ROHM unveils SiC reference designs for high-power three-phase inverters

ROHM has introduced a set of new reference designs targeting three-phase inverter applications built around its latest SiC power modules. The designs aim to simplify development workflows while accelerating evaluation and implementation, the company notes.

For eeNews Europe readers working on high-efficiency power conversion — particularly in automotive and industrial systems — this announcement highlights practical tools to reduce design complexity and time-to-market when adopting SiC technology.

Reference designs target faster SiC adoption

According to the release, ROHM has launched three reference designs — REF68005, REF68006, and REF68004 — featuring EcoSiC-branded molded SiC modules in HSDIP20, DOT-247, and TRCDRIVE pack formats. The company says the designs provide ready-to-use drive circuit data, enabling engineers to develop inverter boards more efficiently.

The reference designs support output power levels up to the 300 kW class, positioning them for demanding applications such as electric vehicles and industrial motor drives. By combining these designs with ROHM’s SiC modules, designers can significantly reduce the person-hours typically required for device evaluation, according to the company.

While SiC devices are widely recognized for improving efficiency and reliability in high-power systems, they also introduce added complexity in peripheral circuitry and thermal management. ROHM’s approach here is to offload much of that engineering burden through pre-validated design resources.

Supporting tools and availability

ROHM notes that compatible SiC molded modules are already available through major online distributors, including DigiKey and Farnell, making it easier for engineers to move quickly from evaluation to prototyping.

In addition to hardware reference designs, the company is providing a broader ecosystem of support tools. These include downloadable design data, thermal design assistance, and access to the ROHM Solution Simulator, which enables system-level verification from the component selection stage. According to the release, these resources are intended to streamline component selection and accelerate development cycles.

Engineers interested in physical reference boards or evaluation kits can request them through ROHM’s sales channels, although availability is limited.

A practical path to high-efficiency power design

The introduction of these reference designs reflects a growing industry push to make SiC more accessible beyond early adopters. By packaging design expertise into reusable resources, ROHM is effectively lowering the barrier to entry for high-performance inverter development. For design teams under pressure to improve efficiency while managing complexity, this kind of support infrastructure is becoming increasingly valuable.

Engineers should take note of these reference designs as they offer a concrete way to reduce development time and risk when integrating SiC into high-power inverter systems — an area seeing rapid growth across electrification and industrial automation.