Bench Talk

In collaboration with Mouser Electronics, Vishay Intertechnology developed an eBook entitled An Automotive Grade Above, which consists of eight chapters featuring proven, real-world, designs for engineers working on the next generation of 48V automotive systems, battery-charging management applications, and sensor-enabled hands-free dashboards. Each chapter features a range of automotive-grade products from Vishay, including diodes and rectifiers, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, resistors, inductors, and capacitors.

Because manufacturers tend to favor a phased transition to electrification, they design vehicles with 48V and 12V systems. This architecture requires a bi-directional 48V-12V DC/DC converter to provide efficient power transfer between the systems. Learn how to meet this need using Vishay’s WSLP3921 Power Metal Strip^® current sense resistor, SQJQ184E TrenchFET^® Gen IV MOSFET, and IHDM-1008BC edge-wound through-hole inductor to design a 3kW converter featuring six modular 500W power stages.

The variety of hybrid/EV configurations in the automotive market creates the opportunity for an advantaged 48V inverter. Learn how to create a 25kW 3-phase inverter to optimize costs for both the inverter and the machine in an efficient packaging envelope by using Vishay’s SQJQ184E TrenchFET^® Gen IV MOSFET, WSLP2726 Power Metal Strip^® current sense resistor, and MKT1820 DC film capacitor.

Vehicle high-load functions, such as power steering and electric turbochargers, carry a risk of excessive arcing when using mechanical relays to connect them to the 48V battery. To mitigate this risk, learn how to design an eFuse for loads up to 200A and 48V with Vishay’s SQJQ160E TrenchFET^® Gen IV MOSFET, XMC7K24CA XClampR^™ TVS diode, and D2TO20 series of SMD power resistors.

Charge time is one of the most considerable barriers to the widescale adoption of EVs. The power demand from fast charging continues to pressure delivery systems to increase On Board Charger (OBC) power from 5.5kW to 22kW. To meet consumer demand for increased efficiency and power density at a low cost, learn how to design a high-power, 3-phase OBC featuring Vishay’s VS-E5PH6012LHN3 and VS-E5PX7506LHN3 hyperfast rectifiers, VS-40TPS12LHM3 high-voltage thyristor, SQW61N65EF-GE3 Automotive E series of power MOSFETs, MKP385eTHB AC, and pulse metalized film capacitor, and PTCEL PTC thermistor.

Vishay’s optoelectronic sensor devices enable human machine interaction (HMI), keeping an eye on user input and lighting conditions so that drivers can keep their eyes on the road. Learn how to realize force sensing, proximity, gesture control, and ambient light dimming with digital optoelectronic components from Vishay, including VCNL3030X01 and VCNL4035X01 proximity sensors and VEML6031X00 ambient light sensors.

With the significantly higher voltages added by EV applications to the existing lower voltages, it is essential to maintain the appropriate isolation barrier to protect safety. Learn how to design a 2kW 400V/12V DC/DC converter to transfer power cost-effectively by isolating voltages between high and low sources using Vishay’s SQJQ144AE TrenchFET^® Gen IV power MOSFET and VOMA617A phototransistor output optocoupler.

As the electric/hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increase high-voltage bus levels to reduce the system currents and improve efficiency. As a result, the need to measure voltages and currents in the high-voltage battery pack used by the low-voltage control system becomes more difficult because they must be isolated from each other for safety reasons. Using a linear optocoupler, such as Vishay’s VOA300, achieves this purpose. Learn how to design a voltage and current-sensing module for a high-voltage battery-management system by adding Vishay’s WSBS8518-35 Power Metal Strip^® battery shunt resistor and TNPV e3 thin-film high-voltage chip resistor.

As current levels continue to increase in both 48V and 12V systems, traditional mechanical relays must be upgraded with a more intelligent solution to extend the life of components and increase safety. Learn how Vishay has done just that with the Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) switch. Featuring the SQSA80ENW TrenchFET^® power MOSFET and NTCS SMD NTC thermistor, the solution seamlessly integrates into the vehicle and turns the load on and off when needed.

Vishay has used its expertise in traditional automotive electronics to develop technology to support the growing EV industry. As demonstrated in An Automotive Grade Above, its product innovations in 48V systems, battery-charge management, and dashboard sensors are prime examples of how electrification creates opportunities for innovation and how the company is committed to providing the market with efficient, cost-effective solutions.