Flexible Electronics News

Toyota Selects STMicroelectronics’ Microcontrollers, Power Semiconductors for New Prius

Integration with car maker’s software enables highly efficient voltage conversion, low heat dissipation.

Author Image

By: DAVID SAVASTANO

Contributing Editor, Coatings World and Ink World

STMicroelectronics announced that its 32-bit automotive microcontrollers and Power MOSFETs have been selected by Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) for the DC-DC converter in Toyota’s new, fourth-generation Prius hybrid-vehicle platform.

The DC-DC converter underlies the power control unit, the heart of a hybrid electric vehicle, along with the inverter and the variable-voltage system. ST provides 32-bit automotive MCUs for the new Prius’ DC/DC converter, which controls the voltage reduction of the current generated from the battery or generator that is used by the vehicle’s 14V subsystems, such as the car radio, lighting and wipers. The components’ integration with TICO’s software enables highly efficient voltage conversion and low heat dissipation, and contributes to the miniaturization of the power control unit.

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Ink World magazine Newsletters