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Infineon’s Evaluation Board Built to Anticipate SiC in Motor Drives

November 07, 2019 by Gary Elinoff

The EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC supports the design of industrial drive motor applications of up to 7.5 kW.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is now the go-to technology in power circuitry. The evaluation board EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC is the latest member of Infineon’s Modular Application Design Kit (MADK) family designed to help engineers use this vital class of power semiconductors. Specifically, Infineon claims that the board will make way for SiC in motor drive applications.

The unit features its own internal EasyPACK 1B in a typical six-pack configuration and is composed of CoolSiC MOSFETs (FS45MR12W1M1_B11). It includes a 3-phase AC connector, an EMI filter, and a rectifier. There is also a 3-phase output for connecting the motor. 

 

The EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC

The EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC. Image from Infineon

 

The new evaluation board sports Infineon’s standard M5 32-pin interface. This enables connection to control units, including the XMC Drive Card 4400 or 1300. The board also accommodates input voltages ranging from 340 to 480 VAC.

 

Supporting Applications Using FS45MR12W1M1_B11

Infineon created the new evaluation board to support customers who are in the early stages of developing applications based on the FS45MR12W1M1_B11, which is optimized for motor drive applications switching at high frequencies. The FS45MR12W1M1_B11 features a typical on-state resistance of 45 milliohms and a 1200-volt blocking voltage.

 

FS45MR12W1M1_B11

The FS45MR12W1M1_B11. Image from Infineon

 

Infineon’s nomenclature can be difficult to follow: it should be noted that the terms FS45MR12W1M1_B11, sixpack 1200-V CoolSiC MOSFET module, and EasyPACK 1B 1200V / 45 mΩ sixpack module seem to be used interchangeably.

 

The Evaluation Board

The block diagram of the Eval-M5-E1B1245N-SiC includes a line rectifier with a soft power-up circuit and an EMI filter. 

 

The block diagram for the Eval-M5-E1B1245N-SiC

The block diagram for the Eval-M5-E1B1245N-SiC. Image from Infineon

 

Notice that the device comes with its own internal FS45MR12W1M1_B11, obviating the need for developers to purchase the device separately for evaluation purposes.

 

Board Features

Some notable features of the evaluation board include: 

  • EasyPACK 1B 1200V / 45 mΩ sixpack module with CoolSiC MOSFETs 
  • NTC temperature sensing 
  • Input voltage range of 340–480 VAC
  • Max current of 16 Arms @400 VAC, Ta = 25 °C 
  • Maximum motor power output of 7.5 kW 
  • Switching frequency ranging between 18 kHz and 100 kHz
  • Insulation maintained between power and signal areas
  • Thermistor output
  • Hardware protection for overload and short circuits 
  • Hardware protection for overtemperature. (Driver stage disables at 100 °C for 30 milliseconds.)
  • All six switches turn off during protection
  • Well-designed gate driver technology, which provides stability against transient and negative voltage
  • Auxiliary power supply for 5 V (included internally)
  • PCB dimensions of 259 mm x 204 mm 
  • Lead-free terminal plating
  • RoHS compliance

 

Functional Groups of the Eval-M5-E1B1245N-SiC

This rather complex evaluation device is compartmentalized into subsections, making it easier for engineers to efficiently utilize it.

 

A compartmentalized conception of the EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC

A compartmentalized conception of the EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC. Image from Infineon

 

Key for conception of EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC

 

Final Thoughts

The overall conception of the EVAL-M5-E1B1245N-SiC can be divided into four subsections: 

  1. The converter’s input circuit
  2. The auxiliary power supply
  3. The power stage
  4. Measurements

An external controller board must be connected to the unit through the X10 driver board connector.

 


 

What's your take on SiC being implemented in motor drives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

1 Comment
  • J
    jeffl_2 November 19, 2019

    In the block diagram outputs of the current sensors go into a “DA converter” which then go to other places.
    It seems as if the current sensors emit analog signals and the receiving ports are looking for digital signals
    so this was probably an error and that block should probably be an A/D converter?

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