TI reduces size of 48V motor drive systems for sleeker mild HEVs
A grade 0 brushless direct current (BLDC) motor driver by Texas Instruments (TI) claims to offer the industry’s highest gate drive current. It also helps enable mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) to reduce the size of 48V motor drive systems by nearly a third (30 percent).
The DRV3255-Q1 motor driver is designed according to TI’s TÜV SÜD-certified functional safety development process, helping enable up to Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) D.
MHEVs use 48V motor drive systems to help reduce emissions from a vehicle’s internal combustion engine. The DRV3255-Q1 is the industry’s first three-phase, 48V BLDC motor driver to integrate high- and low-side active short-circuit logic, says TI. This integration eliminates external transistors and control logic. By integrating the active short circuit logic and dynamic fault response, the motor driver enables designers to simplify designs while supplying up to 30kW of motor power, reduce board space and bill of materials cost in 48V motor drive systems, says TI.
Active short circuit logic allows system designers the flexibility to arrange MOSFET connections based on system needs, and to help prevent over-voltage events. The dynamic fault response automatically switches the motor driver to active short circuit mode in over-voltage conditions, which protects the vehicle’s motor and electrical components from over-voltage stress while optimising system performance.
The DRV3255-Q1 can also improve response times while protecting 48V systems from harsh environments. It supplies what are claimed to be the industry’s highest output power levels to improve 48V motor drive system response times. As a result, drivers, even in heavy SUVs and lorries can accelerate more quickly after stopping. For motors requiring up to 600A, the DRV3255-Q1 provides the industry’s highest gate drive current, which can directly drive up to 1,000nC gate charge MOSFETs, added TI.
The AEC-Q100 Grade 0 motor driver protects 48V powertrain systems from switching transients as high as 95V and load dump conditions at a wide temperature range of -40 to +150 degrees C and eliminate the need for protection circuitry.
The DRV3255-Q1 includes built-in safety mechanisms and documentation such as failure modes, effects and diagnostic analysis and a functional safety manual. There are also safety mechanisms for the device’s internal failure modes, the digital I/O pins withstand up to 75V absolute maximum ratings to protect the DRV3255-Q1 against an external 12V power supply over-voltage.
The DRV3255-Q1 is available now in a 64-pin quad flat package. Full and custom quantity reels are available now.
