SiC FETs for Automotive

SiC FETs in EV Applications

Practical electric vehicles have gone from niche to mainstream and have spawned a whole new application area for power conversion. In the vehicle, every watt lost in power conversion translates to shorter range, and in chargers translates to higher running costs and longer payback. Efficiency is key with an emphasis on the need for high voltage semiconductor switches with lowest loss.

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On-board Charging and DC/DC Converters
EV Traction Inverters
EV Battery Chargers
Design Resources

On-board Charging and DC/DC Converters

Performance improvements of SiC FETs and the availability of a wide range of Rds(on) classes in both through-hole and surface mount packages allows designers to keep improving on-board charger designs in efficiency, size, and thermal performance while keeping costs low. Furthermore, using a simpler 0 to 10/12/15 V gate drive helps manage cost and complexity.

KEY FEATURES

Low R_DS(on) x E_oss
Low R_DS(on) x C_oss
Simple gate drive (0-12V)
Low V_f diode

BLOGS

Finding your high voltage power design sweet spot
The true realization of SiC’s automotive credentials
Back to the future – forward from the past?
SiC applications in electric vehicle (EV) power conversion
Enabling an efficient and dynamic electric vehicle charging network
Can cascodes provide the stepping stone into SiC needed for EV success?

APPNOTES/WHITE PAPERS

Improvements in on-board charging using latest SiC technology
Origins of SiC FETs and their evolution towards the perfect switch
New semiconductor technologies are driving higher efficiency in power conversion

VIDEOS

CHARGE AHEAD: 1200V Gen 4 SiC FETs

BEST 750V OPTIONS

On-board Charging

DC/DC Converter

BEST 1200V OPTIONS
(for 800V Bus)

EV Traction Inverters

Inverters needed for EV traction typically range between 60kW and 200kW. The use of SiC FETs in these designs can result in a 3X reduction in losses at 200kW and a 6X reduction in losses at 50kW. This ensures a stable thermal design for rapid periods of acceleration despite the much smaller size of SiC FETs. In addition, designers can realize excellent range enhancements from the light-load loss reduction.

KEY FEATURES

Low R_DS(on) die
Low R_DS(on) x E_oss
Low R_DS(on) x C_oss
Simple gate drive (0-12V)
Low V_f diode

BLOGS

Regenerative power efficiency is becoming a real differentiator
The road to the EV evolution is paved with SiC
How to build better EV traction inverters with SiC
Ultra-high voltage SiC and Supercascodes
Can cascodes provide the stepping stone into SiC needed for EV success?

VIDEOS

Short-circuit performance of industry's lowest R_DS(on) SiC FETs
Ultra-low R_DS(on) 750V switches enable new frontiers in inverter and circuit protection power electronics

BEST 750V OPTIONS
(400V-500V Battery)

EV Battery Chargers

SiC is enabling a revolution in EV transportation. In addition to their high critical breakdown voltage, high-temperature operation, and high thermal conductivity, SiC FETs boast high immunity to avalanche effects with over-voltages, high immunity to short circuits, and lower switching losses than other WBG devices due to lower device capacitance, making them ideal devices for EV charging applications.