Microchip Technology Inc. announced on April 18th the launch of a new integrated actuator power solution. This new solution combines companion gate driver boards with our expanded Hybrid Power Drive (HPD) modules using either silicon carbide or silicon technology, with a power range from 5 kVA to 20 kVA.
Regardless of the power output, the new integrated actuator power solution maintains the same base. The companion gate driver boards can be integrated with Microchip's HPD modules to provide an integrated motor drive solution for electrification of systems such as flight controls, braking, and landing gear. Microchip's power solutions can be scaled according to the requirements of the final application, from smaller actuation systems for drones to high-power actuation systems for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, MEA, and all-electric planes.
Leon Gross, Vice President of Microchip's Discrete Products Division, stated, "The companion gate driver boards we have developed can be used in conjunction with our existing HPD modules to provide plug-and-play MEA power solutions to the market. With this solution, customers no longer need to design and develop their own drive circuits, reducing design time, resources, and costs."
These high-reliability devices are tested under conditions compliant with DO-160 "Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment" and feature various protection functions including breakdown detection, short-circuit protection, desaturation protection, undervoltage lockout (UVLO), and active miller clamping.
The gate driver circuit board is driven by an external PWM signal based on low-voltage differential signals (LVDS) that comply with the TIA/EIA-644 standard, providing low electromagnetic interference (EMI) and good noise immunity. The gate driver board obtains feedback from the shunt and direct bus voltage in the HPD module to provide differential outputs for telemetry signals such as bus current, phase current, and solenoid current. It also offers direct outputs for two PT1000 temperature sensors in the HPD power module.
The companion gate driver board is a lightweight, compact solution with a small footprint that optimizes the size and efficiency of actuation systems. The gate driver operates in a temperature range of -55°C to +110°C, crucial for aviation applications frequently exposed to harsh environments.
The isolated companion gate driver board requires only a 15V DC input for controlling and driving circuits; all other required voltages are generated on the board. This significantly reduces the number of system components and simplifies system wiring.
By integrating power products with FPGAs, microcontrollers, security features, memory, and timers, Microchip provides a comprehensive solution for MEA. Microchip's solutions are designed to help customers accelerate development, reduce costs, and enter the market faster.