Integrated engine control modules from Infineon and Micronas for use in automotive electronics
Integrated circuits that only require a few external components are used today for cost-optimized motor control systems. Two product examples are the TLE987x from Infineon’s embedded Power™ series and the HVC4223F from TDK-Micronas.
The HVC4223F from Micronas leads the integration. Integrated are: A voltage regulator for direct connection to the 12V vehicle electrical system, a microcontroller based on ARM® Cortex®-M3, an operational amplifier for current measurement via shunt, a LIN transceiver as well as gate drivers and output transistors for direct connection of a motor. The result is an ultra-compact design that fits about the size of a $2 unit.
Due to the high integration, which also includes the output transistors, the HVC4223F offers almost no power scaling. Here, Infineon’s embedded Power™ devices such as the TLE987x open up greater flexibility, as they contain the gate drivers but not the MOSFETs of the power amplifier. The better scalability costs a little more space on the board.
