Fairchild improves energy efficiency and reliability in motor control apps

USA: Electric motor drive systems (EMDS) are the single largest user of electrical power and account for twice as much energy usage when compared to lighting applications.

By 2030, the demand associated with electric motors is expected to more than double. The associated CO2 emissions are expected to increase by more than 40 percent. In the European Union, new regulatory initiatives including the Eco-design Directive and the Electric Motor Regulations, are intended to ban energy-inefficient electric motors, and to further achieve the goals of creating environmental sustainability, and reduce CO2 emissions.

At PCIM 2013, 14-16 May, in booth 9-436 at Nuremberg Messe, Nuremberg, Germany, Fairchild Semiconductor, a leading global supplier of high performance power and mobile semiconductor solutions will focus on motion control applications.

Efficiency, reliability, and thermal performance, along with reducing noise and board space and ease of design, are critical challenges for motor control architectures. Designers commonly choose AC Induction Motors (ACIM), brushed and brushless DC, stepper and Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMSM) to meet these challenges. However, choosing the right components for the system is also critical to the success of the design.

During the show, “Fairchild in Motion” addresses these challenges with solutions that improve power efficiency and shorten time-to-market while minimizing design efforts. Demonstrations include:

3-phase motors: 3 phase AC input motor control solutions featuring SiC BJTs that offer leading efficiency and reliability; SPM® smart power modules in power conversion systems.

Single-phase AC input motors: Single-phase AC input motor solutions featuring 4kW power factor correction (PFC) using silicon carbide (SiC), as well as SPM devices.

Low/medium voltage motors: UL-certified BLDC controller that accelerates time to market and offers simplified software design for BLDC/PMSM motor control designs.

Automotive motors: Standard and customized automotive power modules for voltages ranging from 12V to 650V and currents beyond 160A.

Other demonstrations at the show include LED lighting solutions (dimmable and non-dimmable), industrial power solutions; Opto/IGBT/SiC driver boards; high density power supply solutions; PowerTrench MOSFETs and TO-Leadless (TO-LL) packages for automotive applications and DC-DC conversion demos with superior thermal regulation.