ROHM’s Isolated DC-DC Converters for xEVs Reduce Application Size and Minimize Noise Design Countermeasures

Santa Clara, CA and Kyoto, Japan, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ROHM Semiconductor today introduced the BD7Fx05EFJ-C isolated flyback DC-DC converter (BD7F105EFJ-C, BD7F205EFJ-C) optimized for gate drive power supplies in xEV applications, such as electric compressors and PTC heaters.

In recent years, xEVs such as hybrid and electric vehicles have become increasingly popular as the industry moves towards achieving a sustainable society. xEVs, which primarily use electricity as their energy source, are equipped with unique applications such as electric compressors for AC, and PTC heaters to raise the cabin temperature. As these applications are driven by high voltages, it is necessary to isolate the primary circuit that includes the battery from the secondary circuit comprised of the motor and other systems to ensure safety. However, in addition to issues such as larger mounting area and power consumption, conventional isolated circuit configurations require considerable noise countermeasures for switching frequencies that vary with output current.

ROHM’s new product utilizes a circuit configuration that achieves stable switching frequency characteristics without requiring a photocoupler, decreasing application size together with the workload needed for noise design countermeasures. Leveraging ROHM’s superior analog design technology allows the BD7Fx05EFJ-C to eliminate the need for photocouplers, transformer auxiliary windings, and peripheral components conventionally necessary to detect secondary-side voltage and current. Along with solving issues with photocouplers (e.g., large power consumption, fluctuating detection accuracy due to temperature, and deterioration over time), ROHM has also achieved greater miniaturization by reducing the number of components – including the photocoupler – used for current detection by 10 (equivalent to a board area of 30%) compared to general isolated flyback power supply circuits.

The BD7Fx05EFJ-C is also equipped with an adaptive ON-time control function that fixes the switching ON time, ensuring a stable frequency of around 350kHz regardless of output power. To be complaint with the CISPR25 automotive EMC standard requires considerable noise design in the frequency range from 150kHz to 300kHz, but as ROHM’s new converters do not fall within this band, noise countermeasures can be greatly simplified. This, together with a spread spectrum function that minimizes radiated noise, contributes to reducing the number of efforts for noise design.

Going forward, ROHM will continue to develop products that contribute to greater miniaturization and lower noise by leveraging its strength in analog technology, helping to achieve a sustainable society.

Product Lineup
In addition to reducing the number of components and person-hours required for noise countermeasures, the BD7Fx05EFJ-C improves application reliability by incorporating multiple protection circuits along with a function that stabilizes the output voltage. View the product specifications here.

Application Examples
ROHM’s new DC-DC converter IC is ideal for gate driver power supplies that must be isolated from the battery for safety.