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 […]
FAQ
Gate drivers — the critical link in power-device performance: part 1
Effective MOSFET/IGBT-device switching depends on the gate driver and its power supply. From power supplies and motor drives to charging stations and myriad other applications, switching power semiconductors such as silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), and gallium nitride (GaN) MOSFETs, as well as insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), are the key to efficient power-system designs. However, […]
Why is understanding safe operating area (SOA) necessary for power electronics engineers?
Power semiconductor devices and batteries operate within specific safe operating areas (SOAs) to ensure reliability and longevity. This FAQ explains the progression from basic operating areas to electrical and thermal SOAs, culminating in the combined SOA. We will examine how these concepts apply to both semiconductor devices and batteries, with a practical case study of […]
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 […]
What is flip-chip technology in IC packaging?
Flip-chip technology is an advanced semiconductor packaging and assembly method that involves directly mounting the semiconductor chip onto a substrate or PCB with the circuitry facing downward. This FAQ will convey the basic idea of flip-chip technology and how it differs from conventional wire bonding technology. A simple view of the flip-chip technology A simplistic […]
What are the foundations of Maxwell’s equations and how do they relate to TENGs?
Gauss’s law for electricity, Gauss’s law for magnetism, Faraday’s law of induction, and Ampère’s circuital law are the foundations of Maxwell’s equations. But Maxwell saw what wasn’t there. He added a term to one of the equations, providing a single mathematical model for electric, optical, and radio technologies and changing scientists’ understanding of the world. […]
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 […]
How do snubber circuits offer circuit protection in power electronics?
Snubber circuits are commonly connected across semiconductor switches for protection. Common ways of protection include suppressing V-I spikes and ringing, complying with SOA, resonance suppression, and reducing switching loss. This FAQ will provide insights into each of these ways they are addressed. Commonly employed snubber circuit configurations Snubber circuits come in various forms, the most […]
Wearable bioelectronic skin patches are a busy research area: part 2
Biomedical skin patches integrating multiple sensing, power, and reporting disciplines are receiving significant R&D effort. This part continues exposing the remaining 3 wearable biometric patches left out of part 1. Wearable patches are receiving considerable research attention for many obvious and not-so-obvious reasons. #4 Smart bandage promotes and monitors healing A smart bandage developed at […]
