Concept for a GaN-Based Intelligent Motor Controller with Integrated Failure Prediction for the Inverter and the Drive

Power electronics based on gallium nitride (GaN) or silicon carbide enable more efficient and compact drives for industry and mobility - with particularly demanding requirements for dynamics and reliability. In the joint research project "PowerCare", three Fraunhofer institutes combine their expertise to research a novel, miniaturized motor controller with integrated real-time failure prediction, yielding increased time to-market for novel power electronics in mission critical applications. The custom controller combines integrated fault prediction for both the inverter electronics and the motor, utilizing a domain-specific RISC-V processor.
This paper gives an insight into the system concepts for modelling the degradation of power electronics and the motor in electrical drive systems. Additionally, opportunities and application scenarios of vertical GaN MOSFETs and intelligent motor controllers are highlighted, and initial development results are provided.