Power

Texas Instruments has created a series of precision current monitors with digital outputs, for use across power rails from  -100mV to +85V, at up to ±78.64A. In each case, an internal ΣΔ ADC measures current across an integrated sensing resistor, as well as voltage and temperature – communication with the host if via I2C. The ICs need a separate supply ...

STMicroelectronics has created its first galvanically isolated gate driver for GaN transistors. Called STGAP2GS the wide body SO-8W packaged single-channel driver can work with rails up to 1.2kV. The package is 5.8mm long by 10.3mm across pins tips, with 7.5mm between leg roots on either side of the isolation barrier. A separate supply (above), or dual supplies (left) if a ...

Nexperia has entered the IGBT market, with a 600V 30A device, to be followed by 40, 50 and 75A types. “IGBT is a relatively mature technology,” said the company. “Nonetheless, the market for these devices is expected to grow in line with the increased adoption of solar panels and electric vehicle chargers. Nexperia’s 600V IGBTs feature a carrier-stored trench-gate field-stop ...

CorPower Ocean has resumed the deployment of its commercial-scale C4 wave energy generator, following repairs at Portugal’s Aguçadoura offshore wave energy test site. Earlier this year, CorPower found cable damage at the site, recovered the cable using remotely-operated vehicles and construction vessels, and refurbished the link. “With the site infrastructure restored, CorPower Ocean has resumed the deployment programme by testing ...

ABB is focussing on companies exporting heavy equipment to the US with a series of long-life motors built to meet NEMA requirements. Constructed with NEMA 5800 (368.5mm, 14.5inch shaft height) frames, the induction motors can deliver up to 1,750 horse power. They have “high-strength welded steel frame construction usually reserved for larger motors reduces stress and vibration to ensure a ...

Würth Elektronik and STMicroelectronics are demonstrating a brushless dc motor power tool power circuit developed between them. The demo is based on the STDES-PTOOL3A evaluation board. “The Gerber files, bill of materials, schematics and all other reference materials are downloadable from ST.com without charge,” according to Wurth. From ST comes the STM32G4 (Cortex-M4) MCU, STDRIVE101 gate driver and six STL220N6F7 ...

For vehicle functional-safety applications, STMicroelectronics has combined hot-swap, soft-start and ideal-diode OR-ing in an IC intended to work with a pair of external n-channel mosfets over 4 to 65V. Called STPM801, “the ideal-diode controller drives an external mosfet replacing a Schottky diode conventionally used for reverse-input protection and output-voltage hold-up”, said ST. “When a reverse-voltage event occurs, in case of ...

Nexperia has added an 8x8mm package option, and a second 5x6mm option, to its ‘NextPower’ mosfet range which is designed to decrease spiking when switching to reduce EMI. “The Qgate.Rds(on) figure-of-merit has long been a focus for semiconductor manufacturers aiming to improve the efficiency of MOSFET switches,” according to the company. “However, relentlessly pushing this figure ever lower has had ...

Motor inverter maker Vitesco Technologies has signed a silicon carbide component supply deal with Rohm “worth over one billion US dollars until 2030”, according to the companies. This fruit was born of a development partnership started in 2020, leading to two unnamed automotive customers adopting Vitesco inverters built around Rohm SiC components, with “Vitesco supplying a first series project as ...

Tokyo Institute of Technology scientist have discovered a promising proton conductor for protonic ceramic fuel cells. Ba2LuAlO5 “has a remarkably high proton conductivity, even without any additional chemical modifications”, according to the university. Protonic ceramic fuel cells use solid proton-conducting ceramic electrolytes and operate between 300 and 600°C. This compares to over 700°C for better-established solid-oxide fuel cells – where ...