GALLIUM NITRIDE GaN inverter boosts efficiency in medium-voltage motor drives

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Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, a global player in enhancement-mode gallium nitride power devices announces the release of the EPC9196, a high-performance 25 ARMS, 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter reference design powered by the EPC2304 eGaN FET. This innovation sets a new standard for efficiency and compact design in medium-voltage motor drive applications.

The EPC9196 is specifically designed for medium-voltage (96 V – 150 V) battery-powered motor drive applications, including steering systems in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), traction motors in compact autonomous vehicles, and precision motor joints in robotics.

The EPC9196 fills a critical gap in the motor drive reference design landscape. With no other available reference designs operating at this voltage and current combination, EPC offers system designers a compact, efficient, and ready-to-deploy solution that accelerates development and optimizes system performance in the lower end of the 25–400 A_RMS application range.

At the heart of the EPC9196 is the EPC2304, a 200 V-rated, 3.5 mΩ (typical) eGaN FET in a thermally enhanced QFN package. Chosen for its exceptionally low R_DS(on) and unmatched performance in compact form factors, the EPC2304 enables the EPC9196 to deliver up to 35 Apk (25 A_RMS) phase current at switching frequencies up to 100 kHz. This performance translates to low switching losses, minimal dead time, and a smooth, low-noise motor drive profile even at high PWM speeds.

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Key features of the EPC9196 include:

• Wide input voltage range from 30 V to 170 V

• Integrated gate drivers, housekeeping power, current and voltage sense, over-current protection, and thermal monitoring

• Compatible with multiple motor drive controller platforms from Microchip, ST, TI, and Renesas

• dv/dt control optimized for motor drive applications (<10 V/ns)

• Ready for sensorless or encoder-based control configurations

The EPC9196 has been validated in real-world conditions, powering a 3-kW servo motor at 150 V_DC and 60 kHz switching frequency. The design delivers clean waveforms with minimal ringing and demonstrates excellent thermal behavior with and without a heatsink, making it suitable for both bench evaluation and production-intent prototyping.

“With the introduction of the EPC9196, we’re enabling engineers working in robotics, AGVs, and compact EVs to take full advantage of GaN’s superior performance without redesigning for high current,” said Marco Palma, Director of Motor Drive Systems and Applications at EPC.

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