Texas Instruments introduces advanced GaN IPM to help create smaller, more energy-efficient high-voltage motors

     Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced an advanced 650V three-phase GaN IPM for 250W motor driver applications. The new GaN IPM addresses many of the design and performance tradeoffs that engineers typically face when designing large home appliances and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The DRV7308 GaN IPM achieves more than 99% inverter efficiency, optimizes acoustic performance, reduces solution size, and reduces system costs.

     "Designers of high-voltage home appliances and HVAC systems are working to achieve higher energy efficiency standards in support of global environmental sustainability goals," said Nicole Navinsky, manager of Texas Instruments' Motor Drives business unit. At the same time, they are committed to meeting consumer demand for reliable, quiet and compact systems. With Texas Instruments' new GaN IPM, engineers can design motor drive systems that meet all of these expectations and operate with outstanding efficiency."

     Energy efficiency standards for appliances and HVAC systems, such as SEER, MEPS, Energy Star and Top Runner standards, are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide. Compared to existing solutions, the DRV7308 can leverage GaN technology to achieve more than 99% efficiency, improve thermal performance, and reduce power consumption by 50%, helping engineers meet these standards.

     In addition, the DRV7308 achieves the industry's lowest dead time and low propagation delay (both less than 200ns), which allows for higher pulse width modulation (PWM) switching frequencies, thereby reducing audible noise and system vibration. These benefits are complemented by the DRV7308's higher power efficiency and integrated characteristics, which also reduce motor heating issues, thereby improving system reliability and extending service life.

     Following the trend of miniaturization of home appliances, the DRV7308 assists engineers in the development of smaller motor drive systems. Based on GaN technology, the new IPM features high power density and is available in a 12mm x 12mm package, making it the industry's ultra-small IPM for 150W to 250W motor driver applications.

     Thanks to its efficiency, the DRV7308 eliminates the need for an external radiator and reduces the size of the motor driven inverter printed circuit board (PCB) by up to 55% compared to comparable IPM solutions. In addition, the integration of the current detection amplifier, protection function and inverter level further reduces the size and cost of the solution. The high-efficiency, high-voltage GaN IPM is a Texas Instruments innovation designed to help solve engineering challenges and revolutionize motor design.