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total system approach. Figure 2 shows a SiC-based system design with an integrated digital programmable gate driver that accelerates time to production while creating new ways to optimize designs.
New options for design
optimization
Digital programmable gate drive
options maximize SiC benefits through
augmented switching. They allow easy
configuration of SiC MOSFET turn-on/
turn-off times and voltage levels so that designers can speed switching and increase system efficiencies while lowering the time and complexity associated with gate driver development. Rather than manually alter the PCB, developers can use con- figuration software to optimize their SiC-based designs with a keystroke, future-proofing them while accelerating time to market and boosting efficiency and fault protection.
FIGURE 2: MODULE ADAPTER BOARDS COMBINED WITH GATE DRIVER CORES PROVIDE A PLATFORM TO RAPIDLY EVALUATE AND OPTIMIZE NEW SiC POWER DEVICES THROUGH AUGMENTED SWITCHING.
Design Challenge
Reason for Challenge
How Augmented Switching Helped
False alarms: short- circuit, undervoltage
Noise
Robust detection and protection security
Short-circuit response too slow
Short-circuit response
Fast, accurate digital solution
Unmanageable voltage overshoot
Overvoltage
Precise software-configurable “tuning”
Insufficient module performance data
Limited existing driver fault feedback
Provided seven specific fault codes, including temperature and voltage monitoring
FIGURE3:USINGDIGITALPROGRAMMABLEGATEDRIVERSTOIMPLEMENTTHELATESTAUGMENTED SWITCHING TECHNIQUES HELPS SOLVE SiC NOISE PROBLEMS, SPEEDS SHORT-CIRCUIT RESPONSE, HELPS MANAGE VOLTAGE OVERSHOOT PROBLEMS, AND MINIMIZES OVERHEATING.
Early SiC adopters are already realizing benefits in the auto- motive, industrial, and aerospace and defense sectors as adoption grows in broader applications. Success will con- tinue to rely on the ability to validate SiC device reliability and ruggedness. As developers adopt a total solution strategy, they will need access to comprehensive portfolios supported by a complete and reliable global supply chain and all neces- sary design simulation and development tools. They will also have new opportunities to future-proof investments through new capabilities of software-configurable design optimiza- tion enabled by digital programmable gate driving.
This article was originally published on EE Times on June 11, 2020.
Orlando Esparza
is a strategic marketing manager at Microchip Technology.
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ASPENCORE GUIDE TO SILICON CARBIDE