments will present technical papers in five sessions, addressing design challenges in high voltage, high power density, and low electromagnetic interference.
The PCIM Europe Conference has been held annually in Nuremberg since 1979. The conference provides an international meeting place for leading industry experts in the fields of power electronics and specialized applications such as energy storage and E-Mobility. In addition to highlighting the latest trends in technology, the exhibition covers the entirety of the industry value chain from manufacturing and components to the latest innovative applications. Of particular interest are the technical presentations from the R&D departments of leading universities and corporations from around the globe. PCIM 2023 runs from May 9-11, 2023.
