G-Pulse and Silicon Mobility have announced that they are designing a high-power multiphase interleaving bidirectional DC-DC converter platform for EVs including those using fuel cells, batteries, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric. It is based on Silicon Mobility’s OLEA control technology, and draws on G-Pulse’s engineering expertise in automotive systems.

The growth in the range of EV platforms is bringing increasing diversity of powertrain topologies, different types of electric motors and a range of DC-link voltages, from 300 to 900 V. The powertrain system elements in the various EV applications may require a wide range of DC-link voltage adaptation between the link, the battery pack or the fuel cell with a dynamic and fast response to varying power demand.

To address this need for high power/high voltage adaption, the platform system is an SiC-based, four-phase interleaving, bidirectional DC-DC converter that will allow an automatic boost/buck control through current sensing. It supports input voltages of 250 to about 450 V and a 750 V typical output voltage.

The platform integrates Silicon Mobility’s OLEA FPCU chip and control application developed using the OLEA Composer model-based design framework and the OLEA Lib DC-DC functions library.

The parallel processing capability of the OLEA FPCU chip hosts current/voltage double closed-loop control with four independent current loops, and control parameters that are self-adapted at high-frequency power device switching. Combined with SiC power devices, this high-frequency control enables the downsizing of the passive elements, increasing power density, reducing voltage/current ripple and improving stability.

The platform aims to provide carmakers and their Tier 1 suppliers with a system to enable performance evaluation, proof-of-concept design and fast application developments. Compliant with the ISO 26262 standard, it includes all the required safety protection functions such as overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating and short-circuit detection.

It is expected to be available to customers by the end of this year.