Technical Features

August 2024
High-Density Power Modules Simplify and Downsize EV Power System Design

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Figure 1: Replacing conventional, discrete power conversion with power modules throughout the vehicle provides significant cost and weight savings in EVs

­The electrification of the automobile is presenting new challenges for power system designers in achieving the highest power density at the lowest weight possible, eliminating compromises in vehicle range and overall performance. Designers of power delivery networks (PDNs) are also tasked with designing safe, effici
Date:
10/31/2024
Infineon Mobile Robot

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Figure 1: Fully assembled IMR and the exploded view

Mobile robots are now commonly found in commercial and industrial applications. On a high level, they can be categorized into two main types: Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV): moves along predefined marked paths (e.g., wires, magnetic tapes, lasers/barcodes), guided by external means, and not fully autonomous
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Date:
08/31/2024
Revolutionizing Railway Systems with Fuji Electric's HPnC High Power Modules

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­In the rapidly evolving world of power electronics, the demand for high power density, enhanced thermal efficiency, and scalability has never been higher. As designers strive to meet these demands, particularly in railway applications - where reliability is paramount - High Power next Core (HPnC) modules stand ou
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Date:
08/28/2024
Ultracapacitors for Better Vehicle Battery Performance

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Figure 1: Configuration of the IOXUS uSTART ultracapacitor within a vehicle battery system

­The constant starting and stopping of vehicle motors consumes an excessive amount of fuel and rapidly degrades components. This article explores the IOXUS uSTART ultracapacitor that couples with a battery to provide high power during start and stop events, reducing fuel consumption, component degradation, an
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Date:
08/01/2024
High-Reliability Auxiliary Power Systems in eVTOL Aircraft

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Figure 1: Redundant auxiliary DC-DC converters in an ‘on-line’ arrangement

­Sci-fi movies have shown visions of the future where flying taxis buzz around with the hero pilot dodging skyscrapers and other aircraft. This is now set to become reality, at least in a less frantic way, with the prestigious 2023 Paris air show featuring a real flying demonstrator of a potential air taxi, th
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Date:
08/01/2024
E-Bikes and E-Scooters: A Full System Design Solution, Wall to Battery

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Figure 1: E-bike building blocks

­The rise of e-bikes and e-scooters is transforming urban mobility, offering a cleaner, more convenient alternative to traditional modes of transportation. Central to the success and efficiency of these electric vehicles are the charging, battery management, motor driver, and control systems, as shown in Figure 1.
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Date:
08/01/2024
Enhancing Safety in EV Battery Testing

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Figure 1: A thermal runaway cycle

­Electric vehicle (EV) battery packs, by necessity, need to have a high capacity to power vehicles weighing well over a ton. To maximize driving distance between charges, battery packs for some vehicles have capacities as high as 100 kWh. Battery pack capacity will have to increase even further for larger vehicles su
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Date:
08/01/2024
Fueling the EV Boom: Will Copper Supply Meet Demand?

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Figure 1: Copper Content by Vehicle Type: Comparing the Copper Usage in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Vehicles

­The transition to electric vehicles (EV) is widely seen as a crucial step toward achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 in the United States. However, this shift has raised concerns about the availability of key raw materials, such as copper, to support the growing demand in the EV market. As governments an
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Date:
08/01/2024
Understanding Network Speed Needs for EV Manufacturers and Charging Facilities

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Figure 1. Wyebot's sensors

­Every manufacturer and charging facility want to optimize its environment for all users. In today’s digital world, this means providing the best WiFi network possible. While everyone agrees this is a priority, several misconceptions abound when it comes to accurately determining the network speed needed by
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Date:
08/01/2024
Tests Demonstrate Performance of Silicon Carbide

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Figure 1: Example of threshold voltage as a function of temperature

­Wide bandgap semiconductor technology has given electronics designers new degrees of freedom in their approach to high-power electronic circuitry. Silicon carbide (SiC) transistors in particular promise the ability to operate reliably and efficiently at higher temperatures than is possible with conventional si
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Date:
08/01/2024
Innovative Design and Testing Approaches for EV and HEV DC-DC Converters

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Figure 1: Simplified block diagram of a strong/full-hybrid EV

­The global automotive DC-DC converter market is expected to be 18.7 billion by 2028 with a compound annual growth rate of 10%.[1] DC-DC converters are an essential part of the vehicle, converting voltages to power various onboard systems, such as increasingly sophisticated infotainment and enhanced safety features
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Date:
08/01/2024
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