Microchip Announces On-Board Charger Solution for EVs
June 12, 2024
News
Microchip Technology recently announced an On-Board Charger (OBC) solution that is designed to use a selection of the company’s automotive-qualified digital, analog, connectivity and power devices, including the dsPIC33C Digital Signal Controller (DSC), the MCP14C1 isolated SiC gate driver and mSiC MOSFETs in an industry-standard D2PAK-7L XL package.
The market for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) continues to grow as the push towards decarbonization requires sustainable solutions to reduce emissions. For these more sustainable vehicle types, the on-board charger is obviously a critical application.
The company says its solution is designed to increase an OBC system’s efficiency and reliability by leveraging the dsPIC33 DSC’s advanced control functions, the MCP14C1 gate driver’s high-voltage reinforced isolation with robust noise immunity and the mSiC MOSFETs’ reduced switching losses and improved thermal management capabilities. To further simplify the supply chain for customers, Microchip said it will provide the technologies that support the other functions of an OBC, including communication interfaces, security, sensors, memory and timing.
To accelerate system development and testing, Microchip reportedly now offers a flexible programmable solution with ready-to-use software modules for Power Factor Correction (PFC), DC-DC conversion, communication and diagnostic algorithms. The software modules in the dsPIC33 DSC are designed to optimize performance, efficiency and reliability, while offering flexibility for customization and adaptation to specific OEM requirements, according to the release.
“Microchip established an E-Mobility megatrend team with dedicated resources to support this growing market, so in addition to providing the control, gate drive and power stage for an OBC, we can also provide customers with connectivity, timing, sensors, memory and security solutions,” said Joe Thomsen, Corporate VP, digital signal controller business unit at Microchip. “As a leading supplier to OEMs and Tier-1s, Microchip offers comprehensive solutions to streamline the development process, including automotive-qualified products, reference designs, software and global technical support.”
Key components of the solution
The dsPIC33C DSC is AEC-Q100 qualified and features a high-performance DSP core, high-resolution Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) modules and high-speed Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), making it optimal for power conversion applications.
The MCP14C1 isolated SiC gate driver is AEC-Q100 qualified and is offered in SOIC-8 wide-body package supporting reinforced isolation and SOIC-8 narrow-body supporting basic isolation. Compatible with the dsPIC33 DSC, the MCP14C1 is optimized to drive mSiC MOSFETs via Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO) for VGS = 18V gate drive split output terminals, which simplifies implementation and eliminates the need for an external diode.
The mSiC MOSFET in an AEC-Q101-qualified D2PAK-7L XL surface mount package includes five parallel source sense leads to reduce switching losses, increase current capability and decrease inductance. This device supports 400V and 800V battery voltages.
Development Tools
The dsPIC33C DSC is an AUTOSAR-ready device and is supported by the MPLAB development ecosystem including MPLAB PowerSmart™ Development Suite.
Availability
The main components for an OBC solution including the dsPIC33C DSC, the MCP14C1 isolated SiC gate driver and the mSiC MOSFET in a D2PAK-7L XL package are now available.
Ken Briodagh is a writer and editor with two decades of experience under his belt. He is in love with technology and if he had his druthers, he would beta test everything from shoe phones to flying cars. In previous lives, he’s been a short order cook, telemarketer, medical supply technician, mover of the bodies at a funeral home, pirate, poet, partial alliterist, parent, partner and pretender to various thrones. Most of his exploits are either exaggerated or blatantly false.
