Renesas Electronics, in collaboration with Nidec, has unveiled an ‘8-in-1’ proof of concept (PoC) for electric axle (E-Axle) systems, designed to control eight functions using a single microcontroller. The system integrates a motor, reduction gear, inverter, DC/DC converter, and onboard battery charger, demonstrating a compact, efficient solution for electric vehicles (EVs). This PoC, presented at electronica 2024 in Munich, is still in the prototype stage and not yet production-ready.
The integrated system includes a 70 to 100 kW inverter with a maximum efficiency of 99%, a 1.5 kW DC/DC converter, a 6.6 kW onboard charger, a power distribution unit, battery management system, and PTC heating control. The key innovation lies in the control of all eight functions through a single microcontroller, reducing the number of components, overall size, and cost. Renesas highlights that this integration brings significant advantages in terms of both performance and efficiency.
“We are excited to showcase our 8-in-1 E-Axle solution, which successfully demonstrates operational performance in collaboration with Nidec,” said Chris Allexandre, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Power at Renesas. “By offering comprehensive, system-level solutions, we are helping our customers accelerate their development timelines and bring their products to market faster.”
Building on this PoC, Nidec plans to rapidly commercialize the new E-Axle systems, while Renesas aims to provide turnkey semiconductor solutions for various X-in-1 systems. The solutions will allow developers to implement and evaluate their own X-in-1 systems quickly, facilitating the development of more efficient electric vehicles. Renesas also plans to offer system support, software, and key building blocks for future X-in-1 solutions.
Nidec, which began series production of its second-generation electric axle system (Gen.2) in October 2022, has already achieved notable advancements in power density and weight reduction. The company’s e-drive modular system, launched in 2018, offers a range of 50 to 200 kW power options, allowing Nidec to cater to a broad spectrum of vehicle segments from small cars to luxury models.