Technical Features

January 2022
High-Density Power Modules Simplify and Downsize EV Power System Design

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Figure 1: Replacing conventional, discrete power conversion with power modules throughout the vehicle provides significant cost and weight savings in EVs

­The electrification of the automobile is presenting new challenges for power system designers in achieving the highest power density at the lowest weight possible, eliminating compromises in vehicle range and overall performance. Designers of power delivery networks (PDNs) are also tasked with designing safe, effici
Date:
10/31/2024
Revolutionizing Distributed Air Gap Cores

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Figure 1. Temperature comparison @ 50 kHz single gap vs. distributed gaps

It is fascinating to learn about successful companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, HP and Harley Davidson that started in their founders’ garages. Each started as a hobby business, innovating upon decades-old technology, expertly tailoring the technology into custom solutions for their customers. Over time, th
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Date:
01/12/2022
EV Range Extension in Traction Inverters Using SiC

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Figure 1. Power conversion elements in EVs. The traction inverter converts the HV battery’s DC voltage into AC waveforms to drive the motor, which in turn propels the car

There are two major disruptions currently affecting the future of vehicular transport and semiconductor technology. We are embracing a new and exciting means to propel our vehicles cleanly with electrical power, while simultaneously re-engineering the semiconductor materials that underpin electric vehicle (EV) su
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Date:
01/01/2022
Transformerless OBCs With Three- and Single-Phase Operation

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Figure 1: The traction battery of a xEV can be charged via a DC charging station or, via the OBC, from the AC grid (a). This article focuses on AC charging, especially on transformerless OBCs to be operated at (European) three-phase grids (b) and North-American single-phase (“split-phase”) grids (c)

On-board chargers (OBCs) charge the traction batteries of electric- and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (xEVs) from the AC grid. They work at raised power levels (11 kW, 22 kW) and should be able to handle various grid forms - however, the combination of operating from European three-phase grids and North-American si
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Date:
01/01/2022
Using 5G to Grease the Wheels of Edgier, More Intelligent Automobile Domains

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Figure 1. When coupled with 5G, the accelerometer and gyroscope data fusion provide incredibly accurate location data for Vehicle-to-Vehicle systems and infrastructure

Significant developments such as the rollout of multi-gigabit 5G cellular infrastructure, real-world deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) and the deployment of edge/cloud computing have been taking place. In this article we revisit the purpose and functions of vehicle domains bef
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Date:
01/01/2022
Silicon Carbide Technology and Digital Gate Driving Pave Way for Electrification of Heavy Transport Vehicles
Among the most promising technologies in the mission to decarbonize emissions-intensive transportation vehicles are SiC-based power-management solutions supported by configurable digital gate driver technology. The high power and voltage requirements of electric vehicles (EVs) of all types, including electric
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Date:
01/01/2022
Hybrid PMIC Design Optimizes Embedded Systems Power Needs

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Figure 1: A hybrid combination of a PMIC and discretes could give the optimal balance of size, cost and performance

System power management ICs (PMIC) integrate all or almost all of the required power rails, however, individual power rails are implemented using discrete dc/dc and LDOs. The best approach will depend on particular use cases and each users’ criteria. PMICs tend to offer better performance and controllability in
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Date:
01/01/2022
Parallel or Series Operation of Switched-Mode Power Supplies

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Figure 1: Redundant operation, basic star wiring options

A single power supply is most of the time sufficient in applications connected to an AC power source. However, there are sometimes additional boundaries set to fulfill either higher power needs, system reliability, or even mechanical constraints. The connection of two or more power supplies for redundancy is im
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Date:
01/01/2022
From Cold Crank to Load Dump: A Primer on Automotive Transients

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Figure 1: Typical Automotive Electrical System

New vehicles provide infotainment systems with high-resolution displays, an enhanced user interface, and numerous connectivity options. Improved safety features include LiDAR for collision avoidance, as well as multiple cameras and sensors for driver awareness. Many of these electronic modules are connected to 12V
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Date:
01/01/2022
Rapidly Advancing Automotive Technologies Create New Challenges for RF Test and Measurement

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Figure 1. New automotive electronic systems

Automotive electronics technology continues to advance at an astounding rate, taking advantage of many of the technologies developed for aerospace, space systems, and the military. In a short amount of time, the industry has moved from basic gauges that monitor automobile systems such as fuel, speed and temperature to
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Date:
01/01/2022
Shrink the 12V Battery by Half and Maintain Cold Crank?

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Advances in safety features, comfort and infotainment systems in automobiles are escalating power requirements, challenging power systems engineers to meet the growing power demands with restrictions in weight and space. Over the last decade, the typical 12V power requirements have increased from 1.2kW to 4kW co
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Date:
01/01/2022
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