High Efficiency Enabled by MCU Agnostic BLDC IC Family

The latest BLDC ICs from Power Integrations are revolutionizing the world of inverter technology. These innovative ICs come equipped with high- and low-side drivers and advanced FREDFETs featuring integrated lossless current sensing, resulting in an impressive inverter efficiency of up to 99 percent. One of the standout features of the new BridgeSwitch-2 ICs is the IHB architecture, which effectively eliminates hot spots, providing increased design flexibility, reliability, and significant reductions in component count and PCB area.

Moreover, the BridgeSwitch-2 is complemented by Power Integrations’ MotorXpert™ software suite, which includes modules for single-phase trapezoidal control and three-phase sensor-less Field Oriented Control (FOC). This comprehensive software support accelerates inverter development, making it easier for engineers to optimize motor performance and functionality.

Cristian Ionescu-Catrina, the product marketing manager at Power Integrations, highlighted the energy-saving benefits of the BridgeSwitch-2 ICs, stating that the low standby consumption of motor drives based on these ICs enables designers to comply with the latest EU ERP regulations. In addition, Ionescu-Catrina emphasized the superior efficiency of BridgeSwitch-2 ICs compared to IGBT based IPMs, making them a compelling choice for a wide range of applications.

BridgeSwitch-2 ICs cater to a power range of 30 to 746 W (1 HP), making them suitable for various applications such as heat exchanger fans, refrigerator compressors, fluid pumps, and more. The IHB architecture significantly reduces component count and PCB space, enhancing overall efficiency. With built-in DC overvoltage protection and current limits, these ICs ensure the safety and reliability of the inverter system without relying on external software.

For engineers looking to explore the capabilities of BridgeSwitch-2, a 150 W reference design and design report, RDK-974, are available for free download on Power Integrations’ website. With its cutting-edge features and robust performance, BridgeSwitch-2 is set to redefine the landscape of BLDC motor control and drive technology.