SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
John L. Baum, K. Berringer, Randy Frank, Tom Huettl, Richard Valentine · 1992
This paper discusses established and emerging semiconductor technologies that are applicable to electric vehicles (EVs), based on extensive experience from laboratory and vehicle testing. EVs will require new semiconductor technologies to achieve sufficient performance and reliability. The solutions, required for production EVs, can be achieved only by cooperative development efforts between the automotive, electronics and semiconductor industries. EV system considerations include battery voltage, charging requirements and motor selection. A systems approach must be used, to determine the optimal technology for each aspect of EV motor control. Relevant technologies and components include: (1) power transistors and rectifier, including packaging; (2) the isolation technique and interface integrated circuits; (3) microcontrol unit control; (4) digital signal processing control; (5) fault protection and sensing; and (6) sensors. The costs of available industrial-rated power devices is at present very high, and needs to be reduced. At the same time, their performance and reliability need to be greatly increased. For the covering abstract see IRRD 867146.