News: Microelectronics
4 September 2025
ROHM’s SiC MOSFETs in mass production in Schaeffler’s inverter brick
As part of their strategic partnership (initiated in 2020), Japan’s ROHM Co Ltd and Germany-based automotive supplier Schaeffler (formerly Vitesco Technologies) have started mass production of a new high-voltage inverter brick incorporating ROHM’s fourth-generation silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET bare chips. The inverter brick is intended for a major Chinese car manufacturer.
The Schaeffler inverter subassembly is the essential power device building block (brick) to control the electric drive via logic signals. For the inverter brick now being produced, Schaeffler increased the output by increasing the maximum possible battery voltage to much more than the usual 800V – and with RMS currents of up to 650A, which turn the sub-module into a compact power pack.
“Through our strategic approach of incorporating scalability and modularity into our e-mobility solutions – from individual components to a highly integrated electric axle – we developed the readily integrated inverter brick,” says Thomas Stierle, CEO of Schaeffler’s E-Mobility Division. “Based on our generic platform development, it took us just one year to bring this optimal product for the popular X-in-1 architectures to volume production readiness.”
Modularity and scalability key to easy integration
As a core component of an inverter, the brick has to meet strict requirements. The characteristics of the sub-module are indicative of the factors behind the current sales success and start of volume production: ROHM’s SiC power semiconductors enable the frame-mounted sub-module with high power density to be compact, efficient and readily integrated into various inverters through its modular and scalable design. The sub-module incorporates the power module for pulse width modulation (PWM) of the current pulses, the DC link capacitor, a DC link and a cooler. Moreover, the brick has a DC boost function, thanks to which a vehicle with 800V architecture can also be charged at a 400V charging station at a charging speed of 800V.
Picture: High-voltage inverter brick.
“With our SiC technology we are making a substantial contribution to increasing the efficiency and performance of electric cars,” says Dr Kazuhide Ino, board member & managing executive officer at ROHM. “Working with Schaeffler as our partner, we are thus fostering innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry.”
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