SiC MOSFET and GaN FET Switching Power Converter Analysis Kit

Ultra-fast power semiconductor switching technology such as SiC or GaN that make up some of today's power electronics topologies, are extremely difficult to optimize. The SiC MOSFET and GaN FET Switching Power Converter Analysis Kit (PowerSol1) from Tektronix can accurately characterize all the critical parameters for optimizing power electronics topologies that use wide bandgap power devices.

The PowerSol1 system will be demonstrated at the upcoming IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and can be used to characterize: Gate charge and gate-drive performance on high-side low-side; Dead-time optimization including accurate turn-on, turn-off and gate-drive timing; VGS, VDS and ID measurements on high-side and low-side switches; Switching loss, conduction loss and magnetic loss analysis; and Optimize dead-time and eliminate false ringing.

High-frequency, floating gate (VGS), drain (VDS) or current (ID) signals are practically impossible to make with traditional differential probes or floating scopes due to parasitic capacitance and inductance in the measurement loop.

The SiC MOSFET and GaN FET Switching Power Converter Analysis Kit includes IsoVu™ optically isolated differential probes that use numerous patented technologies to eliminate common mode effects of differential signals. Even at ultra-high switching frequencies, the IsoVu's laser-based data transfer system eliminates any electrical connection, giving you unmatched common mode rejection.

• Optimize dead-time with simultaneous high-side and low-side VGS and VDS measurements
• Accurately characterize gate charge under real load conditions and optimize gate-drive performance
• Differential voltage range from 1 mV to 2500V
• Bandwidth up to 1 GHz for ultra-fast switching
• Common mode voltage as high as 60kV
• Low input capacitance tops (<1pF)
• Test drain (ID) current accurately across floating current shunts with high common mode rejection

Automate loss measurements under real operating conditions

Power quality, efficiency and loss measurements to optimize and validate a SiC or GaN power design can be done manually. However, many engineers use automation tools on a scope to achieve faster, more repeatable results. This solution includes the 5-PWR Advanced Power Measurement and Analysis software package that automates power quality, efficiency and loss measurements for switching devices, in-circuit inductor and transformer, dc output, and ac line measurements.

By measuring and optimizing each sub-system under real-world conditions, you can get the highest possible efficiency from your power designs.

Key measurements include:

• Switching device measurements, such as switching loss analysis and safe operating area on GaN, SiC, or silicon FETS
• In-circuit inductor and transformer measurements, including inductance BH curves and magnetic loss analysis
• DC output measurements such as efficiency, ripple, and turn-on/turn-off
• AC line measurements: ac power analysis including harmonics

What's in the PowerSol1 system?

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1. 5 Series MSO Oscilloscope - High resolution (12 bit) for testing Vgs, RDS_ON and conduction losses under real conditions.
2. 5-PWR software - Automated, accurate and repeatable power measurements for calculating switching losses, conduction losses, RDS_ON, magnetic losses, SOA and much more under real operating conditions.
3. GaN Half-bridge Demo Board Guide - Instructions Guide for getting started.
4. TIVH08 IsoVu isolated differential voltage probe - 2.5kV differential voltage rating for testing VDS signals on high voltage SiC and GaN power converters. Also has 800MHz bandwidth for extremely fast dv/dt common to SiC and GaN power devices.
5. TIVH05 IsoVu isolated differential voltage probe (Optional) - 2.5kV differential voltage rating for testing VDS signals on high voltage SiC and GaN power converters. Also has 500MHz bandwidth for extremely fast dv/dt common to SiC and GaN power devices.
6. TIVM1 IsoVu isolated differential probe (Optional) - 1GHz bandwidth for extremely fast dv/dt on low voltage (<50V) signals such as VGS and shunt voltage.
7. TPP1000 high bandwidth passive probe (Standard Accessory) - comes as standard equipment with your oscilloscope; one probe per channel. 1GHz bandwidth for testing ground referenced high dv/dt signals such as VGS_LOW and shunt voltage.
8. MMCX shielded tip for high bandwidth passive probe (Optional) - makes the high frequency ground referenced measurements more accurate by eliminating ground loops.