Why GaN for Motor Drive?
- Improve Precision
- Lower Torque Ripple
- More Output at Smaller Size
- Lower EMI
- Faster Response
- Lighter Weight
eGaN® FETs and ICs are ideal for brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive applications such as Robotics, e-Mobility, Industrial Automation and Drones, because of their small size, light weight and precision control.
EPC offers a variety of modular demonstration boards and kits to evaluate the performance advantages of gallium-nitride FETs and ICs for motor drive applications. With GaN inverters, motors can become more efficient due to high PWM frequency, smaller dead time and usage of ceramic capacitors in place of electrolytic capacitors.
Jump to: Motor Drive Demo Boards; Controller Interface Boards; and Motor Drive Kits
Motor Drive Demo Boards
EPC9146
The EPC9146 demo board is a 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter board that contains three independently controlled half bridge circuits. It features the EPC2152 monolithic ePower™ Stage with integrated gate driver, 80 V maximum device voltage, and 15 Apk (10.5 ARMS) maximum output current.
The board can also be configured for multi-phase DC/DC conversion and the EPC2152 supports PWM switching frequencies up to 3 MHz.
EPC9145
The EPC 9145 demo board is a 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter board. It features the EPC2206 GaN FET 1.8 mΩ typ RDS(on), 80 V maximum device voltage, and it can deliver up to 35 Apk (25 ARMS) maximum output current.
The board can also be configured for multi-phase DC/DC conversion and the EPC2206 supports PWM switching frequencies up to 250 kHz.
Compare EPC Motor Drive Demo Boards
| EPC9146 – 400 W Motor Drive Demo Board | EPC9145 – 1 kW Motor Drive Demo Board | |
|---|---|---|
| Featuring | EPC2152 monolithic ePower™ Stage with integrated gate driver | EPC2206 GaN FET 1.8 mΩ typ RDS(on) |
| Max Device Voltage | 80 V | 80 V |
| Max Output Current | 15 Apk (10.5 ARMS) | 35 Apk (25 ARMS) |
| Phase Current | 60 V – 10 ARMS | 60 V – 25 ARMS |
| Current Sensing on Each Phase | X | X |
| Current Sensing on Each Leg | X | |
| Temperature Sensing Circuit | X | X |
| Over-Current Circuit with Current Limitation Onboard | X | X |
Controller Interface Boards
The EPC9146 and EPC9145 power boards can be paired with the EPC9147 mating board range to allow mainstream microcontroller dev boards to be used. This leverages existing resources for fast development.
EPC9147A
The EPC9147 Motor Drive Controller Interface Board integrates with the Microchip MA330031-2 Plug-In-Module (PIM). It is fitted with the dsPIC33EP256MC506 Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and interfaces to a 3-phase eGaN FET/IC motor drive inverter board.
With this interface board, you can utilise the Microchip motorBench® Development Suite resource. It also includes a standard Microchip compatible programming port (J4), I2C expansion port (J8) and, a 40-pin card edge connector (J2) that interfaces the PWM, analogue feedback signal, errors states and 3.3 V power to the motor drive inverter board.
EPC9147E
The EPC9147E board is an interface board that interfaces to a 3-phase eGaN FET/IC motor drive inverter board. This interface board allows users to connect to a custom controller of choice using fly wires or ribbon cable. It can also be used to for debug by probing control signals.
Please note, the EPC9147E is not sold separately – it is a part of the motor drive kits.
Motor Drive Kits
EPC9146KITA – 400 W Motor Drive Demonstration Kit
The EPC9146KITA includes:
- One (1) EPC9146 400 W GaN-based motor inverter board
- One (1) EPC9147A mate board for dsPIC33EP256MC506 Plug-In Module
- One (1) EPC9147E generic interface board for custom controller of choice
All controllers are compatible with all motor drive boards.
Speak to one of our experts to find out more about GaN for Motor Drive; learn more about EPC Motor Drive Boards, Controller Interface Boards or Motor Drive Kits.