Rohm and the Chinese automotive manufacturer United Automotive Electronic Systems (UAES) have established a joint SiC technology laboratory at the Shanghai headquarters of the company, which was founded as a joint venture between Robert Bosch and Zhonglian Automobile Electronics Systems in 1995. Since then, UAES has gained a large share of the Chinese market for engine control units and transmission systems for gas-powered vehicles, and since 2009 has focused on developing applications for electric vehicles, including major inverters.
Since 2015, UAES and Rohm have been collaborating and conducting detailed technical exchanges on automotive applications using SiC power devices and in the early 2020s launched automotive products incorporating them.
Mr. Guo Xiaolu, deputy general manager, United Automotive Electronic Systems, says: "With Rohm, which has introduced SiC power devices since 2015, we have strengthened our cooperation, including top management. And after many years of technical exchanges, we are pleased to announce the successful development and mass production of SiC-equipped automotive applications. The creation of this joint lab is a testament to the deepening relationship between our two companies."
The new joint lab contains equipment for the evaluation of automotive devices and applications, such as on-board chargers and DC/DC converters, and will accelerate the development of innovative SiC-centric power solutions.
SiC devices are increasingly being adopted in the electric vehicle, infrastructure, environment/energy and industrial equipment sectors; compared to silicon-based devices, they significantly reduce losses during both switching and conduction. In addition, they support operation at higher temperatures.
Kazuhide Ino, CSO and Senior Director of Power Device Business at Rohm concludes:
"Rohm develops industry-leading devices and has a proven track record in providing power solutions that combine peripheral components such as driver ICs. In the automotive sector, we will continue to strengthen our partnership through this joint research lab and contribute to the technical innovation of the industry with SiC-centric power solutions.
