Nidec Corp. and Renesas have agreed to collaborate on semiconductor solutions for a next-generation E-axle (X-in-1 system) that integrates a traction motor and power electronics for electric vehicles (EVs).

Today’s electric vehicles increasingly use a 3-in-1 unit called an e-axle, which integrates motor, inverter and reduction gearbox. To achieve high performance and efficiency, as well as smaller size, weight, and cost, and to accelerate vehicle development, e-vehicles are also integrating power electronic controls such as DC-DC converters and on-board chargers (OBCs). EV manufacturers in advanced markets such as China have developed an X-in-1 platform that integrates multiple functions and accelerates adoption in many vehicle models.

As X-in-1 integrates multiple functions and complexity increases, maintaining a high level of quality in vehicles becomes a challenge. Therefore, the development of preventive safety technologies such as diagnostic functions and fault prediction is critical to ensure safety in vehicles. To address this challenge, the two companies have agreed to combine Nidec’s motor technology and Renesas’ semiconductor technology to jointly develop a highly reliable and powerful proof of concept (PoC) for the X-in-1 system. The PoC is expected to deliver the industry’s highest performance and efficiency, as well as a smaller size, lighter weight and lower cost for the X-in-1 system.

The partner companies plan to launch the first PoC by the end of 2023, which will include a 6-in-1 system with a DC-DC converter, OBC and power distribution unit (PDU), as well as a motor, inverter and gearbox. In a second phase in 2024, Nidec and Renesas plan to develop a highly integrated X-in-1 PoC that will include a battery management system (BMS) among other components. The first PoC will include power devices based on SiC (silicon carbide); for the second PoC, the DC-DC and OBC power devices will be GaN (gallium nitride) technology. The latter allows the power devices to be switched at higher frequencies, thereby enabling the size and cost of the systems to be reduced.

Building on the PoC developed under this collaboration, Nidec plans to rapidly bring E-Axle systems into production to expand its portfolio and ramp up mass production to lead the E-Axle market.

Renesas plans to develop and deliver turnkey solutions for increasingly complex X-in-1 systems by extending the jointly developed PoC for E-axle reference designs.

https://www.nidec.com/en

https://www.renesas.com/eu/en

https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/nidec-renesas-collaborate-on-semiconductors-for-e-drives/