Easy start with MOSFET technology in drives applications

With its CoolSiC MOSFET Modular Application Design Kit (MADK) boards Infineon Technologies assists in further decreasing time to market in this important segment. As part of the MADK platform for motors of up to 7.5kW, the evaluation board EVAL-M5-IMZ120R-SIC is a three-phase inverter board targeted at servo drive applications. The company provides details about schematics (PDF), parts (Excel), layout (Gerber), and design package (Altium) as a download package from the company’s website. In this way, the board can also assist as a reference design aiding the design process.

For servo drive applications, silicon carbide decreases semiconductor power losses by up to 80%. Making use of this technology can provide zero maintenance of drives since fans may not be required for cooling. Furthermore, it enables the integration of motor and drive with less complex cabling, making inverter cabinets redundant. The board was produced to support customers through their first steps designing applications with the CoolSiC MOSFET 1200V in discrete packages and EiceDRIVER 1200V isolated gate driver. The assembled discrete has a rated blocking voltage of 1200V at a typical on-state resistance of 45mOhm, the board supports all CoolSiC MOSFETs in three-pin and four-pin TO247 packages.

The evaluation board integrates a three-phase rectifier EMI filter, current sensors, and protection features plus thermal management and heatsink. All relevant analog and control signals are readily accessible with test pads. To assure precise measurements, the signals are isolated from the power part. The board is provided with a 32-pin interface connector for all control signals, this M5 connector is fitted to the controller board XMC DriveCard 4400. In combination, evaluation and control board make the motor run with small effort and within a short period.