Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) has released the EPC9196, a 25-Arms three-phase BLDC motor drive reference design optimized for 96 to 150-V battery systems.
Designed to address the performance gap between low-voltage and high-power motor drives, the EPC9196 supports a range of emerging motion control applications, including automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic actuators, and compact traction platforms.
The inverter reference board integrates three half-bridge power stages using EPC2304 eGaN FETs (200 V, 5.0 mΩ max RDS(on)), with onboard gate drivers, phase current sensing, voltage monitoring, and thermal and overcurrent protection. Its operating range spans 30 to 170 V, with switching frequencies up to 150 kHz and optimized dv/dt control below 10 V/ns to reduce EMI and motor noise.
The EPC9196 is designed for systems that require up to 25 ARMS (35 A peak) per phase. This level of current addresses a previously underserved range in motor drive development between small low-voltage designs and large industrial-grade inverters. This lets engineers evaluate GaN-based performance under realistic load conditions.
Validated in continuous operation at 60 kHz PWM and 150 Vdc input, the EPC9196 delivers up to 13 ARMS per phase under natural convection cooling with a heatsink, and supports 25 ARMS for short transients. Top-side cooling and compatibility with industry-standard thermal interface materials make it suitable for benchtop evaluation and production-intent prototyping.
System integration is streamlined through a 40-pin controller interface compatible with motor drive platforms from Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, Renesas, and Microchip. Voltage and current signals are scaled for 3.3 V logic levels, supporting direct connection to embedded ADCs. The board includes options for hardware-based or software-monitored overcurrent protection.
By filling the mid-range gap in motor drive development, the EPC9196 enables engineers to implement GaN technology in compact, high-performance systems with demanding switching and thermal requirements.
Filed Under: Technology News