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Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723)* today announced what it claims is the world’s first “8-in-1” proof of concept (PoC) for E-Axle systems for electric vehicles. It controls eight functions using a single micro-controller (MCU). Developed in collaboration with Nidec Corporation, this PoC integrates a motor, a reduction gear, an inverter, a DC/DC converter, and an on-board battery charger (OBC). System-level testing was also completed to ensure its performance. This of course awaits verification in deployments on the road.
“The E-Axle is a unit in EVs that combines a drive motor, a gear, and an inverter. By integrating multiple functions, the E-Axle system can reduce system size and weight, simplifying EV design. Renesas provided key components, including semiconductors and a reference design for the new 8-in-1 E-Axle system.
“Renesas also plans to deliver turnkey semiconductor solutions for various X-in-1 systems based on the reference design verified through this PoC. Armed with these solutions, developers can implement and evaluate X-in-1 systems instantly, accelerating EV development,” Renesas said.
Together with the motor and gear from Nidec, the eight functions in this PoC include an inverter from Renesas with 70~100kW output performance with the maximum efficiency of 99% or higher; a 1.5kW output DC/DC converter, a 6.6kW charge OBC; a power distribution unit (PDU); a battery management system (BMS); and Positive Temperature Co-efficiency (PTC) heater control for cars. While generally each function of an E-Axle requires a dedicated MCU and a power management IC (PMIC) to control an X-in-1 system, Renesas successfully implemented a new E-Axle system which can operate with only one MCU and a PMIC to control the entire 8-in-1 system. By systematically integrating these functions with a single MCU, the PoC has significantly reduced the number of components, cost and size.
“In the rapidly changing EV market, there is a growing need for smaller and lower-cost E-Axle systems,” said Ryuji Omura, Senior Vice President, Deputy Chief Technology Officer and Head of Nidec Semiconductor Solutions Center at Nidec. “Having a single ECU manage an electric powertrain control unit will help lower the weight and cost of the system, reducing the number of components. We were able to develop the world’s first PoC that controls an 8-in-1 system with a single MCU, and we are grateful for the Renesas team’s passion and collaboration on this project. This project made us realize the importance of developing a scalable design methodology, as the levels of X-in-1 system integration vary from segment to segment. By modifying the software configuration for multi-core MCUs, we expect to build the foundation for an X-in-1 platform that can flexibly accommodate various combinations.”
This PoC includes numerous Renesas products: the 32-bit MCU RH850/U2B for automotive control, a PMIC for the MCU, the RAJ2930004AGM isolated gate driver, an IGBT module for the inverter, power devices for the DC/DC converter and OBC. Leveraging these innovations, Renesas can provide comprehensive system support and software for customers, along with key devices for X-in-1 solutions. Renesas is committed to providing comprehensive system solutions including reference designs and software to accelerate EV development.
“We are thrilled to deliver the world-class 8-in-1 E-Axle solution and have successfully verified its operational performance in collaboration with Nidec,” said Chris Allexandre, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Power at Renesas. “We are committed to delivering a broad range of power management products that work together with our digital products to provide complete, ready-to-use, system-level solutions. This approach enables Renesas to help customers accelerate their development and time to market.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Renesas and Nidec Announce New EV E-Axle Systems
Click for more.
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723)* today announced what it claims is the world’s first “8-in-1” proof of concept (PoC) for E-Axle systems for electric vehicles. It controls eight functions using a single micro-controller (MCU). Developed in collaboration with Nidec Corporation, this PoC integrates a motor, a reduction gear, an inverter, a DC/DC converter, and an on-board battery charger (OBC). System-level testing was also completed to ensure its performance. This of course awaits verification in deployments on the road.
“The E-Axle is a unit in EVs that combines a drive motor, a gear, and an inverter. By integrating multiple functions, the E-Axle system can reduce system size and weight, simplifying EV design. Renesas provided key components, including semiconductors and a reference design for the new 8-in-1 E-Axle system.
“Renesas also plans to deliver turnkey semiconductor solutions for various X-in-1 systems based on the reference design verified through this PoC. Armed with these solutions, developers can implement and evaluate X-in-1 systems instantly, accelerating EV development,” Renesas said.
Together with the motor and gear from Nidec, the eight functions in this PoC include an inverter from Renesas with 70~100kW output performance with the maximum efficiency of 99% or higher; a 1.5kW output DC/DC converter, a 6.6kW charge OBC; a power distribution unit (PDU); a battery management system (BMS); and Positive Temperature Co-efficiency (PTC) heater control for cars. While generally each function of an E-Axle requires a dedicated MCU and a power management IC (PMIC) to control an X-in-1 system, Renesas successfully implemented a new E-Axle system which can operate with only one MCU and a PMIC to control the entire 8-in-1 system. By systematically integrating these functions with a single MCU, the PoC has significantly reduced the number of components, cost and size.
“In the rapidly changing EV market, there is a growing need for smaller and lower-cost E-Axle systems,” said Ryuji Omura, Senior Vice President, Deputy Chief Technology Officer and Head of Nidec Semiconductor Solutions Center at Nidec. “Having a single ECU manage an electric powertrain control unit will help lower the weight and cost of the system, reducing the number of components. We were able to develop the world’s first PoC that controls an 8-in-1 system with a single MCU, and we are grateful for the Renesas team’s passion and collaboration on this project. This project made us realize the importance of developing a scalable design methodology, as the levels of X-in-1 system integration vary from segment to segment. By modifying the software configuration for multi-core MCUs, we expect to build the foundation for an X-in-1 platform that can flexibly accommodate various combinations.”
This PoC includes numerous Renesas products: the 32-bit MCU RH850/U2B for automotive control, a PMIC for the MCU, the RAJ2930004AGM isolated gate driver, an IGBT module for the inverter, power devices for the DC/DC converter and OBC. Leveraging these innovations, Renesas can provide comprehensive system support and software for customers, along with key devices for X-in-1 solutions. Renesas is committed to providing comprehensive system solutions including reference designs and software to accelerate EV development.
“We are thrilled to deliver the world-class 8-in-1 E-Axle solution and have successfully verified its operational performance in collaboration with Nidec,” said Chris Allexandre, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Power at Renesas. “We are committed to delivering a broad range of power management products that work together with our digital products to provide complete, ready-to-use, system-level solutions. This approach enables Renesas to help customers accelerate their development and time to market.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.