Infineon and IR Target Automotive Systems with New Power Semis

Infineon Technologies AG and International Rectifier Corp. (IR) both launched power semiconductors qualified for use in automotive systems at this week's PCIM Europe. Infineon launched its new EconoDUAL™ 3 IGBT modules, which provide significantly increased thermal cycling and thermal shock capability, while a new soft diode improves the EMI behavior. Also during PCIM, IR introduced a family of automotive-qualified COOLiRFET™ MOSFETs delivering benchmark on-state resistance (Rds(on)) for heavy load applications including electric power steering (EPS), braking systems and other heavy loads on internal combustion engine and micro hybrid vehicle platforms.

“Extending the well-established EconoDUAL 3 family by fully automotive qualified products, Infineon takes full advantage of its decade-long experience both in developing and producing IGBT modules as well as handling and fulfilling specific automotive requirements,” says Zhang Xi, Manager Technical and Product Marketing at Infineon Technologies. “In addition, the further improved reliability specifications fulfill even highest demands of extremely demanding applications.”

The optimized design and assembly technology of the new automotive qualified EconoDUAL 3 modules enables a more than three times higher thermal cycling capability, while the thermal shock capability is increased by a factor of ten compared to the industry standard. With excellent mechanical robustness and power cycling capability, as well as the option of PressFit pins, Infineon offers a reliable, cost effective solution for various applications in vehicles.

The modules of the EconoDUAL 3 series offer the highest power density (up to 600A/1200V) available within this module footprint. The modules provide superior switching performance while copper wire bonding leads to a reduced internal lead resistance. With the use of copper bonding technology as well as an improved DCB the output power can be increased by up to 30% when compared to the related 450A version.

To facilitate logistics handling and traceability, all Infineon IGBT modules are considered as unique and fully-labeled on the modules. In case of the newly presented EconoDUAL 3 modules, integrated DMX code chips provide the possibility of an even enhanced traceability for automated identification of the assembled components.

Samples of the automotive qualified EconoDUAL 3 modules FF400R12ME4A_B11 (400A, 1200V) and FF600R12ME4A_B11 (600A, 1200V) will be available in Q4 2013, with volume production planned in the second half of 2014

The just-introduced family of 22 AEC-Q101 qualified 40V N-channel MOSFETs feature IR’s proven Gen12.7 trench technology that delivers ultra-low Rds(on) in D2Pak-7P, D2Pak, DPak, TO-262, IPAK and TO-220 packages. The benchmark D2Pak-7P AUIRFS8409-7P delivers Rds(on) max as low as 0.75mOhm at 10Vgs with a current rating up to 240A. The new devices offer low conduction losses and robust avalanche performance to deliver higher efficiency, power density and reliability. With this performance, many applications using these new COOLiRFET™ devices run significantly cooler than with state-of-the-art MOSFETs.

“IR's new family of COOLiRFET 40V automotive-qualified MOSFETs achieves benchmark Rds(on) in all package variations to deliver a highly efficient solution for high current automotive applications requiring high performance while reducing overall system cost,” said Jifeng Qin, Product Manager, Automotive MOSFETs, IR’s Automotive Products Business Unit.

IR’s automotive MOSFETs are subject to dynamic and static part average testing combined with 100 percent automated wafer level visual inspection as part of IR’s automotive quality initiative targeting zero defects. The new devices are AEC-Q101 qualified, which requires that there is no more than a 20 percent change in Rds(on) after 1,000 temperature cycles of testing, and feature an environmentally friendly, lead-free and RoHS compliant bill of materials.

Pricing ranges begins from US $0.39 each for the AUIRFU8401 to US $1.70 each for the AUIRFS8409-7P in 100,000-unit quantities. Production orders are available immediately.