Getting Started with the RDGD3162MITEVM

2.1 Board Features

• Capabilities to perform double-pulse and short-circuit tests on phase W using KITGD316xTREVB and FlexGUI 2; see phase W schematics and FlexGUI 2 pulse tab (Figure 18 and Figure 20)
• Evaluation board designed for and populated with GD3162 gate drivers and protection circuitry
• Capability to connect to Mitsubishi SiC specific modules for full three-phase evaluation and development
• Daisy-chain SPI communication × 3 - 2 channel (three high-side gate drivers and three low-side gate drivers)
• Flyback VCC power supply with GND reference negative VEE supply

2.2 Kit Featured Components

Refer to the GD3162 advanced IGBT/SiC gate-driver data sheet for specific information about pinout, pin descriptions, specifications and operating modes. The VPWR DC supply terminal is a low-voltage input connection for supplying power to the low-voltage nonisolated die and related circuitry. Power is typically supplied by the vehicle battery (12 V DC). The KITGD316xTREVB included with the kit (MCU and translator) can be attached to this board at the top of the dual-row header pin interface. All gate drivers can be accessed via SPI control using FlexGUI 2 software.

Figure 1. RDGD3162 Three-Phase Inverter Board Voltage Domains and Interfaces

Figure 1. RDGD3162 Three-Phase Inverter Board Voltage Domains and Interfaces

Software for the RDGD3162MITEVM is distributed with the FlexGUI 2 for GD3162 software tool (available on nxp.com). Necessary firmware comes preinstalled on the FRDM-KL25Z with the kit.

If the user intends to test with other software or PWM, it is recommended to install this software as a backup or to help debugging.

3.1 Installing FlexGUI 2 for the GD3162 on a Computer

The latest version of FlexGUI supports the GD3162 gate driver. It is designed to run on any Windows 10 or higher operating system. To install the software, do the following:

1. Go to the FlexGUI page and click Download
2. When the FlexGUI 2 software page appears, click Download FlexGUI 2 for GD3162 Advanced Gate Driver Evaluation Software
3. The FlexGUI 2 for GD3162 Wizard creates a shortcut. An NXP FlexGUI 2 icon appears on the desktop. Installing the device drivers overwrites any previous FlexGUI 2 installation and replaces it with a current version containing the GD3162 drivers. However, configuration files (.spi) from the previous version remain intact

4.1 Configure Hardware

The RDGD3162MITEVM with the KITGD316xTREVM attached is shown in Figure 2 using Windows-based PC and FlexGUI 2 for GD3162 software.

Note: Double-pulse and short-circuit testing can be conducted on phase W only. See Section 3.1.

Suggested equipment needed for test:

• Rogowski coil high-current probe
• High-voltage differential voltage probes
• High sample rate digital oscilloscope with probes
• DC-link capacitor compatible with Mitsubishi CTF700CJ3D130 power module
• Mitsubishi CTF700CJ3D130 SiC power module
• Windows-based PC
• High-voltage DC power supply for DC link voltage
• Low-voltage 12 V DC power supply for VPWR
• Voltmeter for monitoring high-voltage DC-link supply
• Load coil for double-pulse testing (phase W only)

Note: To enable short-circuit testing on phase W only, two resistors must be removed from PWMALT phase U signals to disable dead-time control on phase W gate drivers.

Figure 2. Evaluation Setup Using KITGD316xTREVM and FlexGUI

Figure 2. Evaluation Setup Using KITGD316xTREVM and FlexGUI

Board Information

RDGD3162MITEVM detailed information on this board, including documentation, downloads and software and tools RDGD3162MITEVM.

• RDGD3162MITEVM Design Files
• RDGD3162MITEVM Schematics
• UM12208, RDGD3162MITEVM Three-Phase Inverter Reference Design User Manual

Additional References

In addition to the GD3162 product page, you may also want to visit:

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Traction Inverter
• Motor Drives
• TJA1153, Secure HS-CAN Transceiver with Sleep Mode
• TJA1152, Secure HS-CAN Transceiver with Standby Mode