Many think that GaN is a difficult technology to work with. When it comes to motor drive applications, some have even said it was impossible. But QPT has just made a drive, and boy does it boast all the benefits of GaN technology…
At PCIM 2024, ipXchange met Rupert from QPT, a UK startup specialising in GaN (Gallium Nitride) power converters. As Rupert explains, half of all electricity in the World is used in electric motors. With the Electric Vehicle (EV) and heat pump markets constantly growing, this will only increase, so efficient power conversion is key. This is where QPT’s GaN expertise comes into play…
Rupert highlights that the drive, controller, and inverter in many motor application designs are “shockingly” inefficient. This means that most of the energy going into the system is wasted. QPT’s GaN motor drive dramatically boosts the efficiency of motor drive systems. This results in less heat and lower overall power consumption for the same tasks.
QPT has chosen GaN as a basis for its design due to the inherent low losses, faster switching, and lower capacitance than silicon architectures. GaN power systems also do not require a body diode. While many believe that GaN is unable to serve motor drive applications, QPT has figured out this challenge.
QPT can deliver the “umph” in a 7.5-kW drive that is the size of a hardback book! This first drive uses Infineon GaN transistors and can serve 380-V three-phase motor applications at up to 15 A (RMS), with a maximum switching frequency of 2 MHz.
Top applications for QPT’s qGaN modules include servos, air-source heat pumps, and machine tools in consumer and industrial markets. QPT aims to expand into the automotive space soon, so if you’ve got a commercial project and want to evaluate this technology, register your interest using our user-defined board page – link below. Just specify your interest in QPT, and we’ll do our best to get you connected.
Keep designing!