Microchip Technology has introduced a new integrated actuation power solution for the aviation industry's transition to electric actuation systems in aircraft. This move is driven by the industry's focus on sustainability and decarbonization. The solution combines companion gate driver boards with Microchip's Hybrid Power Drive (HPD) modules, available in either silicon carbide or silicon technology, with a power range of 5 kVA to 20 kVA.

The integrated actuation power solution maintains a consistent footprint regardless of the power output. The companion gate driver boards are designed to be integrated with Microchip's HPD modules, providing a comprehensive motor drive solution for various electrification applications, including flight controls, braking, and landing gear. These power solutions are scalable to meet the requirements of different applications, ranging from drones to Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, More Electric Aircraft (MEA), and all-electric aircraft.

By offering a plug-and-play power solution, Microchip eliminates the need for customers to design and develop their own drive circuitry, which can save design time, resources, and costs. The high-reliability devices are tested to meet the environmental conditions outlined in DO-160, ensuring their suitability for airborne equipment. They feature multiple protection features such as shoot-through detection, short circuit protection, desaturation protection, Under Voltage Lock Out (UVLO), and active miller clamping.

The gate driver boards are designed to be driven with external PWM signals based on Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS), compliant with TIA/EIA-644 standards, to minimize Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and provide good noise immunity. The boards offer telemetry outputs for monitoring DC bus current, phase current, and solenoid current through feedback from shunts in the HPD module, as well as direct outputs for PT1000 temperature sensors available in the HPD power module.

These companion gate driver boards are lightweight, low-profile, and compact, optimized for size and power efficiency in actuation systems. They can operate in a wide temperature range of -55°C to +110°C, important for aviation applications that often face harsh environments.

The isolated companion gate driver boards require only a single 15V DC input for control and drive circuits, with additional voltages generated on the card. This reduces the number of system components and simplifies system cabling.

Microchip offers comprehensive solutions for More Electric Aircraft (MEA) by integrating power products with FPGAs, microcontrollers, security, memory, and timing components. These solutions aim to accelerate development, reduce costs, and enable faster time-to-market for customers in the aviation industry.