Power Electronics

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Reducing on-resistance in e-bike designs

Renesas Electronics has developed a new process technology for more efficient, 100 V silicon MOSFET transistors in e-bike designs, writes Nick Flaherty. The REXFET-1 process reduces on-resistance between the drain and source by 30% to 1.5 mO, which cuts losses and boosts efficiency.

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Coreless technology shrinks current sensor

Melexis has used a digitally controlled, coreless technology that shrinks the size of a current sensor, writes Nick Flaherty. The MLX91235 sensor eliminates the need for a ferromagnetic core, enabling the measurement of larger currents flowing through external primary conductors, including busbars.

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Littelfuse rolls out new series of dual-circuit tactile switches

Littelfuse has unveiled the C&K Switches KSC2 KSC Dual Circuit Technology (DCT) series. The latest addition to its innovative tactile switch series offers a 3.5 mm actuator height, which is lower than the KSC4 DCT at 5.2 mm. This allows it to fit into tighter spaces, providing greater design flexibility.

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Trio of auto-grade power modules offer 300 combinations

Vicor has developed three automotive-grade power modules that can be used in 300 combinations in 48 V EV systems, writes Nick Flaherty. They cover a bus converter from 800 V to 48 V, an unregulated 48 V to 12 V converter and a regulated 48 V power-supply module.

Deep Insight

Isolation technologies

Nick Flaherty investigates techniques that enable digital controllers to interface safely with high-voltage systems. As automotive designs move to electrification, high-power electronics have become critical components in new electronic drivetrain and battery systems. Communication and control from low-voltage digital devices requires electrical isolation of the high-voltage elements from the low-voltage side, covered by the extra-low voltage (SELV) regulations.

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Littelfuse launches RCMP20 Residual Current Monitor

Littelfuse has unveiled the RCMP20 Residual Current Monitor Series for Mode 2 and Mode 3 EV charging stations. The RCMP20 Series offers the largest current transformer aperture available, supporting higher AC charging currents, which is critical for modern EV chargers that demand high-performance capabilities. It also offers reliable ground-fault detection, improving charger performance and safety.

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Yokogawa releases WT1800R high-performance power analyser

Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation has released its WT1800R high-performance power analyser to boost the efficiency of complex measurements for new energy applications. The WT1800R is the only instrument in its class that guarantees a power accuracy of 0.05% of reading plus 0.05% of range, says Yokogawa, and it is capable of harmonics analysis up to the 500th order of a 50/60 Hz fundamental frequency.

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First Schottky diode for high-voltage DC links

Infineon has created the first 2000 V Schottky diode for high-voltage (HV) DC link designs, writes Nick Flaherty. The CoolSiC 2000 V G5 is the first discrete silicon-carbide diode with this breakdown voltage, making it suitable for DC links up to 1500 V with current ratings from 10-80 A. This makes it ideal for higher DC-link voltage applications.

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Molex report explores potential of 48 V systems

Molex has issued a report, Rewiring the Road: Harnessing the Power of 48 V, on the growing traction of 48 V electrical system technology, which is poised to fuel major improvements in vehicle performance, efficiency, functionality and comfort.

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A cool idea for a DC-DC

Vitesco Technologies has boosted the performance of its fifth generation automotive DC-DC converter, incorporating a move from liquid to air cooling, writes Nick Flaherty. This Vitesco Gen5+ DC-DC converter uses 650 V CoolGan transistors from Infineon Technologies to achieve an efficiency of over 96% by increasing the switching frequency from 100 kHz to 250 kHz with an energy density of 4.2 kW/l.
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