Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), a specialist in innovative GaN (Gallium Nitride)-based power devices, is working with Ricardo to develop a high-efficiency GaN-based traction inverter
Project SUITE (Sustainable Use of Integrated Technology for EVs) is a Nissan-led consortium and a £10 million, UK Government-backed research initiative aimed at changing how EVs are charged, powered, and experienced.
The project was awarded funding as part of the UK Government’s £4 billion DRIVE35 programme, delivered by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK.
CGD’s ICeGaN integrated circuit will be used in the inverter design to deliver higher efficiency, lower cost, faster, lower-loss switching, and reduced energy consumption than power semiconductor solutions currently used in EVs.
ICeGaN overcomes the difficulties typically associated with incorporating and operating GaN because its wide range of integrated features requires fewer additional components and uses standard gate drivers. Additionally, ICeGaN is the only GaN technology to achieve optimal current sharing when five or more devices are connected in parallel.
CGD’s engineering expertise in GaN technology will complement Ricardo’s in-house automotive experience and capabilities to help design and develop an advanced, high-efficiency traction inverter.
In addition to using GaN for an efficient, optimised traction inverter design, Project SUITE will incorporate intelligent technologies around the vehicle that will bring benefits such as reduced and automated charging, longer range, and lower energy bills.
Dan Murphy, senior director, Product Management, CGD, said, “This is an exciting project for CGD to be involved with and underlines the value and importance of practical, easily adoptable GaN technologies to the necessary, continued evolution of EVs, and in this instance specifically next-generation traction inverters. The expertise and resource of the consortium members, UK government backing, and Nissan as the lead are all constituent parts that will drive a highly valuable and usable outcome.”
Temoc Rodriguez, global technical expert in Electric Propulsion Systems, Ricardo, said, “Ricardo is a pioneer in the use of GaN semiconductor technology in high-power applications, and this project is the culmination of our R&D efforts over the last five years. This new product will be the first-of-a-kind for next-generation traction inverters that will operate at high efficiency at a reduced cost.”
