ICs & Semiconductors

Smart motor controller is based on Infineon’s SoI technology

Wed, Feb 17, 2021

The IMD110 SmartDriver smart motor controller family combines the iMotion motion control engine (MCE) with a three-phase gate driver. The integrated gate driver is based on Infineon Technologies’ silicon on insulator (SoI) technology. Supplied in a compact package, the gate driver can drive a wide variety of MOSFETs and IGBTs in variable speed drives, says Infineon Technologies. The family uses the MCE 2.0, which provides a ready-to-use motor and, optionally, power factor correction (PFC) control. The MCE can be applied to control the motor, allowing customers to focus on ther system design.

MCE 2.0 implements efficient field-oriented control (FOC) in sensorless or Hall- based motor inverters. The wide operating voltage of the SOI gate driver addresses battery and mains powered motors and is claimed to deliver “market-leading robustness and reliability”. An integrated voltage regulator enables several supply schemes and reduces the bill of materials (BoM).

The IMD110 devices are pre-certified for applications requiring functional safety according to UL/IEC 60730 (Class B). Typical applications are motors in home appliances as well as fans and pumps.

The IMD110 devices are in mass production now. They are supplied in LQFP-40 packages which are pin-compatible with LQFP-48 packages.

Infineon also offers two control boards for the iMotion Modular Application Design Kit (MADK). The iMotion MADK (pictured) is a modular development platform providing a wide range of control and power board options for motor drive applications up to 1kW.

http://www.infineon.com

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Updated R-Car V3H aids deep learning performance for smart camera apps

Mon, Feb 15, 2021

Renesas Electronics has updated its R-Car V3H system-on-chip (SoC) to improve deep learning performance for smart camera applications, such as driver and occupant monitoring systems, automotive front cameras, surround view and auto parking for high-volume vehicles up to Level 2+.

The updated SoC performs sensor fusion using an architecture optimised for smart computer vision and supporting safety certification up to ASIL C for the real-time control domain. The device offers original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1s a high-performance, low-power solution that supports the latest NCAP 2020 requirements.

Building on the recognition technology introduced with the R-Car V3H in 2018 which integrated IP for convolutional neural networks (CNN), the updated R-Car V3H preserves full hardware and software compatibility but delivers four times the performance for CNN processing compared to the earlier version and achieves up to overall 7.2 TOPS throughput, including 3.7 TOPS for CNN functions, with optimised performance-to-power balance.

By supporting safety goals up to ASIL C in the real-time control domain, the design of the R-Car V3H removes the need for an external safety microcontroller (MCU) to manage sensor fusion and final-decision actions. Designed to support ASIL B goals in the sensor layer and on-chip applications processors, the SoC can be incorporated into systems that require ASIL D certification at the system level.

The R-Car V3H features a suite of IPs that support the perception stack, and enable sensor fusion involving radar, Lidar and cameras, as well as integrating a full set of automotive peripherals including CAN, Ethernet AVB, and Flexray.

Mass production of the updated R-Car V3H is planned for first quarter of 2022.

A global leader in microcontrollers, analogue, power, and SoC products, Renesas provides solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT applications.

http://www.renesas.com/r-car-V3H

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Smart Sensors’ smart approach to custom ICs and SiPs

Mon, Feb 15, 2021

Swindon Silicon Systems, a Sensata Technologies company, provides custom integrated circuits, including tyre pressure monitoring system ICs. Its custom IC sensor solutions measure pressure, temperature, position, acceleration and proximity, all of which will be highlighted at this year’s Embedded World Digital as part of the company’s focus on the industrial sector, smart sensors and the IIoT.

Its background in sensor interface application specific integrated circuits for the connected world means Swindon can help engineers design intelligent and efficient factory automation and control systems that can boost productivity, extend system life and save energy.

“Standout features of Embedded World have always been the quality of the visitors and the wide range of projects they wish to discuss with exhibitors,” said Richard Mount, Swindon’s sales and marketing director. “We look forward to engaging with visitors to learn about their needs and to demonstrate how, as an end-to-end custom IC solutions company, our close partnership and collaboration with customers throughout the entire design and production process sets us apart from other suppliers.”

Smart sensors function by sensing, measuring, processing and interpreting and Swindon specialises in incorporating these functions into a mixed signal application specific integrated circuit or a system in package solution which the company states provides “many advantages and performance enhancements for the smart sensor over traditional discrete component-level solutions”. The company will use the show’s digital platform to explain how enhancing a product with a customer specific IC can provide a number of advantages including greater functionality, smaller size and lower overall cost.

A custom IC solution can also reduce a user’s inventory and bill of materials, protecting the originator’s intellectual property and provide longevity of their product life through non-obsolescence assurances. This is in sharp contrast to a solution manufactured using mainly standard components that are often made obsolete once the part is no longer sold in high enough volume by the supplier, says Swindon.

Embedded World Digital 2021, a virtual event, runs from March 1 to 5 2021

http://www.sensata.com

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New P-channel mosfets offer withstand voltages of -40V/-60V

Thu, Feb 11, 2021

From Rohm comes a 24-model line-up of -40V/-60V withstand voltage P-channel mosfets available in single and dual configurations for industrial and consumer applications, such as factory automation, robotics and air conditioning systems.

Mosfets are expected to provide low ON resistance as well as high withstand voltages. There are two types – N-channel and P-channel. Although N-channel types generally feature higher efficiency when used in the high side, a gate voltage higher than the input voltage is needed, complicating circuit configuration. P-channel mosfets can be driven with a gate voltage lower than the input voltage, helping to simplify circuit configuration while reducing design load.

Against this backdrop, Rohm developed low ON resistance -40V/-60V P-channel mosfets compatible with 24V input, using advanced 5th generation refined process. Rohm states that these new products leverage refined process technology to achieve the lowest ON resistance per unit area in their class.

This translates to 62 per cent lower ON resistance versus conventional products for -40V new products and 52 per cent for the -60V new products.
At the same time, quality is improved by optimising the device structure and adopting a new design that mitigates electric field concentration.

As a result, both high reliability and low ON resistance, which are typically in a trade-off relationship, are achieved. These solutions contribute to stable long-term operation in industrial equipment demanding exceptional quality.
Rohm continues to develop a variety of packages for a range of applications, including products optimised for the automotive sector. In addition to these 5th gen P-channel mosfets and by way of strengthening its line-up for 5G base stations and data centre servers, where there is growing demand, the company is developing higher efficiency N-channel mosfets. These products contribute to reducing application design load while increasing higher efficiency and reliability, says Rohm.

http://www.rohm.com/eu

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