EPC releases EPC9196
The EPC9196 is a 25 ARMS, 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter optimised for 96–150 V battery applications
Efficient Power Conversion (EPC), the specialist in enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN) power devices has released the EPC9196, a high-performance 25 ARMS, 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter reference design powered by the EPC2304 eGaN FET. The EPC9196 is designed for medium-voltage (96 V – 150 V) battery-powered motor drive applications. This includes steering systems in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), traction motors in compact autonomous vehicles, and precision motor joints in robotics.
The EPC9196 is said to fill an important gap in the motor drive reference design landscape. With no other available reference designs operating at this voltage and current combination, EPC is said to offer system designers a compact, efficient, and ready-to-deploy solution that accelerates development and optimizes system performance in the lower end of the 25–400 ARMS application range.
At the heart of the EPC9196 is the EPC2304, a 200 V-rated, 3.5 mΩ (typical) eGaN FET in a thermally enhanced QFN package. Chosen for its impressively low RDS(on) and high performance in compact form factors, the EPC2304 enables the EPC9196 to deliver up to 35 Apk (25 ARMS) phase current at switching frequencies up to 100 kHz. This performance translates to low switching losses, minimal dead time, and a smooth, low-noise motor drive profile even at high PWM speeds, according to EPC.
Key features of the EPC9196 include:
- Wide input voltage range from 30 V to 170 V
- Integrated gate drivers, housekeeping power, current and voltage sense, over-current protection, and thermal monitoring
- Compatible with multiple motor drive controller platforms from Microchip, ST, TI, and Renesas
- dv/dt control optimized for motor drive applications (<10 V/ns)
- Ready for sensorless or encoder-based control configurations
The EPC9196 has been validated in real-world conditions, powering a 3-kW servo motor at 150 VDC and 60 kHz switching frequency. The design delivers clean waveforms with minimal ringing and demonstrates impressive thermal behaviour with and without a heatsink, making it suitable for both bench evaluation and production-intent prototyping.
“With the introduction of the EPC9196, we’re enabling engineers working in robotics, AGVs, and compact EVs to take full advantage of GaN’s superior performance without redesigning for high current,” said Marco Palma, director of motor drive systems and applications at EPC.
Price and Availability
The EPC9196 reference design boards are priced at $812.50
The EPC2304 is priced at $3.68/ea in 3Ku reels.
Reference design boards and devices are available for immediate delivery from Digi-Key at https://www.digikey.com/en/supplier-centers/epc
Read more news about EPC here: EPC – CIE
