News: Microelectronics
5 June 2025
EPC9196 launches 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter for 96–150V battery applications
Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC) of El Segundo, CA, USA — which makes enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power field-effect transistors (FETs) and integrated circuits for power management applications — has released the EPC9196, a high-performance 25ARMS, 3-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive inverter reference design powered by the EPC2304 eGaN FET. The EPC9196 is specifically designed for medium-voltage (96V–150V) battery-powered motor drive applications, including steering systems in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), traction motors in compact autonomous vehicles, and precision motor joints in robotics.
The EPC9196 fills a critical gap in the motor drive reference design landscape, says the firm. With no other available reference designs operating at this voltage and current combination, EPC offers system designers a compact, efficient and ready-to-deploy solution that accelerates development and optimizes system performance in the lower end of the 25–400ARMS application range.
At the heart of the EPC9196 is the EPC2304, a 200V-rated, 3.5mΩ (typical) eGaN FET in a thermally enhanced QFN package. Chosen for its exceptionally low RDS(on) and unmatched performance in compact form factors, the EPC2304 enables the EPC9196 to deliver up to 35Apk (25ARMS) phase current at switching frequencies up to 100kHz. This performance translates to low switching losses, minimal dead time, and a smooth, low-noise motor drive profile even at high PWM speeds.
Key features of the EPC9196 include:
- Wide input voltage range from 30V to 170V;
- integrated gate drivers, housekeeping power, current and voltage sense, over-current protection, and thermal monitoring;
- Compatible with multiple motor drive controller platforms from Microchip, ST, TI and Renesas;
- dv/dt control optimized for motor drive applications (<10V/ns);
- ready for sensorless or encoder-based control configurations.
The EPC9196 has been validated in real-world conditions, powering a 3kW servo motor at 150VDC and 60kHz switching frequency. The design delivers clean waveforms with minimal ringing and demonstrates excellent thermal behavior with and without a heatsink, making it suitable for both bench evaluation and production-intent prototyping.
“With the introduction of the EPC9196, we’re enabling engineers working in robotics, AGVs, and compact EVs to take full advantage of GaN’s superior performance without redesigning for high current,” says Marco Palma, director of motor drive systems and applications at EPC.
The EPC9196 reference design boards are priced at $812.50. The EPC2304 is priced at $3.68 each in 3Ku reels. Reference design boards and devices are available for immediate delivery from Digi Key Corp.
EPC launches 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter reference design
EPC introduces fully configured motor drive inverter reference design
