GaN inverter board drives compact BLDC motors
EPC’s EPC99132 evaluation board is a GaN-based three-phase inverter for small BLDC motor drives in drones and robotic wrists. The design is built around the EPC33110, a 100-V, 20-A three-phase ePower Stage module that integrates three half bridges (six eGaN FETs), gate drivers, level shifters, and bootstrap circuitry in a 6×6.5-mm QFN package.
The EPC33110 co-packaged module requires a 5-V supply and supports 3.3-V or 5-V logic inputs. Its integrated eGaN FETs feature typical on-resistance values of 11.7 mΩ (high-side) and 13 mΩ (low-side). Performance testing demonstrated continuous current delivery of 11 ARMS per phase in a 48-V robotic joint at switching frequencies up to 100 kHz.
The EPC91132 evaluation board operates from a 10-V to 60-V DC input and integrates an MCU, regulated power supplies, DC bus voltage sensing, and current sensing. It also includes an onboard magnetic encoder for rotor position and speed control. The inverter is 23 mm in diameter, making it suitable for small drone motors.
The EPC91132 is priced at $406.25. Design support materials, including schematics, bill of materials, and Gerber files, are available for download on the product page.
The post GaN inverter board drives compact BLDC motors appeared first on EDN.
