STMicroelectronics unveiled new smart power components that let home appliances and industrial drives leverage the latest GaN (gallium-nitride) technology to boost energy efficiency, increase performance, and save cost.
GaN power adapters and chargers available in the market can handle enough power for laptops and USB-C fast charging to achieve extremely high efficiency to meet stringent incoming eco-design norms. ST’s latest GaN ICs now make this technology applicable to motor drives for products like washing machines, hairdryers, power tools, and factory automation.
“Our new GaNSPIN system-in-package platform unleashes wide-bandgap efficiency gains in motion-control applications by introducing special features that optimize system performance and safeguard reliability,” said Domenico Arrigo, General Manager, Application Specific Products Division, STMicroelectronics. “The new devices enable future generations of appliances to achieve higher rotational speed for improved performance, with smaller and lower-cost control modules, lightweight form factors, and improved energy ratings.”
The first members of ST’s new family, the GANSPIN611 and GANSPIN612, can power motors of up to 400 Watts including domestic and industrial compressors, pumps, fans, and servo drives. Pin compatibility between the two devices ensures designs are easily scalable. GANSPIN611 is in production now, in a 9mm x 9mm thermally enhanced QFN package, from $4.44.
Technical notes on GaNSPIN drivers:
In the new GaNSPIN system-in-package, unlike in general-purpose GaN drivers, the driver controls turn-on and turn-off times in hard switching to relieve stress on the motor windings and minimize electromagnetic noise. The nominal slew rate (dV/dt) of 10V/ns preserves reliability and eases compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations such as the EU EMC directive. Designers can adjust the turn-on dV/dt of both GaN drivers to fine-tune the switching performance according to the motor characteristics.
