TOKYO, June 19, 2003 -- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (President and CEO: Tamotsu Nomakuchi) today introduced a super high reliability Dual-In-Line Package Intelligent Power Module (DIP-IPM) which targets the motor inverter drive applications in electric vehicles such as the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). This DIP-IPM product is the first of its kind in the world.

The IPM is a vital component in electric vehicles, which controls their electrical drive motors and auxiliary motors for air conditioners, etc. It will be mass-produced as a transfer-mold^[1] DIP-IPM with high reliability and superior productivity.

Recently the energy-savings concept has become a main theme in HEV and FCEV development. Therefore smaller more reliable IPMs will be in high demand to efficiently run electrical drive motors and auxiliary motors for air conditioners, etc.

Until now, DIP-IPM products were mainly used for inverter electrical drives in home appliances such as room air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. Since a higher reliability has now been achieved this new DIP-IPM can be utilized in automobiles, contributing to a greater miniaturization of automobile inverter drive systems.


There are three main features for this application:

1. High Reliability with Reduced Mounting Surface Area
Development of high quality IPMs should improve product performance in harsh environmental conditions. Failure probability has been greatly minimized through quality control management. The temperature cycle capability has been improved considerably by employing the new structure power chips (IGBT^[2], FWD^[3], HVIC^[4], LVIC^[5]). By using the new IPM, the mounting surface area of the device and its interface circuit is reduced by about 40 percent, compared with traditional IPMs with the same 30A/600V rating. This results in considerable space savings.

2. Simplified Circuit Design by High Active Drive Logic
The start up sequence of the control supply is required as a countermeasure against possible malfunctions during the control supply power on-and-off period in a traditional IPM system. With the high active drive logic, this requirement is no longer necessary. Furthermore, the new approach offers a versatile interface compatible to 3V class MCU or DSP.

3. Reduction of malfunctioning by EMI^[6] Noise Reduction
By optimizing the switching speed, EMI noise in the new DIP-IPM has been reduced by about 10db in comparison with traditional products.

Photo:	Mitsubishi Electric's Dual-In-Line Package Intelligent Power Module (PS21867-AJ)

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About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company has operations in 35 countries and recorded consolidated group sales of 3,639 billion yen (US$30.3 billion*) in the year ended March 31, 2003.
*At an exchange rate of 120 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2003.

Inquiries (media only):

Robert "Bob" Barz Public Relations Department Tel: +81-3-3218-2346 Email: Robert.Barz@hq.melco.co.jp