Microchip Technology Inc. has introduced three new electric vehicle (EV) charger reference designs aimed at accelerating development for both residential and commercial applications. These designs offer advanced features straight out of the box, catering to the diverse needs of EV charging infrastructure.
Streamlined Residential Charging
The first of Microchip’s designs is a single-phase residential EV charger. This compact solution integrates multiple Microchip components, including the ATM90E26 energy metering device, which measures energy transfer with precision up to 7.4 kW. The design also incorporates an Arm-based microcontroller unit (MCU) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, allowing users to monitor the charging status, rate, and other metrics through a smartphone app. The system includes safety features such as an onboard relay, residual current device (RCD) detection, and protective earth-neutral fault detection, making it a robust choice for residential applications.
Advanced Commercial Charging Solutions
For higher power needs, Microchip has developed two three-phase EV charging designs. These boards support up to 22 kW, making them suitable for commercial settings.
The first three-phase design features the ATM90E32 three-phase energy metering device, offering energy measurement accuracy within 1%. It also includes a Wi-Fi-enabled MCU and supports the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), enhancing device networking and interoperability for commercial use.
The second three-phase design builds on this with additional features, including a system-on-module that supports Wi-Fi, BLE, Controller Area Network (CAN), and a TFT display. This model allows real-time monitoring of charging status and supports NFC payment for added convenience. The advanced design also includes improved isolation to enhance user safety.
Facilitating Innovation in EV Charging
Microchip’s new reference designs aim to simplify the development process for new EV charging solutions. By providing a solid foundation with advanced features and enhanced safety, these designs help accelerate time to market for both residential and commercial applications, without compromising on efficiency or reliability.
These reference designs represent Microchip’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of the EV industry, offering scalable and feature-rich solutions to drive the future of electric vehicle charging.