Zero Cross Detection ICs for Home Appliances

Contributing to minimizing standby power and improving reliability

Willich-Münchheide, Germany, September 24, 2020 – ROHM’s BM1ZxxxFJ integrated zero cross detection IC series is optimized for home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and air conditioners. (fig. 1) The rising demand for smart home devices and IoT applications has added communication functionality (i.e. Wi-Fi) to home appliances. As it is necessary for such devices to always be ON to maintain communication, manufacturers are required to reduce standby power consumption even more to around 0.5W. This calls for lower standby power consumption by the motor and power supply blocks along with innovative new technologies. Many appliances require a zero cross detection circuit for detecting the 0V point (zero cross point) of the AC waveform in order to provide efficient control of both motors and MCUs. However, in terms of power consumption, conventional zero cross detection circuits utilize a photocoupler that accounts for nearly half of the standby power of the entire system. (fig. 2+3) In response, ROHM developed the first integrated zero cross detection solution for power supplies in the home appliance sector. The integrated zero cross detection IC provides designers a turn-key zero cross detector without the need for a complex design using discrete components. Additionally, this integrated solution does not use a photo-coupler typically used in other solutions, and, therefore, it further reduces standby current consumption and increases long-term reliability. Not surprisingly, this feature has been well identified by appliances manufactures and already considered in the qualification phase. The BM1ZxxxFJ series reduces standby power consumption of the zero cross circuit to just 0.01W while continuously powering the system. Also, the error in delay time (which varies depending on the AC voltage) that exists with conventional photocoupler-equipped zero cross detection circuits is limited to ±50µs or less. This allows for the efficient drive of motors – even with the different AC supply voltages used in various countries and regions – as well as MCUs. At the same time, eliminating the need for a photocoupler contributes to greater application reliability by reducing risks related to age-based degradation. Both pulse and edge waveforms used in home appliance specifications are supported by the BM1ZxxxFJ series, eliminating the need for software changes when replacing conventional zero cross detection circuits. ROHM offers six models to ensure compatibility with a wide range of home appliances. (tab. 1) Supports Two Output Waveforms Depending on Specifications (fig. 4) Evaluation Board An integrated zero cross detection IC development board is available that integrates a power supply for driving ROHM’s integrated zero cross detection IC, facilitating device evaluation. This evaluation board is designed to simplify the decision-making process for designers when considering replacement of existing circuits using a photocoupler. Sales Launch Date: Available Now Support Page: https://www.rohm.com/products/power-management/ac-voltage-zero-cross-detection-ics (A user’s manual for the evaluation board is also available) Evaluation Board Lineup (tab. 2, fig. 5)

About ROHM ROHM Semiconductor is a global company of 3.326 billion US dollars per March 31st, 2020 with 22,191 employees. The company develops and manufactures a very large product range from the Ultra-Low Power Microcontroller, Power Management, Standard ICs, SiC Diodes, MOSFETs and Modules, Power Transistors and Diodes, LEDs to passives components such as Resistors, Tantalum Capacitors and LED display units, thermal Printheads. The production of our high performing products is taking place in state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and China. LAPIS Semiconductor (former OKI Semiconductor), SiCrystal GmbH and Kionix are companies of the ROHM Semiconductor Group. ROHM Semiconductor Europe has its Head Office near Dusseldorf serving the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). For further information, please contact www.rohm.com/eu