The EV market thrives, and expanding charging stations help reduce emissions, promoting EV adoption over traditional vehicles. With ongoing advancements in EV charging systems, addressing factors like power, size, and price, the issue of range anxiety for EV owners is gradually resolved.
Higher power level and power density
Advancements in power levels and density drive DC chargers to reduce charging times and improve efficiency by increasing voltage levels. SiC technologies play a crucial role in supporting these trends, while power integrated modules (PIM) offer benefits such as compactness, superior thermal management, reliability, and manufacturability. Higher switching frequencies with WBG enable more compact and lightweight systems.
Topologies overview for three-phase PFC and DC-DC stages
In the market, various topologies are employed for three-phase PFC and DC-DC stages. Common PFC topologies include the unidirectional three-switch Vienna, NPC, A-NPC, T-NPC, and the bi-directional six-switch configuration. For DCDC stages, full bridge, phase-shift LLC, and Dual Active Bridge (DAB) architectures are commonly used. These architectures involve two-level and three-level systems, requiring switches and power diodes with voltage ratings of 600 V–650 V or 900–1200 V. SiC-based power modules are increasingly preferred, while IGBT or hybrid solutions serve as alternatives.
SiC power integrated modules (PIM) optimized for Fast DC EV Charging
A dedicated new off-the-shelf family of PIMs is being released for fast DC EV charging with SiC 1200V and 900V breakdown voltage ratings. Half bridge and full bridge topologies in F1 and F2 packages exhibiting notably low RDSon (6mΩ – 40 mΩ), superior thermal performance and excellent reliability with the patented SiC termination structure developed by onsemi. Furthermore, alternative configurations are possible for specific project requirements.
Wired and wireless communications
Seamless connectivity options for charging synchronization between the charger and the vehicle are determined by established protocols. CHAdeMO utilizes CAN, while CCS utilizes PLC as the bus, specifically the HomePlug Green PHY with dedicated controllers. Additional communication methods within the power stage, such as CAN, PLC, RS485, are at the discretion of the OEM, while external connectivity options include BLE, Wifi4/6, LTE, and RF, with the exception of the HomePlug Green PHY.
Energy Storage Systems (ESS) integration and solar power
Integration of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and utilization of solar power enhance Fast and Ultrafast charging stations. These stations can incorporate storage systems to harness energy during off-peak hours or from solar sources, optimizing the charging station's operational time. In such scenarios, DC-DC converters can connect to a high voltage bus to charge EVs efficiently.
Industry: Energy Infrastructure – DV EV Charger
Applications:
- DC Wallbox (20 kW-30 kW)
- Fast DC chargers (50 kW – 150 kW)
- Ultrafast DC Chargers (150 kW – over 400 kW)
The NCP12711 is a fixed-frequency, peak-current-mode PWM controller containing all of the features necessary for implementing single-ended power converter topologies. The device operates from 4 V to 45 V without auxiliary winding and within its thermal capabilities. The controller contains a programmable oscillator capable of operating from 100 kHz to 1 MHz and integrates slope compensation to prevent subharmonic oscillations. The controller includes a programmable soft-start, input voltage UVLO protection, and an over-power protection (OPP) circuit which limits the total power capability of the circuit as the input voltage increases.
Features
- Wide 4 - 45 V Input Range
- 100kHz to 1MHz
- 1 A Source / Sink Gate Driver
- Output OVP Fault Interface
Benefits
- Limits Total Power Capability
- Provides Thermal Protection
- Improves EMI signature
- No need for auxiliary winding
- For PSR and non-isolated DC/DC converters
Market & Focus Applications
- Single−ended Flyback and Forward Converters for Electric Vehicles
- 4 − 45 V Input DC/DC Controller for Auxiliary Power
The NCV7755 is an automotive-grade integrated driver with eight high-side switches. The device provides drive capability up to 700mA per channel and is protected for overload and over temperature conditions. The output control and diagnostics reporting are via SPI. Additionally, INx pins can be mapped to any of the outputs for direct drive.
Features
- Octal channel controlled via SPI or drive pins
- Limp Home Mode with auto-retry on two outputs
- Two internal independent PWM generator for LED-drive
- Power supply monitoring
- Protections
- Overcurrent
- Open Load
- Reverse Polarity
- Loss of Ground
Benefits
- Diagnostics via SPI
- Allows operation down to Vs=3V in cranking conditions
- Bulb inrush mode
- Paralleling of two outputs possible for higher
- Sleep mode for low power consumption
Market & Focus Applications
- Automotive Body Control Unit
- Relay Drive
- Bulb Drive
- LED Drive
The NCV84120 is a fully protected single channel high side driver that can be used to switch a wide variety of loads, such as bulbs, solenoids, and other actuators. The device incorporates advanced protection features such as active inrush current management, overtemperature shutdown with automatic restart and an overvoltage active clamp. A dedicated Current Sense pin provides precision analog current monitoring of the output as well as fault indication of short to VD, short circuit to ground and OFF state open load detection. An active high Current Sense Enable pin allows all diagnostic and current sense features to be enabled.
Features
- 41V, Rdson 120mΩ, Io typ 18A
- Low Quiescent current
- In-Rush Current Management
- Thermal Shutdown with Auto Restart
- Integrated Clamps for Over-voltage protection and Inductive Load Switching
- Over-current protection
- Analog Current Sense
- Diagnostic Features
Benefits
- Higher reliability and damage prevention
- Short to VD, short to GND, OFF state open load
- Limits the current under short circuit conditions
- Accurate Current Monitoring
Market & Focus Applications
- Motor drivers
- Relay drivers and relay replacements
- Solenoid and valves lighting
- Body Control Module
- Smart Junction Boxes
- Door Control Module
The NCP731 device is based on unique combination of features – very low noise, low quiescent current, fast transient response and high input and output voltage ranges. The NCP731 LDO regulator designed for up to 38 V input voltage and 150 mA output current. Very low noise (8 µVRMS) makes this device an ideal solution for applications where clean voltage rails are critical for system performance (power operational amplifiers, analog-to-digital / digital to-analog converters and other precision analog circuitry). The device (version B) implements power good circuit (PG) which indicates that output voltage is in regulation. This signal could be used for power sequencing or as a microcontroller reset. Internal short circuit and over temperature protections saves the device against overload conditions.
Features
- Operating Input Voltage Range: 2.7 V to 38 V
- Output Voltage Adj Range: 1.2 V to 35 V
- Very Low Noise: 8 µVRMS (10 Hz to 100 kHz)
- Low Quiescent Current: 48 µA typ
- Low Dropout: 230 mV typ. at 150 mA
- Output Voltage Accuracy ±0.6%
- Power Good Output with Programmable Delay (Version B)
- Stable with Small 1 µF Ceramic Capacitors
- Soft Start Input pin
Applications
- Supply Rails for OpAmps, ADCs, DACs
- Supply Rails for Precision Analog Circuitry
- Supply Rails for Audio Circuitry
- Post DC−DC Converter Regulation
- Ripple Filtering
The NCIV9311 is a galvanically isolated bi-directional, high-speed three-channel digital isolator with output enable. This device supports isolated communications between systems without conducting ground loops or hazardous voltages. It utilizes galvanic off-chip ceramic capacitor isolation technology and optimized IC design to achieve high insulation and high noise immunity, high common mode rejection and power supply rejection specifications. The thick ceramic substrate yields capacitors with ~25 times the dielectric thickness compared to other technologies. The result is a combination of the electrical performance benefits that digital isolators offer with the safety reliability of a >0.5 mm thick insulation barrier similar to what has historically been offered by Optocouplers.
Features
- Ceramic Capacitor Isolation (>400µm thick)
- Data Rate: up to 15 Mbps
- Multi-Channel bi-directional
- Propagation Delay 16ns typ, @5V Pulse Distortion 3ns typ
- Full-Duplex
- Isolation Voltage: >5kV(rms), 1 minute
- Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) > 600
- AEC-Q101 certification
- SO-16 Wide Body Package
Benefits
- CMTI > 100kV/µs (150kV/µs typical)
- >8mm creepage / clearance
- Meets EN60950 >0.4mm DTI req.
- Double Protection Status for UL1577 Better Long-Term Reliability (500+ hrs. on sustained 5.5kVACrms)
- Mbps vs. 25 Mbps
Market & Focus Applications
- Automotive / Industrial
- PWM Control (isolated control for non-isolated gate driver)
- Digital Communications
- On Board Charger Isolation (Comm/Diagnostics)
PIM
SiC MOSFET
SiC Diode
IGBT
Gate driver