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How EV Charger Reference Designs Speed Market Adoption
Learn how Microchip's EV charger reference designs accelerate development, enhance reliability, and cater to diverse needs, from residential to commercial applications.
3 Min Read
Electric vehicles charging.Narongrit Doungmanee/ iStock / Getty Images Plus
As the global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) surges, the reliability and performance of EV chargers become increasingly crucial. EV manufacturers strive to deliver chargers that are robust, weather-resistant, and user-friendly. In this context, reference designs play a pivotal role in streamlining the development process and accelerating time to market.
Key advantages of EV charger reference designs
EV charger reference designs are crucial tools for accelerating the development and deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Here are some general advantages of these designs:
Accelerated Time to Market: Reference designs provide a blueprint for developing EV chargers, including detailed hardware and software components. By utilizing these pre-developed solutions, manufacturers can significantly shorten the design and development phase, allowing faster time-to-market for new products.
Enhanced Reliability and Performance: These designs often incorporate advanced features and safety mechanisms that are thoroughly tested and validated. This ensures that the resulting chargers are reliable and meet industry standards, essential for gaining consumer trust and regulatory approval.
Scalability and Flexibility: Reference designs are often adaptable to various applications, ranging from residential to commercial charging stations. This flexibility allows manufacturers to easily scale their solutions to meet different market needs, whether for home use or high-demand public charging infrastructure.
User Experience and Robust Operation: Many reference designs include user-friendly interfaces and durable components designed to withstand harsh environments. This focus on usability and durability enhances end-users' overall experience and ensures the charging stations' long-term operation.
Microchip’s EV charger reference designs
Microchip Technology, a provider of smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions, has recently introduced three versatile EV Charger Reference Designs that cater to various market needs. These designs are engineered to address the diverse requirements of residential and commercial charging applications, offering a comprehensive solution to manufacturers.
1. Single-Phase AC Residential EV Charger Reference Design: According to the company, it offers a cost-effective and convenient solution for home charging, where a single-phase supply is used. The on-board high-performance energy metering device with automatic calibration simplifies the production process. The design has integrated safety protection features including Protective Earth Neutral (PEN) fault detection and Residual Current Device (RCD) detection.
Single-Phase AC Residential EV Charger Reference Design. Courtesy of Microchip Technology.
2. Three-Phase AC Commercial with OCPP and Wi-Fi SoC EV Charger Reference Design: It is intended for high-end residential and commercial charging stations. It features OCPP 1.6 stack integration for communication with charging networks and Wi-Fi SoC for remote management.
Three-Phase AC Commercial with OCPP and Wi-Fi SoC EV Charger Reference Design. Courtesy of Microchip Technology.
3. Three-Phase AC Commercial with OCPP and Display EV Charger Reference Design: It caters to commercial and public charging stations with a focus on robust operation including a completed architecture review according to UL 2231. It is designed to support up to 22 kW with bidirectional charging capabilities and a modular architecture. The design also features a robust Graphical User Interface (GUI) with a Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) screen and touch input designed to withstand harsh environments.
Three-Phase AC Commercial with OCPP and Display EV Charger Reference Design. Courtesy of Microchip Technology.
By leveraging reference designs, EV charger manufacturers can focus on innovation and deployment, driving the global expansion of EV charging infrastructure.
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