Project: Electronic Motor Controller
Customer Sector:
Defence
Application:
Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module for an electronic motor controller.
Franchise Technical Partner:
Transys Electronics Ltd
Technical Challenges
The project faced the daunting task of creating a unit capable of producing high peak currents (200-300 Amps) while maintaining a low RDS(ON) resistance of just 5 Ohms. The controller needed to operate IGBTs at a high voltage level of 200 Volts, all within stringent size constraints. The required dimensions were akin to a mobile phone, posing a substantial challenge in design and component integration.
The Astute Solution
Collaborating with Transys Electronics Ltd, Astute embarked on this challenge by experimenting with various IGBT transistors to ascertain the feasibility of achieving the desired electrical characteristics. After initial success, they encountered electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues, leading to the innovative incorporation of feedthrough capacitors into the compact design. Additionally, to manage heat in such a confined space, the components were built onto a baseplate that also served as a heatsink. Through numerous design iterations, the team believes they have found a solution meeting all criteria.
Further EMC testing is needed to ensure the module operates without generating spurious noise. Astute is optimistic about receiving final approval for this innovative design soon.
Prison for man who sold fake Cisco gear to US military and hospitals
Onur Aksoy, a Florida-based supplier with dual US-Turkish citizenship, has been sentenced to over six years in prison for orchestrating an elaborate scheme that generated hundreds of millions in illicit revenue. Over nearly a decade, Aksoy established a sprawling network of at least 19 companies in the US, supported by approximately 15 Amazon storefronts and 10 eBay storefronts selling counterfeit Cisco networking equipment. His scheme exemplifies the rising sophistication of counterfeiters and the vulnerability of even robust supply chains to infiltration.
Upheaval in DRAM: 15-25% price increase possible
The memory market is experiencing major upheaval under the transformative impact of AI applications. Industry leader SK Hynix reports a staggering 144.3% year-on-year surge in revenue and predicts that this strong demand trajectory will continue. This optimism aligns with predictions from multiple sources that DRAM product prices could rise by 15-25% in the second quarter.
MLCC bounce back: Murata and industry expect renewed Growth
The multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) market is signaling a significant rebound, propelled by the Chinese smartphone sector and burgeoning electric vehicle demand. Industry giant Murata reports a 30.8% increase in orders for the first quarter of 2024, a sign that a recent downturn may be reversing course.