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 […]
Featured Contributions
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 […]
How to choose a voltage transducer
by NK Technologies Choosing the right voltage transducer (also called a voltage sensor) for your application can be daunting since it comes in many configurations. This guide will help you make the right choice. Each application will have unique requirements. To choose the correct voltage transducer, gather the following key criteria, shown in the table […]
Protecting power supplies: the proper way to parallel for today’s high-power demands
By EA Elektro-Automatik At its core, a power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power, a combination of voltage and current, to an electrical load, such as a computer, appliance, consumer electronics, or a battery charger, to name a few. Since the primary use of a power supply is to convert electric power […]
Increasing voltage demands unleash opportunities for SiC devices
By Didier Balocco, onsemi The trend towards higher voltages opens new opportunities for design with Silicon Carbide. With its higher electron mobility, lower losses, and ability to work at higher temperatures, the case for silicon carbide (SiC) devices in challenging power applications is widely accepted. While the benefits of silicon are significant in key applications, […]
High-density power-conversion technology enablers using GaN
By Brent McDonald, Texas Instruments Modern electronic systems need small, lightweight, high-efficiency power supplies. These supplies require cost-effective methods to take power from the AC power distribution grid and convert it to a form that can run the necessary electronics. High switching frequencies are among the most significant enablers for small size. To that end, […]
How to quantify pulse current capability of SiC FETs
Silicon Carbide FETs go beyond silicon to extend reach to high pulse currents in power conversion applications. Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices, such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) field-effect transistors (FETs), are renowned for their minimal static and dynamic losses. Beyond these attributes, this technology can endure high pulse currents, proving particularly advantageous in applications like […]
Delivering power supply reliability in mission-critical systems
There are several factors to consider when selecting a power supply that delivers the high voltages often needed by large and complex high-performance systems. For almost all electronic products and systems, high reliability should be expected. Still, in some markets, reliability cannot be compromised or a trade-off for other performance factors. In particular, mission-critical industrial […]
