The first GaN IPM achieves a smaller, more energy efficient high voltage motor

     Texas Instruments has released the industry's first 650V three-phase GaN IPM for 250W motor drive applications. The new GaN IPM addresses many of the design and performance tradeoffs that engineers typically face when designing major home appliances and HVAC systems. The DRV7308 GaN IPM achieves more than 99% inverter efficiency, optimizes acoustic performance, reduces solution size, and reduces system costs. It was presented at the PCIM conference.

     Nicole Navinsky, manager of Texas Instruments' Motor Drive Business Unit, said: "Designers of high-voltage home appliances and HVAC systems are working to meet higher energy efficiency standards to support environmental sustainability goals worldwide. "They are also meeting consumer demand for reliable, quiet and compact systems." With TI's new GaN IPM, engineers can design motor drive systems that meet all of these expectations and operate at maximum efficiency."

     Global efficiency standards for appliances and HVAC systems such as SEER, MEPS, Energy Star and Top Runner are becoming increasingly stringent. The DRV7308 can help engineers meet these standards, using GaN technology to deliver more than 99% efficiency, improved thermal performance, and 50% lower power consumption compared to existing solutions.

     In addition, the device achieves the industry's lowest dead-time and low propagation delay, both less than 200ns, allowing for higher PWM switching frequencies that reduce audible noise and system vibration. These advantages, coupled with higher power efficiency and the integrated functionality of the device, also reduce motor heating, which improves reliability and extends the service life of the system.