Microchip Technology, a provider of smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions, has announced a new integrated actuation power solution for the aviation industry.
This solution combines companion gate driver boards with Hybrid Power Drive (HPD) modules in silicon carbide or silicon technology, offering a power range of 5 kVA to 20 kVA. The solution is designed to support the industry’s transition to More Electric Aircraft (MEA).
The integrated actuation power solution maintains a consistent footprint regardless of power output. The companion gate driver boards are designed to work with Microchip’s HPD modules, providing a comprehensive motor drive solution for the electrification of systems such as flight controls, braking, and landing gear. The power solutions can be scaled based on the requirements of the end 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 aircraft.
These devices are tested to conditions outlined in DO-160, “Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.” They include multiple protection features such as shoot-through detection, short circuit protection, desaturation protection, Under Voltage Lock Out (UVLO), and active miller clamping.
The gate driver boards are designed to be driven with external PWM signals based on Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) compliant with TIA/EIA-644 for low Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and good noise immunity. The gate driver board provides differential outputs for telemetry signals like DC bus current, phase current, and solenoid current by taking feedback from shunts present in the HPD module and DC bus voltage. It also provides direct output of two PT1000 temperature sensors available in the HPD power module.
The companion gate driver boards are low-weight, low-profile, and compact solutions designed to optimize the size and power efficiency of actuation systems. They are designed to operate throughout the temperature range of −55°C to +110°C, which is critical for aviation applications, often exposed to harsh environments.
The isolated companion gate driver boards only require a single 15V DC input for the control and drive circuit; additional voltages needed can be generated on the card. This significantly reduces the number of system components and simplifies system cabling.
“We developed the companion gate driver boards to be used with our existing HPD modules to bring to market a plug-and-play power solution for MEA,” said Leon Gross, vice president of Microchip’s discrete product group. “With this solution, customers no longer need to design and develop their own drive circuitry, which can reduce design time, resources, and cost.”
