Current sensors meet SiC and GaN requirements

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. has launched two new high-bandwidth current sensors, the ACS37030 and ACS37032, enabling high-performance power conversion with GaN and SiC technologies in applications such as electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy solutions and data centers.  Designed to minimize energy loss and improve efficiency and reliability for SiC and GaN technologies, these current sensors can measure DC up to 5-MHz signals and offer a ±2% sensitivity error across temperature.

Today’s high-power-density GaN and SiC FET charging and power infrastructures require high-speed, low-loss devices compared with current solutions that feature limited operating ranges as well as size and weight challenges that increase both the number of components used and bills of materials, according to Allegro.

(Source: Allegro MicroSystems)

The company claims the ACS37030/2 is the first solution that responds fast enough for high-speed SiC and GaN protection while delivering low-frequency content for power-conversion control. They also offer efficiency and high-performance with faster design time and use less board space. A key feature is the dual signal paths approach—one path that captures low-frequency and DC current using Hall-effect elements and the other one capturing high-frequency current data via an inductive coil.

Allegro said the new current sensors offer several benefits. These include fast response times with critical protection and higher efficiency with lower energy loss and thermal dissipation. They also achieve stable and safe control as well as lower EMI.

The current sensors are housed in a compact fused-lead SOIC-6 package that can withstand harsh automotive and industrial environments. This package also reduces board size and helps increase system power density.