Detailed explanation of Nanochip’s layout planning in automotive electronics

As the first domestic automotive chip stock, Nanocore has attracted market attention since its listing. Data shows that in 2022, Nanocore’s total automotive chip shipments exceeded 100 million units, and it has lived up to its reputation as the first automotive chip stock. A title.

Recently, Nanochip Product Line Director Zhang Fangwen and Nanochip Product Line Marketing Director Ye Jian introduced in detail Nanochip’s layout in the powertrain and thermal management systems of new energy vehicles. Generally speaking, in addition to processors and large In addition to power devices, Nanocore's products can cover all aspects of automotive electrification-related applications.

Overview of Nanocore Automotive Electronics Solutions

Interpretation of powertrain architecture and nanocore product layout

Compared with traditional cars, new energy vehicles involve high and low voltages, rechargeable batteries, and more electronic components, so the electrical architecture is much more complex and the cost is much higher.

In order to reduce system complexity, powertrains are evolving towards an all-in-one integration approach. The motor, motor controller, and reducer are placed in one assembly, and the OBC, high-voltage DC/DC, and high-voltage power distribution box are integrated together. Even ECUs and even BMS can be integrated centrally. This method of system integration reduces wiring and costs on the one hand, and significantly improves reliability on the other.

The second evolution trend is the continuous improvement of power density. Car manufacturers are making extensive use of 800V high-voltage busbars and third-generation semiconductor technologies to increase the cruising range of cars and reduce unnecessary losses.

In addition, for motors, they are evolving from single motors to dual motors or even four motors. Multiple motors can achieve motor miniaturization, which is more conducive to the overall layout, and the cost will not increase significantly due to the use of more motors.

Zhang Fangwen introduced that in charging-related systems such as OBC/DCDC, Nanochip’s products cover three major product categories: sensors, signal chains and power management. The sensors include current/voltage sensors, comparators, references, reset and other chips. , the signal chain includes isolators, PWM buffers, CAN/LIN interfaces, operational amplifiers, comparators, etc., and power management includes general power management, high/low-side switches, charging gun motor drivers, etc.

Nanocore Micro OBC/DCDC system application block diagram

In the field of main motor drive, sensors include motor position detection, temperature and humidity detection, isolation, drive and other products.

System block diagram of electric drive solution

In terms of battery management, it is mainly the application of isolators.

New energy vehicle thermal management system solutions

Ye Jian said that thermal management of new energy vehicles is also an emerging application and is so important that some car manufacturers regard it as one of their core selling points.

Similar to the powertrain, the thermal management of new energy vehicles is also much more complex than that of traditional vehicles. Systems including battery cooling and heating, main drive motor cooling, OBC refrigeration, and cabin air conditioning all require different innovative forms. On the one hand, battery performance is heavily dependent on temperature; secondly, a large number of motors in new energy vehicles use permanent magnet materials, which will degrade when exposed to high temperatures; thirdly, there are many electronic devices, high transmission power, and high heat generation. Therefore, better cooling is needed to ensure reliability.

Ye Jian introduced that new energy vehicles require a lot of liquid cooling systems in addition to the battery, motor, OBC and other component systems, which require water pumps and water valves to control the flow of liquid. In addition, this includes the fan of the condenser, the wind direction in the air conditioner, and in addition to the water pump Various large and small actuators require motor control, including motor drives, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, interfaces, isolation and many other electronic components. Obviously, due to different requirements such as power, volume, accuracy, etc., there are a huge variety of solutions for different system needs.

Take a valve control ASIC just released by Nanocore as an example. This is a control and drive chip for stepper motors in electronic expansion valves. If discrete components are used, 8 MOS tubes, CAN interfaces, processors and power management are required, which is difficult to use in small water valves. Nanochip's ASICs are developed according to needs. Based on Nanochip's accumulation of various components, various discrete components are integrated to carry out permutation and combination innovation.

Vehicle heat pump/air compressor drive solution

Greater room for development

As the demand for new energy vehicles continues to rise and the automotive electronics supply cycle begins to improve, major manufacturers are eager to test the automotive market. In the future, as the content of automotive electronic components increases, there will be opportunities for every company.

Nanochip is closely following the market demand, focusing on the two major technological trends of smart cockpit and new energy, and continues to deploy a wider range of product types, thereby seizing new market opportunities that are constantly emerging in automotive electronics.