Alpha launches gallium nitride robot joint module for the first time

Recently, Zhongke Alpha Technology Co., Ltd. released a robot joint module (model: ZK-RIO -- PRO -- B) driven by gallium nitride (GaN).The joint module adopts a low-cost planetary gearbox solution, which significantly reduces costs and improves performance. Zhongke Alpha continues to deepen its research and development of robot power system components, providing low-cost, low latency, low-power, and high-performance solutions for the global robotics industry, and promoting the healthy development of the embodied intelligence industry chain. ZK-RI 80-40-PRO-101-B is now available for ordering and is suitable for intelligent transmission fields such as industrial robots, embodied robots, and special wide temperature robot equipment.

This module uses gallium nitride high electron mobility power chips, which have significant advantages in high energy conversion efficiency and low temperature rise compared to the previous generation of robot joints using silicon-based MOS transistors. A higher switching frequency of 2MHz can achieve 99.2% energy conversion efficiency, while supporting 10ns level fast switching characteristics (40% higher than traditional Si based MOS transistor schemes), with a temperature rise Δ T ≤ 25K @ full load. Especially outstanding in energy efficiency and heat dissipation, humanoid robots can maintain low energy consumption and stable temperature during long-term work, thereby improving the robot's endurance and stability. Joint overheating? Insufficient battery life? Revealing new challenges in motor technology. On April 19th, the world's first half marathon of humanoid robots was held in Yizhuang, Beijing. Through this competition, the technical shortcomings that need to be addressed in the development of the robotics industry have become clearer and more defined. For example, problems such as joint overheating leading to performance degradation or falls, insufficient dynamic balance ability, and the need for multiple battery replacements can provide direction for the subsequent development of the industry

Built in Zhongke Wireless Semiconductor AI ASIC embodied robot power system chip family joint series "GaN array driver chip", with 250Hz high-frequency neural reflection and 5ms full link delay, which is crucial for achieving fast and accurate motion control of humanoid robots. High frequency neural reflexes can ensure that robots respond quickly in complex environments, while low latency ensures the smoothness and coherence of actions. This technology uses physical 3D modeling and multi-modal sensor data fusion to output array control signals that simultaneously control dozens of joints of the robot in 5ms, not only maintaining the stability of the robot during high-speed motion, but also significantly reducing the development and training time of the robot. This joint module technology will undoubtedly accelerate the development of "robot physical motion control models" towards standardization and generalization.

The customized design of Zhongke wireless semiconductor AI ASIC chip is adopted, integrating AM digital drive, GaN array, ADC 17bit magnetic coding multi-source sensor, and the innovative CPWM algorithm uses phase shift modulation and chaotic pulse width technology to increase the equivalent switching frequency to four times the fundamental frequency, adaptive dead zone compensation to eliminate GaN harmonic distortion and the self-developed Manchester coded instant messaging interface, and multi-channel parallel communication. Compared with the traditional CAN communication serial connection method, sending messages by queuing is likely to cause insufficient computing resources of MCU. In addition, joint overheating introduces MCU restart and stop work, which leads to the robot losing electromotive force of a joint during walking, leading to unstable posture and falling.