Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and soft starters are essential components in modern industrial and commercial systems. VFDs provide precise control over motor speed, torque, and efficiency, matching speed to load requirements to minimize energy consumption. Soft starters gradually increase motor voltage to limit inrush current and prevent damage to the electrical system. Controlled inrush current […]
Featured Contributions
Meeting demand for hidden wearables via Schottky rectifiers
Consumers demand increasingly powerful yet compact electronic devices in today’s fast-paced world. From smartphones and laptops to wearable technology, these devices must deliver high performance while fitting into our increasingly mobile lifestyles. Engineers constantly seek innovative solutions to meet these demands and enhance device efficiency, battery life, and overall user experience. Advancements in battery technology […]
The case for vehicle 48 V power systems
Moving from 12 to 48 V systems will reduce vehicle weight through thinner, lighter cables. Tradeoffs include more stringent safety requirements. As vehicles integrate advanced features such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and electric turbocharging, the limitations of traditional 12 V systems become increasingly evident. To meet these and other power-hungry applications, […]
GaN reliability milestones break through the silicon ceiling
The semiconductor industry is at a point where performance, efficiency, and reliability must advance in parallel. The needs of AI infrastructure, electric mobility, power conversion, and communications systems are pushing materials to their limits. Gallium Nitride (GaN) is gaining attention because it can meet those needs. The industry has reached a point where the conversation […]
Developing power architecture to support autonomous transportation
New and innovative vehicles are being developed to support more autonomous activity in transport for warehousing, logistics, agriculture, and distribution. The power requirements for these applications have triggered the development of new solutions from semiconductor manufacturers. Electrification in the automotive industry continues to generate headlines as consumers want to learn more about the features and […]
What makes SiC tick?
Silicon carbide is a notoriously hard and complex material. Wafer production for fabricating SiC power semiconductors leverages intensive engineering of manufacturing processes, specifications, and equipment to achieve commercial quality and cost-effectiveness. Necessity and invention Wide-bandgap semiconductors are changing the game in power electronics, enabling system-level efficiency to move beyond the practical limits of silicon devices […]
Mitigate reverse recovery overshoot in MOSFET body diodes
Because of their compact size, higher efficiency, and superior performance in high-power applications, SiC MOSFETs are now replacing Si devices in switching applications. SiC devices enable faster switching times, significantly reducing switching losses. These advantages stem from the unique electrical and material properties of SiC-based devices — snappy reverse recovery inherent to the structure of […]
Bipolar junction transistors show their muscle
Recent enhancements to the classic BJT show that the classic transistor has plenty of life left and can challenge SiC and GaN devices in some power applications. Amidst the advances in CMOS and wide bandgap semiconductor technology, you can easily forget that the first transistor invented by William Shockley in 1949 was a bipolar junction […]
Selection and implementation of BLDC control strategy
By Shao Zhang, Qorvo Understanding the differences between trapezoidal, sinusoidal, and field-oriented control can help engineers understand the value of Field Oriented Control (FOC) and the choices available to optimize their designs. BLDC motors can be smaller, lighter, and quieter than traditional brushed DC motors while enhancing the reliability and energy efficiency of consumer, industrial, […]
How do SiC and GaN devices age?
By Peter Friedrichs, Infineon Technologies SiC and GaN devices operate at higher stress levels than silicon devices. The semiconductor and automotive industries have strict qualification tests for that. Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) wide bandgap (WBG) technologies are well known for their performance advantages over silicon (Si) in many high-power areas, including their […]
