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Driving the Future with Industrial Motor Drivers & Power Semiconductors

The European Union has set legal requirements for standby power, which is tightening in 2025 and further still in 2027. More importantly, customers are increasingly aware of energy ratings and the need for higher efficiencies in reducing energy costs and the carbon footprint.

Profusion represents three globally significant power semiconductor manufacturers: Nisshinbo (formerly New Japan Radio & Ricoh), Sanken Electric and UTC. Combined, these manufacturers employ over 30,000 personnel and produce some of the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective power management solutions available.

We’ve put together a simple guide to power management and highlighted just a handful of the Nisshinbo, Sanken and UTC parts we offer. The design support available from our suppliers and Profusion, together with reference designs and software tools, can help make your designs more efficient.


Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs)

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Compact 3-phase all-in-one motor drivers ideal for high-voltage industrial machinery.

These compact power modules are designed for high power motors, power conversion inverters, and servos. The package is a key advantage designed for multiple semiconductors to reduce overall space requirements, and external components.

The components mounted inside include 6 power IGBTs and 6 soft recovery power diodes, high side and low side driver ICs, plus current limit resistors and an accurate temperature sensor.

Direct Copper Bonding has been adopted in the custom package, which achieves a 20% reduction in size for the same power ratings.

Mounting the temperature sensor on the same substrate as the power components results in faster and more accurate monitoring of chip temperature. The drive circuit is mounted internally but off the substrate, running substantially cooler for improved reliability.

Multiple components in a thermally efficient single package:

  • Six output transistors (IGBT)
  • Free-wheeling diodes
  • High-side drivers
  • Low-side driver
  • Bootstrap diodes with current limiting resistors
  • Temperature-sensing thermistor – no need for external thermistor
Part No. Description Vces Ic Vce Typ.
SIM2-151A High voltage 3-phase motor driver 600V 15A 1.6V
SAM265M50BS3 3-phase brushless motor driver 650V 50A 1.70V
SAM212M05BF1 3-phase brushless motor driver 1200V 5A 1.25V


AC-DC Converters

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Sanken’s MD6751/2 offers a 3.5% improvement in efficiency - this equates to 30% less losses, and therefore smaller power components.

The MD6752 is a fully digital-controlled power supply IC, which incorporates a bridgeless PFC control circuit and an LLC current-resonant circuit. The LLC circuit incorporates a floating drive circuit that drives an external high-side power MOSFET, in addition to its functionally-rich protections such as capacitive mode detection.

The drive for energy conservation has led to more efficient controllers only possible using cycle-by-cycle digital control. The 3.5% typ. improvement in efficiency at 30% load equates to 30% less losses, and therefore at least 20% reduction in the size of the power components.

  • Award Winning Controller IC for 500W + Supplies
  • Digitally controlled with over 90% efficiency
  • Power Factor Correction
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500W supply efficiency comparison

There are different technology options available depending on power levels and target efficiency, each with its own advantages and applications:

PWM Control: These are the simplest control ICs that vary the pulse width at a single frequency and are suitable for power levels from 0 to 100W. There are added functions to improve efficiency over a wider operating range. These include: 

  1. Burst Mode: at light loads the oscillator will stop switching for a period and then burst for a short period. 
  2. Green mode: at medium loads the frequency of oscillation is reduced to a much lower value.  

Quasi-resonant: These control ICs improve efficiency by switching the power device when there is zero voltage across it, greatly reducing the switching losses. These are suitable for medium power supplies typically from 30W to 150W. There are added functions to improve efficiency over a wider operating range. These include: 

  1. Bottom skip function which limits the increase in switching frequency at light to medium loads to reduce switching losses.
  2. Automatic standby function switches to burst mode at light loads or during standby.

Critical Conduction Mode Controllers are intended to offer medium power with simple power factor control with the minimum number of components. These are ideally suited to cost sensitive products. 

  1. Only one wound inductor required using the inductor current detection method, reducing the number of components required.
  2. Decreased power consumption by limiting frequency of oscillation. 

LLC Current Resonant Controllers are suitable for high power rated supplies. These controllers feature power factor control(PFC) to ensure sinewave current draw from the mains supply. Additional functions are added to meet the standby power regulations even from a high power rated supply. These include:  

  1. Automatic deadtime control to ensure switching occurs when zero voltage is across the power switch. 
  2. Standby Function comprises burst mode plus Soft on/off. The burst mode decreases switching losses at light loads and the soft switching decreases the otherwise audible transformer noise during burst mode.
  3. X-capacitor discharge function. Another energy saving feature is added by removing the need for a resistor in the input filter which is always conducting and consuming power.

Digital Power Supply Controllers: These controllers combine the features of an LLC Current Resonant Controller with a bridgeless power factor control circuit with even more control. These controllers achieve the highest efficiency across a wide operating range.  

  1. Read more about digital power supply controllers 
Part No. Description Control Type
MD6752 Fully Digital, ultra efficient with PFC & LLC Digital
SSC3S937 High Power plus 150mW output in standby Quasi-resonant
STR3W424MXD All in one 70W output with universal input PWM
STR6S161HXD All in one 22W output with universal input PWM

Note that Profusion distinguishes between AC-DC converters and AC-DC controllers, the former having on-chip power switching device, and the latter using external MOSFETs or transistors.


EXICON Lateral MOSFETs

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Designed specifically for high power, high performance linear amplification, lateral MOSFETs are free from secondary breakdown, and offer a wide safe operating area. No need for current sharing resistors.

The complementary N channel and P channel Lateral MOSFETs were developed for high quality audio applications as they offer very low noise and very low distortion.

The characteristics of negative temperature coefficient above around 150mA make them temperature stable and ideal for easy paralleling without current sharing resistors. They are well matched so many can be used in parallel for high power designs.

Outside of audio these MOSFETs are used where precise control with low noise and high accuracy are needed. These include control of industrial print heads, scanning microscopes, and scientific magnetising coils.

Applications include:

  • Electron Microscopes (EMs)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • High-end audio amplifiers
  • X-Y plotters
  ECX10N20 ECX10P20 ECW20N20 ECW20P20
Type n-type p-type n-type p-type
Voltage 200V 200V 200V 200V
Current 8A 8A 16A 16A
Power 125W 125W 250A 250A


DC-DC Converters

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Miniature DC-DC converters running at 6Mz with the inductor built into the 2.2 x 2mm QFN package.

DC to DC converters are integrated circuits or modules that convert a DC voltage level from one level to another. They are ubiquitous now in electronic applications due to the higher efficiency over linear regulators, although LDOs are often used as well where lower noise or ripple is required.

The development of improved integrated MOSFETs on chip has enabled the converters to operate at higher switching frequencies resulting in even smaller sizes. Some even have built in inductors with the IC package.

The proximity of the inductor and switching MOSFETs reduces losses and RFI emissions, achieving up to 91% efficiency at 100mA.

The operating mode changes automatically from PWM to variable frequency modulation (VFM) so that efficiency remains high at low currents (80% at 1mA). Ideal for portable electronics.

  • 400mA output current
  • 0.6V to 5.5V adjustable
  • Soft start
  • Thermal shutdown at 140°C
  • 15μA supply current
  • 0μA in standby
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The RM590L002D is a 400mA step down DC-DC converter module with the inductor placed on the chip, within a 2.2 x 2 mm QFN package.

The RM590L002D has an adjustable output range of 0.6V to 5.5V and works with just 15µA supply current or 0µA in standby. Other functions include soft start, under voltage protection, inductor current limit, auto discharge, and thermal shut down at 140°C.

Fixed voltage options are also available.

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Typical application circuit

Buck Converter: Also known as a step-down converter, it lowers the input voltage to a lower output voltage. It's widely used in applications where you need to power devices with lower voltage requirements than the input source. 

Boost Converter: Also known as a step-up converter, it increases the input voltage to a higher output voltage.  

Buck-Boost Converter: This type of converter can step up or step down the input voltage, depending on the requirements. It's useful in applications where the input voltage can vary widely, and a stable output voltage is needed. 

Charge Pump Converter: This is a simple type of DC to DC converter that uses capacitors as energy storage elements. It's commonly used for low-power applications where simplicity and low cost are priorities, for example phantom power for microphones, or on-chip piezo drivers. 

Input Voltage Range: Switching regulator ICs are available in a wide range of input / output voltages and current handling capabilities, making them versatile for various power supply designs. We offer integrated options as high as 60V and modules to 100V input. 

Efficiency: Switching regulator ICs are known for their high efficiency compared to linear regulators. They can achieve efficiencies upwards of 90% in many cases, resulting in reduced power dissipation and longer battery life in portable devices. 

Control Method: Switching regulator ICs employ various control methods such as voltage mode control, current mode control, or hysteretic control to regulate the output voltage. Each control method has its advantages and is suited to different applications and performance requirements. 

Protection Features: Most switching regulator ICs include built-in protection features such as overcurrent protection, thermal shutdown, input/output overvoltage protection, and reverse polarity protection to ensure safe operation and protect the IC and connected components from damage. 

Additional Features: Some switching regulator ICs offer additional features such as soft-start, synchronization, adjustable switching frequency, and external compensation to provide designers with greater flexibility and control over the power supply design. 

Transient response: For some applications like microprocessor startups there can be large swings in power demand that need to be regulated.   

Part No. Description Supply Voltage (Min) Supply Voltage (Max) Max Frequency
NJW4128 Switching regulator for buck converter current mode control with 40V/2.5A MOSFET 4V 40V 450kHz
NJW4153 Switching regulator for buck converter current mode control with 40V/1A MOSFET 4.5V 40V 1,000kHz
RP509 Low supply current PWM/VFM step-down DC/DC converter 2.3V 6.5V 7.2MHz
RP602 6.5V buck-boost DC/DC converter with synchronous rectifier 2.3V 6.5V 2.6MHz
P1690 PWM buck (step-down) DC/DC converter 4V 65V 180kHz
P1786 3A step-down switching regulator control 4V 23V 360kHz
RADCB15A5 Audio power module 6V 24V 450kHz
AUX-PLANT Compact and versatile DC/DC converter 30V 100V 133kHz


Super Junction MOSFETs

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High voltage, low loss, low cost MOSFETs with rugged avalanche characteristics. For AC-DC converters and motor drivers.

These cost competitive high voltage super junction MOSFETs are available in a large number of packages including TO247, TO3P, TO220, TO220F, TO252, TO263 and DNF8080-4.

There is a wide range of characterised MOSFETs from 1A to 75A, and 500V to 1200V. We will be able to match your optimum requirements in both ratings and package style.

P/N Voltage Current Rds Qc Package
13NM60G-TN3-R 600V 13A 0.42Ω 28nC TO220x TO252
18NM60G-TQ2-R 600V 18A 0.28Ω 38nC TO252 TO263
21NM60L 600V 21A 0.19Ω 74nC TO220 TO3PF
60NM60L 600V 60A 0.065Ω 156nC TO247 TO3P
60NM65G-T47-T 650V 60A 0.065Ω 174nC TO247
18NM65G 650V 18A 0.33Ω 44nC TO252 DFN8080-4
24NM65G 650V 24A 0.16Ω 66nC TO220x DFN8080-4
30NM65L 650V 30A 0.14Ω 77nC TO220x TO247
8NM70L 700V 8A 0.85Ω 22nC TO22x TO252
12NM80G-TF1-T 800V 12A 0.42Ω 50nC TO220x
12NM80G-TQ2-R 800V 12A 0.42Ω 50nC TO263
21NM80-Q 800V 21A 0.3Ω 73nC TO220F DFN8080-4
8NM120G-TF1-T 1200V 8A 1.35Ω 52nC TO220F1
8NM120G-TN3-R 1200V 8A 1.35Ω 52nC TO25

About Profusion

Profusion Ltd is a specialist semiconductor distributor that has supplied the audio and electronics industry for nearly 35 years, forging close ties with global partners who design and manufacture a wide range of state-of-the-art components.

In 2022 we added industrial focused and power components to our range to meet the growing demands of electrification. Our objectives are to help improve power conversion efficiency which reduces overall energy demand and resources. In addition, we aim for improved functionality and reliability that will help products last longer and be more sustainable.

Profusion has locations in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Germany and Denmark. We have the inventory, pricing and expertise to meet your semiconductor and electronic component demands.