ROHM has developed the “BD67871MWV-Z” three-phase brushless DC motor gate driver for medium voltage applications (12 to 48V systems). By incorporating ROHM’s proprietary gate drive technology TriC3, it greatly reduces FET’s switching loss while maintaining low EMI – traditionally a trade-off in motor driver ICs.
Motors account for approximately 60% of global electricity consumption, making control technology which affects energy efficiency, increasingly critical. In 12V to 48V motor drive applications, a simple configuration where an MCU controls three gate drivers has been the mainstream. However, in recent years, demands for high efficiency and precise control have grown, accelerating the adoption of solutions combining an MCU with an integrated three-phase motor driver. Further, a technical challenge in three-phase motor drivers has been the trade-off between “power consumption reduction” and “noise / EMI (electro-magnetic interference) reduction,”.
BD67871MWV-Z features ROHM’s proprietary Active Gate Drive technology “TriC3”, which rapidly senses voltage information from the external power FETs and adjust gate drive current accordingly in real-time. This greatly reduces FETs’ switching loss (and hence heat generation) FET power consumption during switching while simultaneously suppressing ringing to achieve low EMI.
Compared to ROHM’s conventional constant-current drive products, TriC3 gate drive has been demonstrated in actual motors that FET heat generation by approximately 35% while maintaining equivalent EMI levels. Furthermore, BD67871MWV-Z adopts UQFN28 package and pin layout which are commonly used in motor driver ICs for medium-voltage industrial equipment applications, contributing to reduced engineering effort required in circuit modifications and new designs.
Mass production of the new product commenced in September 2025 (sample price: $5.5/unit, tax excluded). Both the new product and its evaluation board (BD67871MWV-EVK-003) for application development are available for online purchase from online distributors such as DigiKey and MOUSER.
ROHM also offer general-purpose motor drivers (BD67870MWV-Z, BD67872MWV-Z) with the same package and pin configuration as the new product, designed for constant-voltage drive. From general-purpose types to the value-added types featuring the new TriC3, we offer a comprehensive product lineup to supports a wide variety of applications and use cases. We are committed to contributing to improved motor efficiency, enhanced application functionality, and reduced power consumption.
Application Examples
- Industrial Equipment: Various motors such as electric drills/drivers and industrial fans
- Consumer Appliances: Various motors used in vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, air conditioners, ventilation fans and E-bikes (electric-assist sports bicycles)
TriC3™
A multi-step constant current drive technology developed by ROHM. By controlling gate current in three steps, it achieves high-speed, high-efficiency operation while minimizing EMI by suppressing ringing.
• TriC3™ is a trademark or registered trademark of ROHM Co., Ltd.
Terminology
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)
EMI is used as an indicator of how much noise a product generates during operation, potentially causing malfunctions in surrounding ICs or systems. “Low EMI” means the product generates less noise.
Ringing
High-frequency oscillations or overshoot occurring during switching. This arises from the resonation between inductance and capacitance, including parasitic elements in the circuit. In the context of motor driving, ringing happens when the power MOSFETs are turned on and off.
