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At the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), CISSOID released its new series of SiC Inverter Control Modules (ICMs) dedicated to the E-mobility market. These software-powered SiC Inverter Control Modules are designed to help engineers create functionally safe, robust and modular E-motor drives while dramatically shortening time-to-market.
The new CXT-ICM3SA series offers optimal hardware and software integration of CISSOID’s existing line of 3-phase 1200V/340A-550A SiC MOSFET Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs) with an OLEA® T222 Field Programmable Control Unit (FPCU) control board and OLEA® APP INVERTER application software, supplied in partnership with Silicon Mobility. Depending on the selected ICM product, this modular core engine is capable of powering and controlling high voltage SiC traction inverters with battery voltages up to 850V, at output power exceeding 350kW, and with peak efficiency above 99%.
This unique integration facilitates the rapid development of SiC inverters by solving head-scratching EMC issues often generated due to fast-switching SiC transistors, by supporting different modulation schemes, e.g. SVPWM or DPWM, combined with dead time compensation, and by offering advanced motor control algorithms, including Field Oriented Control (FOC) and Flux Weakening management.
CISSOID further improves time-to-market by providing a complete SiC inverter reference design allowing motor bench testing of the ICM together with key peripheral elements such as current sensors, a high-performance DC-Link capacitor and EMI filter. Both the ICM and the reference design can be obtained from CISSOID, together with the motor control software and on-site technical support.Delivering leadership performance, the ICM supports the drive of high-speed motors, with no compromise on efficiency, thanks to the combination of CISSOID’s low losses SiC power module with the ultra-fast real-time FPCU, enabling high switching frequencies up to 50kHz. Furthermore, this application-specific processor dedicated to e-motor control, with onboard programmable hardware, accelerates the response time to critical events, off-loading the processor cores and enhancing functional safety. Both the FPCU and the control software are ISO-26262 ASIL C/D certified and AUTOSAR 4.3 compliant.
Original – CISSOID
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Navitas Semiconductor announced that its GaNFast™ power ICs drive Samsung’s 25 W “Super-Fast Charging” (SFC) for the new, AI-enhanced Galaxy S24 smartphone.
Flagship hardware specifications include a 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) dynamic AMOLED 2X, and 120 Hz screen, plus the Galaxy S24 delivers innovative and practical AI features to help transform the way users communicate, create and discover the world. Galaxy AI features like Live Translate, Chat Assist and new “Circle to Search” with Google, to improve nearly every experience that S24 users can enjoy.
The 25 W GaNFast unit delivers 50% charge to the high-capacity 4000 mAh battery in only 30 minutes, while the USB PD 3.0 (Type-C) specification makes it compatible with other Samsung products including Galaxy Buds2 audio, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Flip and Galaxy A23.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the 25 W power adapter features a 75% reduction in power consumption sleep mode. Navitas’ GaNFast technology is deployed in a high-frequency, quasi-resonant (HFQR) topology running at 150 kHz – 3x faster than standard silicon designs – and delivers a 30% size shrink vs. conventional charger designs.
“We are excited to extend our relationship with Samsung as they continue to develop groundbreaking mobile phone technology,” said David Carroll, Sr. VP Worldwide Sales for Navitas. “Deploying GaNFast ICs has allowed Samsung to create an ultra-compact, lightweight and efficient 25W adapter that can rapidly re-charge the new Galaxy S24 and a variety of other phones and accessories in the Samsung range.”
Original – Navitas Semiconductor
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Innoscience Technology will demonstrate industry-leadership at the upcoming IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC) 2024.
At the industrial session, Innoscience will address the exponential demand in power by datacenters due to the processing power necessitated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. The paper will show that with Innoscience’s 650V InnoGaN, it is possible to make a 2kW AC/DC conversion PSU with a high power density and a peak efficiency above 96%, thereby meeting the recent stringent 80 Plus titanium efficiency rating.
Thanks to the absence of a body diode on GaN devices, a simple Totem pole PFC architecture can be implemented while still reaching high levels of efficiency. At the booth Innoscience will also showcase a 4.2kW AC/DC conversion PSU meeting 80 Plus titanium efficiency rating within a power density of 130W/in3.
Moreover, to address the 48V to 12V DC-DC power conversion inside the data center, Innoscience will present an all GaN HEMTs based 1kW 48V-12V unregulated LLC solution that features GaN power devices both at the primary side (100V devices) as well as at the secondary side (40V devices). In order to maximize the power density and simplify the circuit, the solution uses Innoscience’s recent integrated SolidGaN solution (ISG3201), which integrates an half-bridge (made by two 100V/3.2mOhm InnoGaN devices) with its driver, protection etc.. in one package. The final all GaN 1kW 48V-12 converter has a size of only 50mmx30mmx9mm, which is 70% smaller than a Silicon counterpart rated only 600W. The converter achieves a peak efficiency of 98.5%.
Dr. Denis Marcon, General Manager Innoscience Europe, comments: “Reliability is also an important consideration for data centers, because they operate 24/7 and they must guarantee continuity of service. Therefore, in this paper we will also present strong reliability data of Innoscience’s HV and LV GaN power devices, including end-of-life testing for life-time calculation which shows reliability data at the parts-per-billion level.”
Yi Sun, General Manager Innoscience America comments: “Innoscience today has one of the widest portfolio of GaN power device solutions covering 30V to 700V applications, a family of GaN discrete available in standard packages (e.g. QFN, FCQFN, TO252 etc..) as well as integrated GaN IC solutions that include in one chip the GaN FET, the driver, protections etc.”
Visitors to the Innoscience booth at APEC will also see new products, such as the NV100FQ030A, a 100V bidirectional IC that can be employed to deliver high efficiency in applications including battery management systems, high-side load switching in bidirectional converters, and various switching circuits in power systems.
Yi Sun, adds: “Innoscience is leading the GaN industry with many new products that are industry firsts. That is why our devices are finding applications in all markets, from consumer chargers through industrial and communications and into the automotive sector. Join us at booth 1543 to find out more.”
Innoscience presentations:
- IS02.7 – Industry Session / Tuesday Feb 27th ,11:30-11:55am “Ultra-High Frequency (10MHz) Buck Converter with GaN HEMT for Mobile Phone Application” given by Dr Pengju Kong
- IS11.1 – Industry Session / Wednesday Feb 28th, 8:30-8:55am “Efficient and compact power conversions made possible with GaN technology” given by Dr Pengju Kong.
Original – Innoscience Technology
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The electrification of everything is driving the widespread adoption of Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology in medium-to-high-voltage applications like transportation, electric grids and heavy-duty vehicles. To help developers implement SiC solutions and fast-track the development process, Microchip Technology introduced the 3.3 kV XIFM plug-and-play mSiC™ gate driver with patented Augmented Switching™ technology, which is designed to work out-of-the-box with preconfigured module settings to significantly reduce design and evaluation time.
To speed time to market, the complex development work of designing, testing and qualifying a gate driver circuit design is already completed with this plug-and-play solution. The XIFM digital gate driver is a compact solution that features digital control, an integrated power supply and a robust fiber-optic interface that improves noise immunity. This gate driver has preconfigured “turn-on/off” gate drive profiles that are tailored to optimize module performance.
It incorporates 10.2 kV primary-to-secondary reinforced isolation with built-in monitoring and protection functions including temperature and DC link monitoring, Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO), Overvoltage Lockout (OVLO), short-circuit/overcurrent protection (DESAT) and Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC). This gate driver also complies with EN 50155, a key specification for railway applications.
“As the silicon carbide market continues to grow and push the boundaries of higher voltage, Microchip makes it easier for power system developers to adopt wide-bandgap technology with turnkey solutions like our 3.3 kV plug-and-play mSiC gate driver,” said Clayton Pillion, vice president of Microchip’s silicon carbide business unit. “By having the gate drive circuitry preconfigured, this solution can reduce design cycle time by up to 50% compared to a traditional analog solution.”
With over 20 years of experience in the development, design, manufacturing and support of SiC devices and power solutions, Microchip helps customers adopt SiC with ease, speed and confidence. Microchip’s mSiC™ products include SiC MOSFETS, diodes and gate drivers with standard, modified and custom options.
Original – Microchip Technology
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Texas Instruments introduced two new power conversion device portfolios to help engineers achieve more power in smaller spaces, providing the highest power density at a lower cost. TI’s new 100V integrated gallium nitride (GaN) power stages feature thermally enhanced dual-side cooled package technology to simplify thermal designs and achieve the highest power density in mid-voltage applications at more than 1.5kW/in3.
TI’s new 1.5W isolated DC/DC modules with integrated transformers are the industry’s smallest and most power-dense, helping engineers shrink the isolated bias power-supply size in automotive and industrial systems by over 89%. Devices from both portfolios will be on display at this year’s Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), Feb. 25-29 in Long Beach, California.
“For power-supply designers, delivering more power in limited spaces will always be a critical design challenge,” said Kannan Soundarapandian, general manager of High Voltage Power at TI. “Take data centers, for example – if engineers can design power-dense server power-supply solutions, data centers can operate more efficiently to meet growing processing needs while also minimizing their environmental footprint. We’re excited to continue to push the limits of power management by offering innovations that help engineers deliver the highest power density, efficiency and thermal performance.”
Increase power density and efficiency with 100V integrated GaN power stages
With TI’s new 100V GaN power stages, LMG2100R044 and LMG3100R017, designers can reduce power-supply solution size for mid-voltage applications by more than 40% and achieve industry-leading power density of over 1.5kW/in3, enabled by GaN technology’s higher switching frequencies. The new portfolio also reduces switching power losses by 50% compared to silicon-based solutions, while achieving 98% or higher system efficiency given the lower output capacitance and lower gate-drive losses. In a solar inverter system, for example, higher density and efficiency enables the same panel to store and produce more power while decreasing the size of the overall microinverter system.A key enabler of the thermal performance in the 100V GaN portfolio is TI’s thermally enhanced dual-side cooled package. This technology enables more efficient heat removal from both sides of the device and offers improved thermal resistance compared to competing integrated GaN devices.
To learn more about the benefits of TI’s 100V GaN power stages for mid-voltage applications, read the technical article, “4 mid-voltage applications where GaN will transform electronic designs.”
Shrink bias power supplies by more than 89%
With over eight times higher power density than discrete solutions and three times higher power density than competing modules, TI’s new 1.5W isolated DC/DC modules deliver the highest output power and isolation capability (3kV) for automotive and industrial systems in a 4mm-by-5mm very thin small outline no-lead (VSON) package. With TI’s UCC33420-Q1 and UCC33420, designers can also easily meet stringent electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements, such as Comité International Spécial des Perturbations Radioélectriques (CISPR) 32 and 25, with fewer components and a simple filter design.The new modules use TI’s next-generation integrated transformer technology, which eliminates the need for an external transformer in a bias supply design. The technology allows engineers to shrink solution size by more than 89% and reduce height by up to 75%, while cutting bill of materials by half compared to discrete solutions.
With the first automotive-qualified solution in this small package, designers can now reduce the footprint, weight and height of their bias supply solution for electric vehicle systems such as battery management systems. For space-constrained industrial power delivery in data centers, the new module enables designers to minimize printed circuit board area.
To learn more about the benefits of TI’s 1.5W isolated DC/DC modules, read the technical article, “How a new isolated DC/DC module can help solve power-density challenges.”
Pushing the limits of power at APEC 2024
These new devices are the latest ways TI is pushing power further and making innovation possible for engineers everywhere. At APEC 2024, TI will showcase the latest automotive and industrial designs for 48V automotive power; the first USB Power Delivery Extended Power Range full charging solution on the market; an 800V, 300kW silicon carbide-based traction inverter; high-efficiency power for server motherboards; and more.- Saturday, Feb. 24-Thursday, Feb. 29: Visit TI in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Booth No. 1145. See TI.com/APEC for more information.
- Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 12 p.m. Pacific time: TI General Manager of Industrial Power Design Services Robert Taylor will present an industry session, “To Power Density and Beyond: Breaking Through Barriers to Achieve the Highest Power Density.” He will discuss innovations in packaging, integration and system-level techniques that are making greater power density possible.
- Throughout APEC: TI power experts will lead 20 industry and technical sessions to address power-management design challenges. The full schedule of TI experts’ industry and technical sessions is available at TI.com/APEC.
Original – Texas Instruments
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SemiQ Inc. unveiled the latest addition to the company’s QSiC™ family. The QSiC 1200V SiC MOSFET modules in full-bridge configurations deliver near zero switching loss, significantly improving efficiency, reducing heat dissipation, and allowing the use of smaller heatsinks.
With a high breakdown voltage exceeding 1400V, the QSiC modules in full-bridge configurations withstand high-temperature operation at Tj = 175°C with minimal Rds(On) shift across the entire temperature spectrum. Crafted from high-performance ceramics, SemiQ’s modules achieve exceptional performance levels, increased power density, and more compact designs—especially in high-frequency and high-power environments.
Consequently, they are well-suited for demanding applications that require bidirectional power flow or a broader range of control, such as solar inverters, drives and chargers for Electric Vehicles (EVs) DC-DC converters and power supplies.
In solar inverter applications, SemiQ’s technology empowers designers to achieve greater efficiency – reaching as high as 98% – as well as more compact designs. It helps reduce heat loss, improve thermal stability, and enhance reliability, backed by over 54 million hours of HTRB/H3TRB testing. The 1200V MOSFETs also maximize efficiency gains in DC-DC converters while enhancing reliability and minimizing power dissipation.
To guarantee a stable gate threshold voltage and premium gate oxide quality for each module, SemiQ conducts gate burn-in testing at the wafer level. In addition to the burn-in test, which contributes to mitigating extrinsic failure rates, various stress tests—including gate stress, high-temperature reverse bias (HTRB) drain stress, and high humidity, high voltage, high temperature (H3TRB)—are employed to attain the necessary automotive and industrial grade quality standards. The devices also offer extended short-circuit ratings, and all parts have undergone testing surpassing 1400V.
“At SemiQ, our commitment lies in the meticulous optimization and customization of each module, ensuring they not only meet but exceed the unique demands of high-efficiency, high-power applications,” said Dr. Timothy Han, President at SemiQ. “We believe in empowering innovation through tailored solutions, and our SiC modules exemplify the pinnacle of performance, precision, and reliability in every customized design.”
SemiQ is set to debut its QSiC product family in SOT-227, half-bridge, and full-bridge packages at the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) in Long Beach, CA, from February 25 to 29, 2024. Attendees at SemiQ’s booth #2245 will be the first to explore the newest additions to the QSiC lineup. Schedule a meeting with the SemiQ team using online calendar or email at media@semiq.com.
SemiQ’s new 1200V modules in full-bridge packages are available in 20mΩ, 40mΩ, 80mΩ SiC MOSFETs categories:
Part Numbers Circuit Configuration Ratings, Packages RdsOn mΩ GCMX020A120B2H1P Full-bridge 1200V/102A, B2 20 GCMX040A120B2H1P Full-bridge 1200V/56A, B2 40 GCMX080A120B2H1P Full-bridge 1200V/27A, B2 80 GCMX020A120B3H1P Full-bridge 1200V/93A, B3 20 GCMX040A120B3H1P Full-bridge 1200V/53A, B3 40 Original – SemiQ
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Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), the fabless, clean-tech semiconductor company that develops energy-efficient GaN-based power devices that make greener electronics possible, will be present at the upcoming APEC 2024, IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. In addition to having its largest ever booth at the show, the company will contribute with a number of papers including an analysis of how GaN can play a part in supporting the exponential growth in power demanded by datacentres as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) proliferates.
GIORGIA LONGOBARDI | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CGD:
“With datacentres now demanding 100kW per rack and predicting even more in the very near future, power system designers are looking to employ GaN devices in new architectures. At CGD we are addressing this challenge with new devices and reference designs which we will be discussing at APEC, along with many other applications where GaN can play a huge role in enabling sustainable electronics solutions that are more efficient, have high performance and are more compact.”
CGD will present three papers at APEC:
- Tuesday 27th February, 15.00-15.30 – ‘How ICeGaN™ technology can address the datacentre challenges that digitalisation brings’, with Andrea Bricconi, Chief Commercial Officer, CGD and Peter Di Maso, VP of Business Development (Americas) CGD.
- Wednesday 28th February, 09.10-09.30 – ‘Evaluation of GaN HEMT dv/dt Immunity and dv/dt induced false turn-on energy loss’, with Nirmana Perera, Application Engineer, CGD.
- Thursday 29th February, 09:45 – 10:10: ‘Monolithic integration addresses the design challenges of GaN Power devices’, with Di Chen, Director of Business Development & Technical Marketing, CGD.
On booth 1553, CGD will present a range of demos designed to showcase industry’s first easy-to-use and scalable 650 V GaN HEMT family. ICeGaN™ H2 single-chip eMode HEMTs can be driven like a MOSFET, without the need for special gate drivers, complex and lossy driving circuits, negative voltage supply requirements or additional clamping components.
Addressing the increase in power required by server and industrial applications, CGD will show a 350 W PFC/LLC reference design using ICeGaN (650 V, 55 mΩ, H2 series). With a board power density of 23 W/in3, the bridgeless CrM Totem Pole PFC plus half-bridge LLC design has a peak efficiency of 95%, (93% average) and a no-load power consumption of 150 mW.
ANDREA BRICCONI | CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, CGD:
“GaN is now accepted as a reliable and proven technology that is able to deliver high efficiency and power density simultaneously. Datacentres, with their insatiable need for power, are an obvious application for GaN, but there are many other consumer, industrial and automotive applications where GaN can also demonstrate the ability to be a disruptive technology. CGD has delivered industry’s most easy-to-use GaN technology – ICeGaN – and we are keen to share our ideas with the audience at APEC.”
Original – Cambridge GaN Devices
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Micro Commercial Components unveiled 1700V SiC MOSFET – SICW400N170A-BP. Designed to elevate power conversion in a range of applications, this MOSFET features ultra-low on-resistance of only 400mΩ and high blocking voltage capability. SICW400N170A-BP SiC MOSFET enables high-speed switching while ensuring minimal conduction losses — essential requirements for optimizing frequency-dependent systems.
A standard, yet durable TO-247AB package delivers effective operation at a gate-source voltage of 20V with superior thermal stability and an operating junction temperature of +175°C.
This unwavering reliability in harsh conditions only adds to the component’s appeal and versatility for various high-voltage applications, including EV charging stations and renewable energy systems.
Features & Benefits:
- High blocking voltage capability (1700V)
- Ultra-low on-resistance (400mΩ) enhances efficiency
- Low capacitance enables faster switching
- Excellent thermal stability
- High operating junction temperature (to +175°C)
- Standard TO-247AB package
Original – Micro Commercial Components
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Micro Commercial Components introduced its latest high-performance component — 1200V SiC N-channel MOSFET. With an impressively low on-resistance of just 28mΩ at a gate-source voltage of 18V, SICW028N120A4-BP is engineered to deliver in demanding high-power applications.
Housed in a TO-247-4 package, this MOSFET works well with the popular D2PAK 4-pin footprint and includes a Kelvin source pin for significant reduction in switching losses and a boost in energy efficiency.
A high operating junction temperature of up to +175°C and excellent thermal stability ensure this new SiC MOSFET will revolutionize power management in a diverse range of industrial and commercial devices that must perform in harsh conditions.
Features & Benefits:
- 1200V blocking voltage capability
- 28mΩ low on-resistance
- Kelvin source pin for enhanced switching
- Avalanche ruggedness for durability
- Excellent thermal stability
- High operating junction temperature range (+175°C)
- D2PAK-compatible 4-pin TO-247-4 package
Original – Micro Commercial Components
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Innoscience Technology has launched a new 100V bi-directional member of the company’s VGaN IC family. The first family of VGaN devices rated 40V with wide on-resistance range (1.2mOhm – 12mOhm) have been successfully deployed in the USB OVP of mobile phones such as OPPO, OnePlus etc.
The new 100V VGaN (INV100FQ030A) can be employed to achieve high efficiency in 48V or 60V battery management systems (BMS), as well as for high-side load switch applications in bidirectional converters, switching circuits in power systems, and other fields. Such device it is ideal in application such as home batteries, portable charging station, e-scooters, e-bikes etc.
One VGaN replaces two back-to-back Si MOSFETs; they are connected with a common drain to achieve bidirectional switching of battery charging and discharging, further reducing on-resistance and loss significantly with respect to traditional Silicon solution. BOM count, PCB space and costs are also reduced accordingly.
The INV100FQ030A 100V VGaN IC supports two-way pass-through, two-way cut-off and no-reverse-recovery modes of operation. Devices feature an extremely low gate charge of just 90nC, ultra-low dynamic on-resistance of 3.2mΩ and small, 4x6mm package size.
Dr. Denis Marcon, General Manager, Innoscience Europe comments: “Innoscience’s continuous innovation and development of our core technology plus our 8-inch wafer GaN IDM model will accelerate the miniaturization of systems, making them more efficient and energy-saving.”
Innoscience ‘s 100V GaN series products are in mass production in En-FCQFN (exposed top side cooling) and FCQFN packaging.
Original – Innoscience Technology
