Silicon Carbide was used in a growing variety of end-use applications last year from a 70W notebook adapter power supply to 500kVa uninterruptible power supplies to 1500Vdc-input railcar traction inverters. And to support that expanding applications base, a wide variety of SiC devices and modules were introduced in the past 12 months including an ac-dc controller IC optimized for SiC devices, trench-type SiC MOSFETS, and high-voltage SiC devices and modules. The following are the ten most-read SiC stories on PowerPulse in 2015.
#1: Zolt set to Jolt Adapter makers with SiC-based 70W Design
Zolt, Inc. is offering a 70W adapter capable of charging up to 3 devices at once including one laptop plus two other USB devices simultaneously. Zolt uses patented efficient resonant control (ERC) technology that automatically regulates power to each connected device, to ensure fastest charging and longest battery life. The new Zolt device is scheduled to ship this Spring and is expected to be based on SiC power semiconductor technology. The charger will be 3" long, 1.3" in diameter and weigh 3 ounces, four-times smaller and three-times lighter than competitive designs. more
#2: SiC-based Three-Phase UPS is 98% Efficient
Toshiba International Corporation (TIC) today announced its new G2020 Series uninterruptible power system (UPS). The G2020 Series is the latest three-phase UPS designed by Toshiba utilizing SiC power modules enabling the UPS to be 98% efficient with 50% load while operating in double-conversion mode. The G2020 Series UPS utilizes SiC power modules in a three-level design to provide customers with the ultimate in high efficiency power protection. Combining the latest in semiconductor technology with innovative circuit topology and high-performance full digital control ensures the highest level of reliable power quality to meet the demanding needs of the data center industry. more
#3: Trench-Type SiC MOSFET has 50% Lower On-Resistance
ROHM Co., Ltd. announced the development and mass production of an SiC MOSFET that adopts the world's first trench structure. Compared to existing planar-type SiC MOSFETs, ON resistance is reduced by 50% in the same chip size, making it possible to significantly decrease power loss in a variety of equipment, from industrial inverters and power supplies to power conditioners for solar power systems. more
#4: 100A / 1200V Silicon-Carbide Hybrid Module
Fuji Electric Corp. of America has announced the introduction of a new silicon-carbide hybrid module for the North American market, which allows for smaller, lighter system packages due to its higher switching speed and increased efficiency over full-silicon power modules. The new module, which is the latest generation product in the company's portfolio, began shipping to customers earlier this month and boasts temperature stability and virtually no reverse recovery loss. more
#5: 1.7kV SiC FET for Inverter Auxiliary Power Supplies
Wolfspeed, a Cree Company, has introduced the first 1700V SiC MOSFET offered in an optimized surface mount package designed for commercial use in auxiliary power supplies in high-voltage power inverter systems. The higher blocking voltage enables design engineers to replace lower rated silicon MOSFETs with the new SiC MOSFETs, delivering higher efficiency, simplified driver circuitry, and lower thermal dissipation, and resulting in lower total system costs. more
#6: SiC Railcar Traction Inverter Achieves 40% Power Savings
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced today its main circuits featuring traction inverter made with all-silicon carbide (SiC), which were installed in a 1000 series urban train operated by Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. in Japan, have been verified to achieve an approximate 40-percent savings in power consumption compared to a train using conventional circuitry. The traction inverter, which is rated for 1,500Vdc catenaries, was tested over a four-month period. more
#7: SiC Module jointly-developed by Panasonic and Sansha
Panasonic Corporation and Sansha Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd., which offers the SanRex brand, today announced that they have developed a very compact SiC power module together with highly efficient operation of power switching systems. The SiC power module has sufficiently good reliability and greatly helps to reduce the size of power switching systems such as industrial inverters and power supplies. more
#8: 900V / 32A SiC MOSFETs Outperform Silicon
Cree, Inc. has introduced the industry's first 900V MOSFET platform. Optimized for high frequency power electronics applications, including renewable energy inverters, electric vehicle charging systems, and three-phase industrial power supplies, the new 900V platform enables smaller and higher efficiency next-generation power conversion systems at cost parity with silicon-based solutions. The C3M0065090J is rated at 900V/32A, with an Rds(on) of 65mΩ at 25 degrees C. At higher temperature operation (TJ = 150 degrees C), the Rds(on) is just 90mΩ. more
#9: 1200V SiC FETs target Expanded Applications Areas
The new SCT20N120 silicon-carbide (SiC) power MOSFET from STMicroelectronics, Inc. brings advanced efficiency and reliability to a broader range of energy-conscious applications such as inverters for electric/hybrid vehicles, solar or wind power generation, high-efficiency drives, power supplies, and smart-grid equipment. more
#10: AC-DC Converter Control IC Drives SiC FETs
ROHM Semiconductor has announced the development of an ac-dc converter control IC designed specifically for SiC MOSFET drive in industrial equipment such as servers and other large power applications. The BD7682FJ-LB allows the easy implementation of SiC-MOSFETs to an ac-dc converter. ROHM's latest product provide a high integrated solution and creates new standards for energy savings and miniaturization while supporting the adoption of SiC power semiconductors that provide breakthrough levels of efficiency and performance. Samples of this new control IC will be available starting in August. more
