High-bandwidth current sensor technologies enable high-performance power conversion

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. has launched its new high-bandwidth current sensors, the ACS37030 and the ACS37032, which facilitate high-performance power conversion with GaN and SiC technologies in EVs, clean energy solutions and data centre applications.

High-power-density GaN and SiC FET charging and power infrastructures demand high-speed, low-loss devices for efficiency and reliability. Existing current-sensing solutions have limited operating ranges and added size and weight, resulting in designs with additional components and larger BOMs.

To manage these challenges, the company now offers two high-bandwidth current sensors – the ACS37030 and ACS37032 – designed to provide efficiency and high performance with decreased design time and board space. They use a dual signal paths approach, with one path capturing low-frequency and DC current using Hall-effect elements and the other path capturing high-frequency current data through an inductive coil.

“Our ACS37030/2 is the first market solution capable of responding fast enough for high-speed SiC and GaN protection while also providing low-frequency content for power-conversion control,” said Matt Hein, product line manager of current sensors at Allegro. “Designers can now minimise their system footprint when using GaN and SiC architectures.”

The compact design, efficiency improvements and cost reductions of Allegro’s latest current sensors make them suitable for high-frequency switching in power electronic systems while offering the following benefits to designers:

Efficient and rapid management of high-switching frequencies and thermal conditions for high voltages and currents: Delivers fast response times that provide critical protection and higher efficiency through minimised energy loss and thermal dissipation.

Ability to achieve stable and safe control while reducing electromagnetic interference: Has a 2% sensitivity error over temperature, while the inductive coil properties increase the SNR as frequency increases, minimising noise and simplifying electromagnetic compatibility.

Reduced design footprint, providing system reliability and protection: Offered in a compact and efficient fused-lead SOIC-6 package that can withstand harsh automotive and industrial environments, enabling reliability and protection.

Balances cost considerations while minimising design complexity: Simplifies designs and facilitates easy-to-design, cost-optimised, high-power, high-frequency switching power conversion for GaN and SiC devices.