Nidec and Renesas Electronics have agreed to collaborate on the development of semiconductor solutions for a next-generation e-axle (X-in-1 system) that combines an electric vehicle (EV) drive motor and power electronics, according to the companies.
E-axle, a 3-in-1 mechanism that incorporates a motor, an inverter, and a gearbox (reduction gear), is increasingly utilized in recent electric vehicles. EVs integrate power electronics controls such as DC-DC converters and on-board chargers (OBC) to achieve high performance and efficiency, as well as reduced dimensions, lighter weight, and lower costs, and to speed up vehicle development.
As X-in-1 integrates multiple functions and increases in complexity, maintaining a high level of quality in vehicles becomes increasingly difficult. To ensure vehicle safety and security, the development of preventive safety technologies such as diagnostic functions and failure prediction is essential. In order to overcome this challenge, the two companies agreed to combine Nidec's motor technology and Renesas' semiconductor technology to develop a proof of concept (PoC) for the X-in-1 system that is extremely reliable and high-performing.
The companies plan to launch the first PoC by the end of 2023, which will feature a 6-in-1 system with a DC-DC converter, OBC, and power distribution unit (PDU) as well as a motor, inverter, and gearbox. The initial PoC will use SiC (silicon carbide) power devices.
Nidec and Renesas plan to develop a highly integrated X-in-1 PoC that includes a battery management system (BMS) and other components in 2024 as the second phase of their partnership. To further reduce size and cost, the second PoC will replace the DC-DC and OBC power devices with GaN (gallium nitride), which offers outstanding performance in high-frequency operation.
Nidec plans to promptly add e-axle systems to its portfolio and ramp up mass production to dominate the e-axle market, based on the PoC developed through this collaboration.
Renesas plans to develop and provide turnkey solutions for increasingly complex X-in-1 systems by expanding the jointly developed PoC for e-axle reference designs.
"By harnessing our strengths in automotive technology and developing PoCs together with Renesas who is a leader in automotive semiconductor solutions, we aim to lead the market as a world-leading e-axle provider," said Mitsuya Kishida, EVP and executive general manager of Nidec's automotive motor and electronic control business unit.
"We are very pleased to announce our collaboration with Nidec, who has an exceptional track record of success in e-axle traction motors," said Vivek Bhan, SVP and co-general manager of Renesas' high performance computing, analog and power solutions group. "Our contribution to this collaboration extends beyond hardware design, encompassing software development which is critical to enabling rapid development of PoCs for our customers."
