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VisIC and ZF Combine Forces to Develop Next Generation EV Drivelines

July 15, 2020 by Stephanie Leonida

VisIC Technologies and ZF Friedrichshafen AG partner to utilize innovative gallium nitride technology in the development of electric vehicle powertrain drivelines.

VisIC Technologies is a developer and supplier of automotive gallium nitride (GaN) products. VisIC currently works with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) as a foundry source for the proprietary Depletion-mode Direct Drive GaN (D3GaN) process. 

Recently, VisIC announced its partnership with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a global technology company that offers solutions for four technological domains including Electric Mobility, Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, and Automated Driving. The company supplies its climate-conscious products to established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging mobility and transport service providers. 

 

VisIC and ZF Combine Forces to develop the next generation of Electric Vehicle Drivelines
Image courtesy of VisIC. 

 

With VisIC’s expertise in developing GaN devices for automotive high-voltage applications and ZF’s innovative mobility solutions, the dynamic pair hope to invent the next generation of high-efficiency and high-performance electric drivelines for vehicles. The partnership will focus on what has become a key area in the electric vehicle market — 400-Volt driveline applications. The incorporation of GaN technology into driveline designs offers high reliability with regards to industry standards, offers the lowest losses per RDS(on). Systems are also able to be downscaled and simplified enabling the creation of more efficient and cost-effective powertrain solutions.

“Our partnership with ZF for the development of gallium nitride-based power inverters in electric vehicles illustrates the break-through of gallium nitride technology in the automotive industry,” said Tamara Baksht, CEO of VisIC, in a press release. “VisIC’s D3GaN technology was developed for the high reliability standards of the automotive industry and offers the lowest losses per RDS(on). It also simplifies the system solution and enables high-efficiency and affordable power train solutions. It is definitely the next step for the automotive electrical driveline.”

 

VisIC’s D3GaN technology

The use of VisIC’s D3GaN technology allows for smaller tier 1 systems to be made, which in turn results in smaller on-board charging (OBC) systems. This results in a 3x higher power density compared to current systems. 

The entire powertrain system of an electric vehicle (EV) relies on its motor, battery, and power electronics which modulate the driveline capability of the system. In addition to enabling a reduction in system components, VisIC’s D3GaN technology allows for the improved efficiency of EV inverters; reducing switching losses through improving the efficiency of direct current (DC) to DC conversion. 

Studies have shown that losses incurred by D3GaN in an inverter topology were just 15% of silicon technology and 50% of those of silicon carbide technology. This reduces the cost of the battery by up to $1,000. If this is not enough for highlighting the gains in efficiency that come with VisIC’s D3GaN, it also delivers high power at high frequency, further increasing efficiency when paired with a suitable electric motor.

 

Summary

VisIC Technologies and ZF Friedrichshafen AG partner to utilize innovative gallium nitride technology in the development of electric vehicle powertrain drivelines.