Freescale, Fuji Team Up On IGBTs for Hybrids

Freescale Semiconductor says it’s teaming up with Fuji Electric Systems Co. Ltd. on the development of insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) for hybrid vehicles and electric cars. Working with Fuji, Freescale will market existing IGBTs to its automotive customers and will develop new IGBT products.

            With the addition of IGBTs to its product portfolio, Freescale says it now offers all major electronic components of EVs, including microcontrollers, analog gate drivers, battery monitoring ICs, power IGBTs, simulation tools and software.

            An IGBT is a high-voltage, high-current switch connected directly to an EV’s traction motor. It serves as a motor inverter switch for EV motors ranging from 20 kW to 120 kW due to its high efficiency and fast switching.