CGD and Qorvo to jointly revolutionize motor control solutions

The collaboration combines Qorvo’s high-performance BLDC/PMSM motor controller/drivers with CGD’s easy-to-use ICeGaN IC in a new evaluation kit (EVK).

Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) is a semiconductor company focused on the development of high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) power components, committed to creating more environmentally friendly electronic components. Recently, the company has partnered with Qorvo® (Nasdaq: QRVO), a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, to launch the PAC5556A ICeGaN® Evaluation Kit (EVK), which combines industry-leading motor control and energy efficiency technologies. This collaboration combines Qorvo's high-performance BLDC/PMSM motor controller/driver with CGD's easy-to-use ICeGaN IC on a single circuit board, significantly improving the performance of motor control applications.

ANDREA BRICCONI | Chief Marketing Officer, CGD

“By combining industry-leading technology solutions from our two technologically strong companies in this EVK, we are developing compact, energy-efficient systems with high power density. Unlike other GaN implementations, ICeGaN technology easily interfaces with Qorvo’s PAC5556A motor control IC, enabling seamless high performance in BLDC and PMSM applications.”

JEff Strang | General Manager, Power Management Division, Qorvo

“Wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are being incorporated into motor control applications due to their higher power density and efficiency advantages. CGD’s ICeGaN technology offers ease of use and reliability, key factors that are critical to motor control and drive designers. Customers have responded enthusiastically when they have experienced the power of CGD’s ICeGaN combined with our highly integrated PAC5556A 600V BLDC motor control solution.”

By adopting CGD's latest generation of P2 ICs, the PAC5556AEVK2 evaluation kit with 240 mΩ ICeGaN can achieve up to 400W peak performance without a heat sink, while the PAC5556AEVK3 with 55 mΩ ICeGaN can reach 800W peak performance with minimal airflow cooling. ICeGaN's efficiency improvement reduces power losses, improves power availability, and minimizes heat dissipation, resulting in smaller, more reliable systems. Because ICeGaN integrates the necessary current sensing and Miller clamp components, it simplifies gate driver design and reduces BOM cost. This makes the solution easy to implement, price competitive, and high-performance.

The PAC5556A CGD GaN EVK provides higher torque and precise control at low speeds, making it ideal for white appliances, ceiling fans, refrigerators, compressors and pumps. Target markets include industrial and home automation, especially those that require compact and efficient motor control systems. The PAC5556AEVK2 and PAC5556AEVK3 are now available for ordering on the Qorvo website. CGD will exhibit the above products at the Electronica Munich Electronics Show, booth number C3-539.