EPC’s GaN power ICs target robotic agility
Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) has launched the EPC91120, a high-performance 3-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive inverter optimised for humanoid robot joints.
Featuring EPC’s EPC23102 ePower Stage IC, the EPC91120 is said to deliver efficiency, high power density, and precise motion control in a compact 32 mm-diameter footprint designed to integrate directly within robotic motor assemblies.
The EPC PC91120 evaluation board integrates three EPC23102 GaN monolithic half-bridge ICs with an on-board microcontroller, current and voltage sensing, magnetic encoder interface, and RS485 communication. The system operates from 15 V to 55 V DC, delivering up to 21 A peak (15 ARMS) continuous current and 42 A peak (30 ARMS) pulsed.
The board was designed to fit the mechanical dimensions of the Unitree A1 robot motor, enabling direct evaluation in real-world robotic systems
Under natural convection cooling at 26 °C ambient, the EPC91120 delivers 7 ARMS per phase without a heatsink and up to 15 ARMS when integrated into the humanoid joint motor casing as a heatsink. Experimental results demonstrate total system efficiencies exceeding 80 percent from DC input to mechanical output, validating the design for high-torque, low-weight robotic joints.
“The EPC91120 showcases tightly integrated GaN power that makes humanoid robots lighter, faster, and smarter by embedding high-density inverter electronics within each motor joint,” said Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC.
The EPC91120 reference design boards are priced at $394.02
