TI Unveils GaN Device for Motor Energy Efficiency

TI showcased what it calls the industry's first GaN IPM for compact, energy-efficient motors at PCIM 2024 in Germany.

Texas Instruments (TI) has released what it is calling the industry's first 650 V three-phase GaN intelligent power module (IPM) designed for 250 W motor drive applications to address challenges engineers face when developing high-voltage motors for major home appliances and HVAC systems. 

The DRV7308 GaN IPM offers more than 99 percent inverter efficiency, optimized acoustic performance, reduced solution size, and lower system costs. TI introduced the innovation at the 2024 Power Conversion and Intelligent Motion (PCIM) conference in Nuremberg, Germany.

A GaN intelligent power module is a highly integrated power electronics device combining GaN power transistors with gate drivers, protection circuits, and control logic in a single compact package. These IPMs use GaN power semiconductor devices instead of traditional silicon (Si) devices. GaN transistors have superior properties like higher breakdown voltage, faster switching speeds, and lower on-resistance than Si. They are particularly efficient when used to control electric motors.

GaN intelligent power module. Image adapted using Texas Instruments and Canva

The Design Challenge

Higher energy-efficiency home appliances and HVAC systems are needed to meet emerging environmental sustainability goals worldwide. In addition, consumers demand reliable, quiet, and compact systems. TI’s GaN IPM allows engineers to design highly efficient motor drive systems that deliver on all these expectations.

System Efficiency and Reliability 

Global efficiency standards for appliances and HVAC systems, such as SEER, MEPS, Energy Star, and Top Runner, are becoming increasingly stringent and difficult to achieve. The DRV7308 GaN IPM leverages GaN technology to help engineers meet these standards, achieve over 99 percent efficiency, and improve thermal performance. According to TI, this technology reduces power losses by 50 percent compared to existing solutions.

Additionally, the DRV7308 features low dead time and propagation delay, both at industry-leading levels of less than 200 nanoseconds. These attributes enable higher pulse-width modulation switching frequencies, which reduce audible noise and system vibration. Combining higher power efficiency and integrated features also minimizes motor heating, enhancing reliability and extending the system's lifetime.

DRV7308 schematic. Image used courtesy of Texas Instruments 

Advanced Integration and High Power Density

In line with the trend toward more compact home appliances, the DRV7308 facilitates the development of smaller motor drive systems. Powered by GaN technology, this compact 12 mm by 12 mm IPM delivers high power density. It is the industry’s smallest IPM for 150 W to 250 W motor-drive applications. Due to its high efficiency, the DRV7308 also eliminates an external heat sink, resulting in up to a 55 percent reduction in motor drive inverter printed circuit board size compared to competing IPM solutions. In addition, integrating an onboard current sense amplifier, protection features, and an inverter stage further reduces solution size and cost.

GaN IPMs leverage the advantages of GaN semiconductors and high integration to provide high-performance, energy-efficiency, and compact power electronic solutions for various applications. TI’s high-efficiency, high-voltage GaN IPM represents the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, helping engineers overcome design challenges and transform motor designs. It sets a new benchmark in the industry, offering a compact, reliable, and efficient solution for modern high-voltage motor applications.