Infineon TLE9180-21QK: A Highly Integrated System Basis Chip for Automotive Motor Control Applications

The rapid evolution of automotive electrification demands increasingly sophisticated and reliable electronic control units (ECUs), particularly for motor-driven systems such as electric power steering (EPS), braking, and thermal management. Addressing this need, Infineon Technologies introduces the TLE9180-21QK, a state-of-the-art System Basis Chip (SBC) engineered to serve as the power and communication backbone for motor control applications.

This highly integrated device is designed to significantly reduce system complexity and board space by consolidating multiple critical functions into a single 48-pin QFN package. At its core, the TLE9180-21QK features a high-efficiency DC-DC buck controller, capable of generating the stable 3.3 V or 5 V supplies required for microcontrollers (MCUs) and sensors. It also includes two fully independent LIN system bus transceivers compliant with the latest LIN 2.x/SAE J2602 standards, enabling robust and cost-effective communication with other nodes in the vehicle network.

A key strength of this SBC lies in its focus on safety and robustness, paramount in automotive environments. It incorporates multiple voltage regulators and watchdog circuits for monitoring the external MCU, ensuring safe operation even in the event of a microcontroller failure. Furthermore, the chip is built to withstand the harsh electrical conditions of an automobile, offering excellent ESD protection and resilience against load dump and transients as specified by OEM requirements.

For motor control applications, the TLE9180-21QK provides dedicated driver stages for up to six N-channel MOSFETs, simplifying the interface between the MCU and the power stage. This integration, combined with its comprehensive suite of diagnostic and protection features—including overtemperature, overvoltage, and undervoltage monitoring—makes it an ideal companion for Infineon’s AURIX™ MCU family, creating a powerful and secure platform for developing next-generation motor drive systems.

ICGOODFIND: The Infineon TLE9180-21QK stands out as a premier highly integrated SBC that masterfully combines power management, network communication, and safety monitoring. It effectively lowers total system cost, shrinks the PCB footprint, and accelerates the development of robust and safety-compliant automotive motor control ECUs, making it an exceptional choice for designers tackling the challenges of modern vehicle electrification.

Keywords: System Basis Chip (SBC), Automotive Motor Control, Highly Integrated, LIN Transceiver, Diagnostic and Protection Features.