Commercial HVAC system

Semiconductors for commercial HVAC motor control systems

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Overview

Economic growth and warmer temperatures are significant drivers for the growing electricity consumption worldwide. C-HVAC systems, serving power ranges from 3 kW to 75 kW, can keep temperatures comfortable, the humidity consistent, and the indoor air quality high. In this context, setting higher efficiency standards for cooling would contribute to cutting emissions and reducing costs.

Benefits

  • Full power scalability
  • Reduced system cost
  • Faster time-to-market
  • Higher efficiency
  • Enhanced reliability
  • Broad portfolio

Block diagram

About

Todays trends in the commercial HVAC market

The commercial HVAC market is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by several converging trends that are reshaping system design requirements.

The rapid expansion of AI and hyperscale data centers is creating an entirely new category of high-density cooling demand, pushing conventional HVAC technology to its limits and requiring more powerful, efficient, and reliable solutions than ever before.

At the same time, rising global energy consumption is intensifying pressure on system designers to maximize efficiency at every level. Wide-bandgap (WBG) technologies such as SiC and CoolGaN™ are emerging as the key enabler here, delivering significantly lower switching losses, higher operating frequencies, and reduced passive component size — making them the technology of choice for next-generation C-HVAC systems.

The transition to next-generation low-GWP refrigerants — including A2L and propane-based formulations — is another major trend reshaping the industry. These refrigerants require new safety measures, most notably refrigerant leakage detection, making reliable and accurate leakage sensors an essential component of modern C-HVAC system design.

Infineon's broad portfolio — spanning wide-bandgap power semiconductors, gate drivers, microcontrollers, and sensors — is uniquely positioned to address all of these trends within a single, integrated solution platform.

Power solutions for C-HVAC

We offer optimal products for C-HVAC applications specifically designed for larger commercial and industrial buildings such as hospitals, hotels, factories, multi-level offices, and increasingly, AI and hyperscale data centers.

The EconoDUAL™ and Easy module families offer an optimally suited portfolio of solutions for controlling the compressor motor, emphasizing the latest IGBT7 technology. For the highest efficiency demands, Infineon's CoolSiC™ MOSFETs deliver the next level of performance — enabling higher switching frequencies, lower losses, and reduced system size compared to conventional IGBT-based designs. For smaller compressor or fan control capacities, our Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs) and Easy modules provide compact and cost-effective solutions.

More about IGBTs
More about IPMs
Gate driver and SiC solutions for C-HVAC

Our broad EiceDRIVER™ portfolio scales from basic to advanced functionality. The EiceDRIVER™ compact isolated gate driver family now includes X3 Compact 1ED31xx family, with a Miller clamp or separate output function. The active Miller clamp function is highly recommended for SiC MOSFET 0 V turn off and up to 14 A output current.

More about gate drivers
More about CoolSIC™ MOSFETs
Microcontroller and security solutions for C-HVAC

Selecting the right motor controller for commercial HVAC applications depends on your specific requirements — whether it is processing speed, memory, pin count, or form factor. Infineon has you covered across the full range of C-HVAC system complexity.

For cost-sensitive, single motor control applications, the PSoC™ Control C1 is the ideal choice, offering a simple and affordable solution without compromising performance.

For more demanding applications, the PSoC™ Control C3 handles dual motor control — simultaneously managing both fan and compressor — while supporting high-frequency PFC topologies such as the Totem Pole PFC. With switching frequencies of up to 120 kHz, it reduces passive component size and cost significantly, achieving a relative inductor cost reduction of over 65% compared to standard motor control MCUs.

For large-scale systems requiring connectivity, building automation integration, or predictive maintenance, the PSoC™ and XMC™ microcontroller families deliver the necessary processing power and flexibility.

As C-HVAC systems become increasingly connected, cybersecurity becomes critical. Infineon's OPTIGA™ Trust security controllers provide hardware-based device authentication, secure firmware updates, and encrypted communication — protecting connected systems against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

More about microcontrollers
More about OPTIGA™ Trust
Todays trends in the commercial HVAC market

The commercial HVAC market is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by several converging trends that are reshaping system design requirements.

The rapid expansion of AI and hyperscale data centers is creating an entirely new category of high-density cooling demand, pushing conventional HVAC technology to its limits and requiring more powerful, efficient, and reliable solutions than ever before.

At the same time, rising global energy consumption is intensifying pressure on system designers to maximize efficiency at every level. Wide-bandgap (WBG) technologies such as SiC and CoolGaN™ are emerging as the key enabler here, delivering significantly lower switching losses, higher operating frequencies, and reduced passive component size — making them the technology of choice for next-generation C-HVAC systems.

The transition to next-generation low-GWP refrigerants — including A2L and propane-based formulations — is another major trend reshaping the industry. These refrigerants require new safety measures, most notably refrigerant leakage detection, making reliable and accurate leakage sensors an essential component of modern C-HVAC system design.

Infineon's broad portfolio — spanning wide-bandgap power semiconductors, gate drivers, microcontrollers, and sensors — is uniquely positioned to address all of these trends within a single, integrated solution platform.

Power solutions for C-HVAC

We offer optimal products for C-HVAC applications specifically designed for larger commercial and industrial buildings such as hospitals, hotels, factories, multi-level offices, and increasingly, AI and hyperscale data centers.

The EconoDUAL™ and Easy module families offer an optimally suited portfolio of solutions for controlling the compressor motor, emphasizing the latest IGBT7 technology. For the highest efficiency demands, Infineon's CoolSiC™ MOSFETs deliver the next level of performance — enabling higher switching frequencies, lower losses, and reduced system size compared to conventional IGBT-based designs. For smaller compressor or fan control capacities, our Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs) and Easy modules provide compact and cost-effective solutions.

More about IGBTs
More about IPMs
Gate driver and SiC solutions for C-HVAC

Our broad EiceDRIVER™ portfolio scales from basic to advanced functionality. The EiceDRIVER™ compact isolated gate driver family now includes X3 Compact 1ED31xx family, with a Miller clamp or separate output function. The active Miller clamp function is highly recommended for SiC MOSFET 0 V turn off and up to 14 A output current.

More about gate drivers
More about CoolSIC™ MOSFETs
Microcontroller and security solutions for C-HVAC

Selecting the right motor controller for commercial HVAC applications depends on your specific requirements — whether it is processing speed, memory, pin count, or form factor. Infineon has you covered across the full range of C-HVAC system complexity.

For cost-sensitive, single motor control applications, the PSoC™ Control C1 is the ideal choice, offering a simple and affordable solution without compromising performance.

For more demanding applications, the PSoC™ Control C3 handles dual motor control — simultaneously managing both fan and compressor — while supporting high-frequency PFC topologies such as the Totem Pole PFC. With switching frequencies of up to 120 kHz, it reduces passive component size and cost significantly, achieving a relative inductor cost reduction of over 65% compared to standard motor control MCUs.

For large-scale systems requiring connectivity, building automation integration, or predictive maintenance, the PSoC™ and XMC™ microcontroller families deliver the necessary processing power and flexibility.

As C-HVAC systems become increasingly connected, cybersecurity becomes critical. Infineon's OPTIGA™ Trust security controllers provide hardware-based device authentication, secure firmware updates, and encrypted communication — protecting connected systems against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

More about microcontrollers
More about OPTIGA™ Trust
Documents

Design resources

Partner solutions

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