POWER


GaN ICs simplify Motor Joint Inverter Design for  Robots


Francesco Musumeci, application engineer,  


B


attery-powered applications such as new-generation robots, drones and power tools require a reduction in space and a  motors. Optimising size and components results in innovative solutions that include    applications GaN technology brings crucial improvements such as the switching  passive component in the converter input  dead-time decrease with the improvement  the high-power density which contributes to     gate driver with bootstrap supply and  converter’s design and allows a noticeable volume reduction. Innovative applications,    devices because they result in more compact and lighter converter. Moreover, the inverter   GaN devices, as well as reduction in motor 


 GaN advantage


  device. For a given breakdown voltage, the    than silicon and the electron mobility due  makes the ON resistance low while keeping its dimensions small.


GaN technology is based on a planar layout. In reverse conduction, a GaN  diode with no reverse recovery charge


RR parasitic capacitances approximately an   Smaller parasitic capacitances lead to higher   


EPC2310x: ePower Stage IC Features   gate driver and synchronous bootstrap       integrated circuits is composed   


 allowing the devices to be 


      described in the block diagram 


Figure 2 – EPC9176 top and bottom views with system block diagram Figure 1 – EPC23102/3/4 functional block diagram Reference designs


   boards share a similar block diagram and controller connector to help the designer scale the current and voltage during the            


         related to analog sensing signals, power supply and over-current have been placed on 


MARCH 2025 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 33


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