News: Microelectronics
15 July 2025
EPC Space launches three-phase motor drive evaluation board
EPC Space LLC of Andover, MA, USA (which provides high-reliability radiation-hardened enhancement-mode gallium nitride-on-silicon transistors and ICs for power management in space and other harsh environments) has announced the EPC7C021 (available now through EPC Space and authorized distributors), a high-performance, three-phase motor demonstration board featuring the radiation-hardened EPC7011L7C eGaN IC. Designed for ease of evaluation and system integration, the EPC7C021 delivers a user-friendly, flexible platform for developing motor drive applications such as reaction and momentum wheels, ion thrusters, robotics and other automation in demanding radiation environments.
Measuring just 6.50” x 5.22”, the EPC7C021 is a full-featured evaluation board that can operate as a stand-alone three-phase motor driver or be paired with the EPC9147A controller daughtercard for closed-loop motor control. The board includes dead-time generation circuitry, current and voltage monitoring, and optional filtering for sine-wave approximation — making it suitable for engineers looking to evaluate GaN performance in space- and radiation-critical applications.
Key features of the EPC7C021 are cited as:
- Powered by EPC7011L7C rad-hard GaN ICs: Each phase uses a half-bridge GaN IC delivering high efficiency, low switching loss, and superior radiation tolerance.
- Flexible PWM drive options: Input signals can be sourced externally (via SMA or header connectors) or internally from the EPC9147A motor controller board.
- Comprehensive monitoring and protection: Built-in test points, power-good indicators, thermal monitoring, and adjustable over-current protection.
- Optional output filtering and thermal management: User-configurable RC filters for phase outputs and AlN-based thermal ‘helpers’ support higher operating currents.
- Easy integration: Interface options include Hall-effect sensor input, analog monitoring outputs, and support for external or onboard bias generation (12V, 5V, 3.3V).
“The EPC7C021 helps engineers quickly prototype three-phase motor drives, showcasing the flexibility and monitoring benefits of rad-hard GaN for motor control in harsh environments,” says EPC Space’s VP of engineering Maurizio Salato.
