Getting Started with the RDGD31603PSMKEVM Phase Inverter Evaluation Kit

Last Modified: 2021-12-02 01:44:40Supports 3 Phase Inverter Evaluation Kit for Semikron eMPack Featuring GD3160

Contents of this document

  • 1

    Out of the Box

  • 2

    Get Hardware

  • 3

    Get Software

  • 4

    Configure Hardware

Purchase your 3 Phase Inverter Evaluation Kit for Semikron eMPack Featuring GD3160

Contents of this document

1. Out of the Box

The NXP analog product development boards provide an easy-to-use platform for evaluating NXP products. The boards support a range of analog, mixed-signal and power solutions. They incorporate monolithic integrated circuits and system-in-package devices that use proven high-volume technology. NXP products offer longer battery life, a smaller form factor, reduced component counts, lower cost and improved performance in powering state-of-the-art systems.

This page will guide you through the process of setting up and using the RDGD31603PSMKEVM reference design.

1.1 Kit Contents and Packing List

The RDGD31603PSMKEVM contents include:

  • Assembled and tested RDGD31603PSMKEVM (three-phase inverter populated with 5.0 V compatible gate driver devices) board in an anti-static bag
  • 3.3 V to 5.0 V translator board (KITGD3160TREVB) connected to a FRDM-KL25Z board with micro-USB cable for using FlexGUI software control
  • Quick Start Guide

1.2 Additional Hardware

In addition to the kit contents, the following hardware is necessary or beneficial when working with this reference board.

  • Microcontroller for SPI communication
  • Compatible eMPack application kit (power module, cooler plate and DClink capacitor). Part number: eMP1300MD12SC2S-APK, article number 19285392, available on www.semikron.com
  • HV power supply with protection shield and hearing protection
  • Current sensors for monitoring each phase current
  • 12 V, 1.0 A DC power supply
  • 4-channel oscilloscope with appropriate isolated probes

1.3 Windows PC Workstation

This reference design requires a Windows PC workstation. Meeting these minimum specifications should produce great results when working with this reference design.

  • USB-enabled computer with Windows 8 or Windows10

1.4 Software

Installing software is necessary to work with this half-bridge evaluation kit. All listed software is available at RDGD31603PSMKEVM.

NextGet Hardware

2. Get Hardware

2.1 Board Features

  • Capability to perform double pulse and short-circuit tests on Phase U using KITGD3160TREVB and FlexGUI
  • Evaluation board designed for and populated with GD3160 gate drivers and protection circuitry
  • Compatible with eMPack power module family for full three-phase evaluation and development
  • Configurable daisy chain SPI communication (three high-side and three low-side gate drivers)
  • Variable flyback VCC power supply with GND reference and variable VEE supply
  • Easy access to power, ground and signal test points
  • Optional connection for DC bus voltage monitoring
  • Dedicated external fail-safe control circuitry

2.2 Board Description

The RDGD31603PSMKEVM is a fully functional three-phase inverter evaluation board populated with six GD3160 gate drivers with fault management and supporting circuitry. This board supports SPI daisy chain communication for programming and communication with three high-side gate drivers and three low-side gate drivers independently.

This board has low-voltage and high-voltage isolation in conjunction with gate drive integrated galvanic signal isolation. Other supporting features on the board include desaturation short-circuit detection, IGBT/SiC temperature sensing and DC Link bus voltage monitoring.

2.3 Board Components

Figure 1. Overview of the RDGD31603PSMKEVM Board

2.4 Kinetis KL25Z Freedom Board

The Freedom KL25Z is an ultra low-cost development platform for Kinetis L series MCU built on Arm Cortex-M0+ processor.

Figure 2. Overview of the Freedom Development Platform

2.5 3.3 V to 5.0 V Translator Board

Figure 3. Overview of the 3.3 V to 5.0 V Translator Board

Table 1.  Translator Board Jumper Definitions

Jumper Position Function
VCCSEL (J3) 1-2 selects 5.0 V for 5.0 V compatible gate drive
2-3 selects 3.3 V for 3.3 V compatible gate drive
PWMH_SEL (J4) 1-2 selects PWM high-side control from KL25Z MCU
2-3 selects PWM high-side control from fiber optic receiver inputs
PWML_SEL (J5) 1-2
2-3 selects PWM low-side control from fiber optic receiver inputs

PreviousOut of the Box
NextGet Software

3. Get Software

Software for RDGD31603PSMKEVM is distributed with the FlexGUI tool (available at nxp.com). Necessary firmware comes pre-installed on the FRDM-KL25Z with the kit.

Even 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 Install FlexGUI on Your Computer

The latest version of FlexGUI supports the GD3100 and GD3160. It is designed to run on any Windows 10 or Windows 8 based operating system.

  1. Go to FlexGUI and click Download.
  2. When the FlexGUI software page appears, click Download and select the version associated with your PC operating system.
  3. FlexGUI wizard creates a shortcut, an NXP FlexGUI icon appears on the desktop. By default, the FlexGUI executable file is installed at C:\flexgui-app-des-gd31xx.exe.

Installing the device drivers overwrites any previous FlexGUI installation and replaces it with a current version containing the GD31xx drivers. However, configuration files (.spi) from the previous version remain intact.

PreviousGet Hardware
NextConfigure Hardware

4. Configure Hardware

4.1 Configure the Hardware

To get started using the RDGD31603PSMKEVM:

  • Assemble the KL25Z microcontroller board, the translator board and the three phase board together, as shown in Figure 33, on the eMPack module
  • Connect the KL25Z via USB to a computer with FlexGUI software installed

Suggested equipment needed for test:

  • Rogowski coil high-current probe
  • High-voltage differential voltage probe
  • High sample rate digital oscilloscope with probes
  • DC link capacitor compatible with eMPack module
  • Compatible eMPack module or application kit (eMP1300MD12SC2S-APK)
  • Windows-based PC
  • High-voltage DC power supply for DC link voltage
  • Low-voltage DC power supply for VSUP
    – +12 V DC gate drive board low-voltage domain
  • Voltmeter for monitoring high-voltage DC link supply
  • Load coil for double pulse testing

Note: To enable short-circuit testing, two resistors (R43, R56) must be pulled from PWMALT phase U signals to disable Deadtime control on Phase U gate drivers.

Figure 4. Overview of the Evaluation Board and System Setup

PreviousGet Software
NextDesign Resources

Design Resources

Board Information

Additional References

In addition to our GD3160: Advanced Single-Channel High-Voltage Isolated Automotive Gate Driver for SiC MOSFETs/IGBTs page, you may also want to visit:

Gate driver pages: GD3000, GD3100, GD3160

Application pages: Hybrid and electric vehicle powertrain, Electric Vehicle (EV) Traction Inverter

PreviousConfigure Hardware