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Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) have reached an important milestone in electric vehicle (EV) technology. They have successfully tested a new method that integrates a current sensor into power modules for EV traction inverters and DC-DC converters. This advancement aims to make these vital parts smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient, especially for high-current systems using advanced silicon carbide (SiC) power devices.
Key Highlights
- AKM and SAL have added a current sensor to EV power modules.
- The technology boosts energy efficiency and supports compact, lightweight designs.
- It excels in high-current applications with SiC power devices.
- It meets the rising demand for smaller, high-precision current sensing solutions.
- AKM’s EZ232L linear Hall IC drives this innovation with top accuracy.
- It improves traction inverters, essential for EV performance.
Traction inverters are central to an EV’s electric drive system. They transform direct current (DC) from the battery into alternating current (AC) to run the motors. Accurate current sensing is critical for smooth and efficient operation, whether the vehicle is moving slowly or speeding up quickly.
With the EV market expanding, there’s a growing need for compact and efficient power systems. Older methods using magnetic cores can be large and less accurate. By embedding a coreless current sensor into the power module, AKM and SAL tackle these issues directly.
The key to this progress is AKM’s EZ232L, a linear Hall IC built for coreless sensors. It delivers high resolution and precision, perfect for measuring current across a wide range.
Toshinori Takatsuka, General Manager of AKM’s current sensor business, said, “This joint effort sets a new benchmark for current sensing in power modules. Combining AKM’s skills with SAL’s research has led to this exciting outcome. We believe this technology will lead to smaller and lighter EV traction inverters.”
Thomas Langbauer, Team Lead at SAL’s Power Electronics Division, noted, “This power module is an all-in-one solution, blending cutting-edge power semiconductors, gate drivers, and current sensing. Using standard components, it offers flexibility and cost savings for smaller production runs.”
The findings will be showcased at PCIM Europe 2025, a major power electronics event in Nuremberg, Germany, starting May 6. Both companies plan to deepen their partnership, expecting a strong influence on the EV industry.
This teamwork between AKM and SAL signals a leap forward in EV technology, promising more efficient and compact power systems for manufacturers and drivers alike.
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