A varactor diode or varicap diode is a semiconductor diode that changes its junction capacitance significantly depending on the applied reverse bias voltage. Many semiconductor PN junction diodes are designed to exhibit specific electrical properties; the varactor diode or varicap diode is one such semiconductor specifically designed to exhibit unique junction capacitance characteristics. These types […]
FAQ
How SiC MOSFETs and Si IGBTs boost sustainability in green energy systems
Silicon carbide (SIC) MOSFETs and silicon (Si) IGBTs can both boost sustainability in green energy systems. Of course, they don’t compete across the board, there are uses where one or the other is clearly preferred. When comparing the two technologies, it often comes down to the prioritization of performance characteristics like light weight versus low […]
How much can GaN improve sustainability and reduce CO2 emissions?
Gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors are about less — less CO2 emission from device fabrication, less materials in the devices and power converters using GaN, less cost due to higher frequency operation and smaller passive components, and less thermal dissipation due to higher efficiencies. Those performance factors combine to improve the sustainability of power converters […]
How can digital twins improve power and motion system performance and sustainability?
A digital twin (DT) is a virtual representation of a physical system that spans its lifecycle, is updated using real-time data, and combines simulation, virtual testing, and machine learning to enable cross-functional teams to work collaboratively. Because it’s updated with real-time data, a DT creates a fusion between a modeling environment and real objects that’s […]
How multilevel converters and SiC can improve sustainability
Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) are an advanced form of a voltage source converter. They are emerging as the preferred choice in medium- and high-voltage green energy applications like high-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission systems, medium voltage motor drives including electric vehicles (EVs), wind and solar renewable energy systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and EV chargers […]
Power windows: now much more than just a motor and switch, Part 1
The automotive power window has evolved from a basic on/off switch and motor to a sophisticated motion-control subsystem with dedicated ICs. In just a few decades, we’ve come a very long way from those bygone days of manually operated car windows, outside mirrors, and door locks. Now they are all electrically powered, with no manual […]
Extended Power Range GaN-based USB-C adapters and chargers deliver increased performance
By Peter Bredemeier, Principal Engineer for Power Systems and Solutions Division, Infineon Technologies An innovative, highly integrated combo controller for the joint control of the PFC and the hybrid flyback stage. The Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery Specification (Revision 3.1, Version 1.1) (USB-PD) standard enables higher power levels of up to 240 W. The wide […]
Generating really high voltages without a Tesla coil
There are many ways to create high-voltages and pulses; the Marx generator is a simple one in concept and practice. Low-voltage designs with rails in the single digits get a lot of attention these days for reasons I don’t need to detail to this audience. Still, there are many situations where rails at hundreds of […]
What to look for in surge protection for power supplies
By Ron Stull, CUI, Inc. Any mains-powered electrical device is vulnerable to voltage surge. These completely unpredictable events can take many forms: from modest power spikes during normal operation to massive power surges caused by an external lightning strike. To prevent damage and downtime, electrical equipment and circuits need to be provided with adequate surge […]
Circuit boards don’t behave the way you think they do
Circuit designers increasingly must concentrate on the design of transmission lines, or the “spaces” between traces, instead of the “wires” on a circuit board. By Daniel Beeker, Technical Director, Automotive Field Applications Engineering, Senior Member, IEEE, NXP Semiconductors When it comes to the design of printed circuit boards, the industry focus has been on the […]
