ON Semiconductor partners with Mercedes EQ Formula E Team to create EV powertrain solutions

ON Semiconductor of Phoenix, AZ, USA – which supplies power management, analog, sensors, logic, timing, connectivity, discrete, system-on-chip (SoC) and custom devices – has announced an Official Supplier relationship with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport and Mercedes EQ Formula E team that will extend their automotive power solutions activities to Formula One and Formula E.

Building on the its technology, already used in the energy recovery pack that controls ignition and injection drivers of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport race car (which has won four consecutive Formula One World Constructors’ championships and five consecutive Drivers’ titles), ON Semiconductor will collaborate with the Mercedes EQ Formula E Team in developing next-generation electric powertrain innovations.

“The powertrain systems within both a Formula 1 and Formula E vehicle not only possess an increased number of power semiconductors, these semiconductors must meet extremely demanding performance and efficiency requirements, while withstanding the harshest of automotive environments,” says David Somo, senior VP corporate strategy, marketing and solutions engineering at ON Semiconductor. “This partnership showcases our full range of power semiconductors and modules in supporting the continuing success of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport as part of a demanding and dynamic sport,” he adds.

“Formula E cars see massive power transfers during their running so it’s not a simple electrical problem,” notes Dave Priscak, VP, global solutions engineering at ON Semiconductor. “Our comprehensive expertise that spans both mechanical and electrical engineering offers full solutions to the innovation of next-generation electric vehicles. We look forward to continuing our work with Mercedes to further capitalize on this expertise in the development of technological advancements in power devices and electric vehicle technology.”

Race cars need technology that can withstand high levels of shock, vibration and extreme temperatures. The more efficient the semiconductor device, the less power is lost to wasted heat, resulting in better mileage or miles per watt of energy. At the same time, engineers also aim to make their cars’ components smaller to save weight and space. ON Semiconductor power products and solutions include insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), high-voltage gate drivers, super-junction MOSFETs, high-voltage rectifiers, high-voltage DC-DC, as well as wide-bandgap (WBG) developments in silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) that can be used in next-generation electric vehicles. These technologies provide longer driving range between charges, faster battery charging times and better thermal management, says ON Semiconductor.

The Mercedes EQ Formula E concept car can be seen at ON Semiconductor’s stand 101 (Hall C4) at the electronica 2018 show in Munich, Germany (12-16 November).

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Tags: Power electronics

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