New Infineon Automotive Power Management 40V P-Channel OptiMOS™ P2 Chips Improve Energy Efficiency and Save Costs with EPS, Motor Control and Electric Pumps

Neubiberg, Germany – September 5, 2011 – Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) today introduced its latest family of single P-channel 40V automotive power MOSFETs produced using advanced trench technology. The new 40V OptiMOS™ P2 products strengthen Infineon’s leadership in power management for next-generation automotive applications by setting new benchmarks in improved energy efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and cost savings.

The new product family offers the lowest R _DS(on) P-channel 40V MOSFET in the automotive industry and provides currents from 50A to 180A in various standard packages, for more than 30 derivatives. 180A is a benchmark in P-channel technology. Applied as High-Side switches in automotive bridge applications, the P-channel 40V OptiMOS P2 products do not require additional charge pump devices, providing significant cost savings and improved EMI performance. In combination with PWM (pulse width modulation) control, the new devices offer a better thermal behavior and a better avalanche performance than N-channel MOSFETs. This makes them ideal for reverse battery protection and motor control applications in cars such as EPS (Electric Power Steering) motor controls, 3-phase and H-bridge motors i.e. windshield wipers, electric parking brake, HVAC fan controls, and electric pumps i.e. for water, oil and fuel.

Cost and efficiency advantages are creating a clear industry trend towards trench-type MOSFET concepts. Based on the second generation of Infineon’s trench technology, the OptiMOS P2 devices provide low gate charge, low capacitance, low switching losses, high currents and excellent FoM specifications (Figure of Merit, R _DS(on) x Q _g) to deliver high efficiency in electrical motors while minimizing EMC emissions. For example, an industry-wide lowest R _DS(on) of only 2.4mΩ (at 10V in D²PAK packages) is one third less compared to alternative MOSFETs on the market.

With the new P-channel 40V devices Infineon expands its product portfolio for motor controls with bridge configurations, which are widely used in automotive systems. Bridge configurations require MOSFETs both for the high-side and low-side. Compared to N-channel MOSFETs the new P-channel devices do not need an additional charge pump to implement high-side switches that drive DC brush motors or brushless 3-phase DC motors. This leads to cost savings as P-channels can also be driven by a simple drive circuit. In case of a H-bridge motor, savings may range on average between approximately 5 percent and 10 percent.

As an example, conventional hydraulic power steering is powered by the engine, which means the motor must be run continuously. With EPS, the motor is used only when necessary for assistance, which reduces fuel consumption. The replacement of hydraulic water and oil pumps by electrically controlled water and oil pumps also can make a vehicle up to four kilograms lighter which ultimately increases fuel efficiency. Electric pumps also are advantageous from an environmental viewpoint, since no oil needs to be disposed when vehicles are recycled. Additionally, electric water pumps are an absolute must-have for hybrid vehicles.

The OptiMOS P2 devices with robust packages are designed to sustain temperatures of up to 260 °C during reflow soldering at MSL1 (Moisture Sensitivity Level 1) and have lead-free plating for RoHS compliance. The power MOSFETs are fully qualified according to the specifications of Automotive Electronics Council (AEC-Q101).

Availability

The OptiMOS P2 40V family with 34 derivatives and current capabilities from 50A to 180A is in production now. Samples of all products are available in all standard power packages including TO-220, DPAK, D²PAK and TO-262, as well as in a 7-lead D²PAK. In very small volume sample quantities, the 5mΩ OptiMOS P2 40V in a DPAK package, the IPD90P04P4-05, is priced at Euro 1.02 (US-$ 1.43)

Further information

Further information on Infineon’s automotive power MOSFETs is available at www.infineon.com/automotivemosfet

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2010 fiscal year (ending September 30), the company reported sales of Euro 3.295 billion with approximately 26,650 ¹ employees worldwide. With a global presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the U.S. from Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore, and in Japan from Tokyo. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

¹Mentioned number of employees contains about 3,075 employees of the Wireless mobile phone business (Wireless Solutions), which was sold to Intel Corporation.