Compact Power Switches Revolutionize Automotive Electronics

2025-04-04 power

Miami, Friday, 4 April 2025.
New compact power switches from companies like Infineon enhance automotive electronics, replacing bulky relays with robust solid-state alternatives and supporting high-current applications while maintaining stability at high temperatures.

Next-Generation Power Switches Deliver Enhanced Performance

Infineon’s latest Power Profet family demonstrates significant advances in automotive power switching technology. The newly released BTH50015-1LUA and BTH50030-1LUA smart high-side switches support impressive current handling capabilities, with the BTH50015-1LUA managing up to 35 A while maintaining a low 1.5 mΩ RDS(on), and the BTH50030-1LUA handling 25 A with 3 mΩ RDS(on) [1]. These devices maintain thermal stability up to 150°C and feature load dump robustness to 70 V, making them particularly suitable for demanding automotive applications [1].

Advanced Protection and Diagnostic Features

The automotive industry’s shift toward more sophisticated electronic systems is further evidenced by STMicroelectronics’ introduction of the IPS4140HQ and IPS4140HQ-1 quad high-side intelligent power switches. These compact devices, housed in an 8 mm × 6 mm QFN48L package, operate across a 10.5 V to 36 V range and feature comprehensive protection mechanisms [1]. The switches are compliant with stringent industry standards, including IEC 61131-2 and IEC 61000-4-2/4/5, with ESD ratings up to ±25 kV [1].

Breakthrough in Bidirectional Power Control

A significant advancement in power switch technology emerged on March 21, 2025, when Navitas unveiled the world’s first bidirectional GaN power IC at APEC 2025 in Atlanta [5]. This innovative single-chip design incorporates a merged drain structure and integrated autonomous substrate clamp, effectively replacing four devices in conventional two-stage designs [5]. The technology demonstrates impressive space savings, reducing the height of onboard chargers from approximately 127 mm to 51 mm, while achieving 30% weight reduction in EV applications [5].

Market Impact and Future Implications

The evolution of power switch technology is driving significant improvements in efficiency and form factor across multiple industries. GaN transistors now offer voltage classifications from 60 V to 700 V, with continuous current ranges of 4 A to 100 A [3]. These advancements are particularly crucial for automotive and industrial applications, where the combination of high performance and compact size is essential [3]. The industry continues to push boundaries, with recent demonstrations at APEC 2025 showcasing how these new technologies are being integrated into next-generation power systems [6].

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