Integrated Class 0 BLDC Motor Driver Reduces Size of Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) 48V Motor Drive Systems by Up to 30%

     Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced a highly integrated Class 0 brushless DC (BLDC) motor driver for 48V high power motor control systems such as traction inverters and starter generators for mild hybrid electric vehicles. The DRV3255-Q1 helps designers reduce the size of motor systems by up to 30% while delivering higher gate drive currents for better protection and higher output power. The new motor driver is designed in accordance with Texas Instruments' TÜV SÜD-certified functional safety development process, meeting more stringent safety requirements and meeting the automotive safety integrity level of ASIL D.

     To help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, automakers are ramping up production of mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs). The mild-hybrid electric vehicle uses a 48V electric motor drive system, which is beneficial to reduce the gas emissions of the vehicle's internal combustion engine. Manufacturers can utilize Texas Instruments' functional safety compliant DRV3255-Q1 to design motor drive systems to achieve ASIL D-compliant mild-hybrid electric vehicle systems that deliver up to 30kW of motor power, reducing the need for 48V motor drives in heavy-duty vehicles. system response time.

     “The 48V system is a transformative technology that can help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) meet emission reduction targets, provide more power for advanced driver assistance systems, and manage high power-consuming loads such as HVAC systems,” Strategy Asif Anwar, Head of Powertrain, Body, Chassis and Safety Services at Analytics, said, "Combining advanced performance features with functional safety and AEC-Q100's Grade 0 standards provides system-level operational benefits in practice, helping OEMs achieve these goals."

     The DRV3255-Q1 is an advanced three-phase 48V BLDC motor driver that integrates high-side and low-side active short-circuit logic, eliminating the need for external transistors and control logic. By integrating active short-circuit logic and dynamic fault response, this new motor driver not only helps designers simplify their designs, but also provides up to 30kW of motor power while reducing board space and bill-of-materials costs for 48V motor-drive systems.

     The active short-circuit logic feature allows system designers the flexibility to place metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) connections according to system requirements and prevent catastrophic system failures due to overvoltage. In overvoltage conditions, the dynamic fault response automatically switches the motor drive into active short-circuit mode, protecting the vehicle's motor and electrical components from overvoltage stress while optimizing system performance.

     The DRV3255-Q1 has an ultra-high output power level that reduces the response time of the 48V motor drive system, so that even for heavy vehicles such as SUVs and trucks, the driver can accelerate faster after stopping. For motors requiring up to 600A, the DRV3255-Q1 provides higher gate drive currents, directly driving MOSFETs with gate charges up to 1,000nC.

     Additionally, this Automotive Electronics Council AEC-Q100 Grade 0 motor driver protects 48V powertrain systems from switching transients up to 95V over a wide temperature range (-40°C to 150°C) and load dump effects, thus eliminating the need for protection circuitry.