According to media reports, Texas Instruments has launched its first intelligent power module (IPM) and the industry's first 650V three-phase gallium nitride (GaN) IPM for 250W motor drive applications. The new GaN IPM solves many of the design and performance issues engineers typically face when designing large home appliances and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In addition, the new GaN IPM achieves inverter efficiency of more than 99%. According to the latest survey report, 81% of respondents said that their primary concern when choosing consumer electronics is efficiency, followed by cost, size and reliability.
Texas Instruments' GaN IPM addresses the efficiency concerns that users are most concerned about, with an integrated device that achieves more than 99% inverter efficiency and improved thermal performance by integrating Texas Instruments' GaN technology, with a 50% reduction in power loss compared to existing solutions. In addition, the high level of integration combined with high efficiency allows the solution to be reduced by up to 55% and eliminates the need for external heat sinks. Texas Instruments says it also provides optimized acoustic performance and reduced system costs.
The head of Texas Instruments said that current energy efficiency standards are becoming more stringent, and designers in various countries are trying to cater to these standards in support of global environmental and sustainability goals. He also said that the main challenge for engineers is how to design small motor drives that are more reliable, more energy-efficient and less costly. He added that many technology solutions need to be weighed against one or more of the most important trade-offs for consumers, and the new GaN IPM from Texas Instruments will enable designers to meet these challenges and design motor drive systems that meet all consumer expectations, operate efficiently while reducing system costs.
Pictured: Texas Instruments' new GaN IPM
Thanks to GaN technology, the new GaN IPM offers high power density in a 12×12mm QFN package, which will be the industry's smallest IPM for 150 W to 250 W motor drive applications. The DRV7308 is also reported to have the industry's lowest dead time and lowest propagation delay, both of which are less than 200 nanoseconds, enabling higher pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching frequencies to reduce audible noise and system vibration. Combined with higher power efficiency and integration, DRV7308 also reduces motor heat generation, improving reliability and extending system life. Compared to current IGBT and MOSFET solutions, this motor drive inverter PCB size is up to 55% smaller. The IPM also integrates a current-sense amplifier, protection function, and inverter stage, further reducing size and cost. The life of the motor itself depends on its operating temperature; DRV7308 Higher power efficiency and functional integration reduce the heat generation of the motor, which can improve reliability and extend the life of the system.
Pre-production quantities of DRV7308 GaN IPMs are available in 12 × 12mm, 60-pin QFN packages, starting at $5.50 for 1,000 units. Texas Instruments is currently developing additional GaN IPMs to meet the needs of higher and lower power applications.
