Advanced Performance with Reliability: NexGen’s Power Solutions for EVs

A Swiftly Growing Market for Electric Vehicles

The rising popularity of EVs in recent times is not merely due to consumer demand, but because of the collective effort by the governments across the world to implement more sustainable and safer ways of mobility. In 2021, we saw an indication of the rapid adoption of electric vehicles with the number of EV (BEV, PHEV) shipments exceeding 6 million units. Some experts are estimating that global EV passenger car sales could make up roughly half of all cars sold by 2030 (Figure 1).

While EV technologies and solutions have advanced significantly over the past couple of decades, there are still a few challenges that can quickly become roadblocks:

1. Range anxiety –the first EVs range was too small for people to consider
2. Performance – Early EVs just couldn’t match the power and performance of gasoline-powered vehicles.
3. Cost – EVs were/are still expensive.

Today, we do see car makers address some of these challenges, but the dream of a car that needs to be charged only once a month, is affordable for most, and doesn’t compromise on performance is still elusive. Here are some of the considerations manufacturers must keep in mind as they address these challenges:

Range – Efficiency Is Key

• Delivering higher energy from the existing battery requires higher efficiency of power systems with minimum losses

Performance – Watch Your Weight

• Reducing the weight requires:
  • Smaller/lighter batteries with higher power density modules to deliver the same performance.
  • Smaller cables that carry lower current based on higher voltage (800V) batteries.

Cost – Turn Efficiency into Savings

• Battery efficiency has a direct impact on cost. For example, a 0.1% increase in the efficiency of the powertrain can save up to $500 in battery costs.

Significantly improving range, performance, and cost essentially comes down to the limitations of power devices and systems. There are several power conversion systems in an electric vehicle. Figure 2 presents an overview of the 3 key power conversion systems in an electric vehicle along with some high-level requirements.

Reinventing automotive power electronics with NexGen Power Systems

Making real improvements to EV range, performance, and cost will take a new breed of power conversion systems. The silicon-based power technology that enabled consumer and industrial electronics in past decades is no longer sufficient for today’s advanced needs. Modern EVs require more advanced power semiconductor technology. That’s where NexGen Power Systems come in.

We have achieved a fundamental breakthrough in power semiconductors, based on NexGen Vertical GaN technology— which has allowed us to build the next generation of power systems that are based on our scalable, software-configurable power platform.

• NexGen Vertical GaN: The World’s 1^st GaN on GaN Power Semiconductor

It all starts with gallium nitride (GaN), which is inherently superior to silicon and silicon carbide when it comes to making semiconductors. They’re 95% smaller than silicon-based systems and deliver:

• Significantly lower output capacitance C_OSS substantially reduces switching losses and enables high-switching frequencies
• Superior breakdown voltage (BV) and current capability for a given chip area than any other GaN device
• Only GaN technology that can deliver BV 1.2kV and above

NexGen Vertical GaN-enabled power supplies can lower costs by reducing passive components like inductors and capacitors. The resulting power systems are not only lighter and smaller, but they are also more robust and efficient. Figure 3 summarizes the advantages of NexGen Vertical GaN over competing technologies.

• Merlin Power Engine: World’s First 1+ MHz Digital Powertrain Controller

Merlinis NexGen’s digital power systems controller for Power Factor Correction (PFC) and DC-DC LLC. This is the world’s first digital powertrain controller running at 1+MHz. Merlin runs proprietary software enabling NexGen Vertical GaN-based Power Systems with the highest efficiency. Some of the key features of Merlin include:

• Discrete time control for MHz switching of FETs
• Intelligent EMI control through spread spectrum
• Programmable, on-demand power for low-load management
• Metrology for predictive maintenance capability
• Low standby power

1. Planar magnetics

The third key element in the platform is to do with the magnetics and thermal design.

Planar Magnetics eliminate the outdated wire-wound designs enabling:

• 10x lower leakage current than current magnetic solutions
• Reduction of noise sources with predictable parasitic effects
• Excellent repeatability in manufacturing

Efficiency in thermal Design is also achieved through advanced thermal impedance management and thermal throttling.

Benefits of EV power systems with NexGen Vertical GaN-based power systems:

Now that we have seen how NexGen’s power platform enables software configurable, scalable, and highly efficient, small form-factor power systems, let us look at their benefits for the different EV power applications:

EV Power System	Benefits
On-board Charger	>94% Efficiency: Faster charge, lower energy loss2+ MHz switching speeds: smallest form-factorsHigh breakdown voltage (up to 4kV)Design based on proven NexGen Power Platform (PFC + LLC)
DC-DC Converter	>96% Efficiency: Reduce cooling requirements1+MHz switching speeds: Lightweight Short-Circuit and Avalanche Robust at High breakdown voltageDesign based on proven NexGen Power Platform (LLC)
Inverters	Increase switching frequency by 5x enabling form factor reductionReduce motor eddy current losses increasing the efficiency of the motor High breakdown voltage (up to 4kV)>10µs short-circuit robustness enabling a flexible system design and reducing overall cost (overcurrent protection)

Making a Global Impact

With state-of-the-art power systems based on the innovative Vertical GaN devices in EV power conversion systems and inverters, you can achieve improvements in all three major areas—range, performance, and cost.

The overall efficiency improvements also present a significant opportunity for a greater global impact. An average electric vehicle requires 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to travel 100 miles. Assuming a typical vehicle drives an average of 13,500 miles in a year, this amounts to 4,050 kWh of energy consumption in one year. An estimated 150 million electric vehicles are expected to be sold from 2025 to 2030. Assuming an average 11-year ownership of a car, the electricity consumption of these new vehicles is estimated to be approximately 6.6 trillion kWh. A 1% efficiency improvement in the overall electric vehicle power electronics of these cars amounts to 66 billion kWh of energy savings. This is equivalent to the carbon sequestered by one-third of all U.S. national forests.

Summary:

Electrification of vehicles is growing at a skyrocketing rate; however, it comes with the challenges of drive range, performance, and vehicle cost. To address these challenges, major improvements are needed in the three key power systems in an EV: on-board chargers, DC-DC converters, and inverters. With NexGen Vertical GaN™ technology at the core of this platform, coupled with Merlin Power Engine™ digital powertrain controller and innovations in thermals with planar magnetics – NexGen Power Systems effectively and efficiently accommodates your automotive needs of tomorrow.