Renesas Electronics introduces smart power devices targeted for automotive applications

     Renesas Electronics has announced 14 new Intelligent Power devices (IPDs), including the μPD166023, designed for automotive applications to drive external lights such as headlights and fog lamps, as well as seat heaters and motors.

     IPD is a power IC device integrated into a single package or a single chip. The power semiconductor switch (power metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)) and control circuit can be used as an interface for a microcontroller (MCU) and provide protection and self-diagnosis. Renesas has been mass-producing IPDs for automotive body applications for many years, and this new IPD extends the existing product range and increases the performance level to meet strong market demand.

     The use of semiconductor switches is now more common than ever, and the load requirements and applications continue to grow, including a variety of automotive drive applications, including external headlights such as headlights, fog lights, warning lights (directional lights) and brake lights, as well as various types of heaters and motors. In response to market demand, Renesas has expanded its product range with 14 new IPD products with pins compatible with other products using the same package configuration.

     The new products are designed to detect and handle error conditions immediately to provide a high level of durability. For example, external headlight applications require long wiring harnesses to connect the control unit to the headlight, which can lead to undesirable conditions such as short-circuited loads. The driver of the car may not be aware of these adverse conditions, resulting in severe load stress on the switch, and the enhanced features of the new product can extend the durability of the device.

     The design of the new product includes a self-diagnostic function that immediately detects and handles error states to provide a high level of durability and ensure system-level functional safety.