VisIC join hands with AB Mikroelektronik to drive battery development for future e-mobility

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VisIC Technologies Ltd and AB Mikroelektronik GmbH have joined forces to develop a D³GaN based high voltage solid-state battery disconnect switch for electric drive systems.

While the former is a global leader in gallium nitride (GaN) devices for automotive high-voltage applications, the latter is a major player in automotive battery disconnect switches.

The D³GaN based high voltage solid-state battery disconnect switch is to be developed with Fast Short Circuit Detection (FSCD) for future e-mobility to fulfill the functional safety requirements.

Ran Soffer, VisIC VP Sales & Marketing, said, “We are happy to collaborate with AB Mikroelektronik, which is a major player in high power automotive applications with a strong experience in solid-state battery disconnect switches. This is a big advantage in developing the next step for a 400V battery switch.”

He added: “Our effort to constantly serve our customers is raising the bar for high voltage, high current solutions for the EV market. Our focus for the EV industry using the D3GaN technology is enabling the future electric-drive technology to be aligned with the market needs to reduce the electric drive cost and improve its efficiency with a reliable high voltage automotive grad technology.”

The partnership will benefit from the D³GaN capability of fast switching in safety-critical applications.

Detect and disconnect

In case of a short circuit in the high voltage bordnet, it is compulsory to identify and disconnect the battery at the earliest.

This demands a very fast power switch and manage the short current until the short circuit is detected and disconnected.

Dr. Louis Costa, AB Mikroelektronik GmbH Head of Advanced Development, said, “AB Mikroelektronik experience in high power integration using thick-film aluminum circuit boards and 48V battery disconnect switches will allow fast transfer to a high-voltage prototype.”

The combo of VisIC D³GaN power switches with very low switching times and the VisIC’s FSCD patented circuit meets the demands to achieve a reliable high voltage, high current battery disconnect switch, and also to support the functional safety implementation in HV battery disconnect application.

(With inputs from Automotive Lead Research Team)

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