Technical Article

TRENCHSTOP IGBT 7 A Good Fit for Industrial Drives

September 21, 2018 by Benjamin Sahan

This article discusses IGBT7 Chip Technology and its benefits to variable-speed drive applications.

Electric-motor systems consume nearly half of all electric energy generation [1]. Variable speed drives (VSD) enable considerable energy savings compared to fixed speed operation with mechanical throttling. Efficient, robust and cost-effective power semiconductors are required to increase the rate of inverterization and to further increase overall system efficiency.

One major topic in drive applications is the limitation of switching speed due to the inherent limitation of the motor insulation system. Therefore, switching slopes (dv/dt) are restricted to the range of 2 to 10 kV/μs with a typical target of 5 kV/μs. Moreover, a motor overload is typically only required for a short time, e.g. to provide initial breakaway torque at start-up. These requirements are addressed by Infineon’s new 1200 V TRENCHSTOP™ IGBT7 and emitter-controlled diode EC7 technology. The IGBT7 is based on the latest micro-pattern trench technology (MPT) [2] and offers a significantly reduced on-state loss compared to IGBT4. A high level of controllability is provided as well as operation at 175 °C under short-term overload conditions.

The key benefits include:

  • Very low on-state voltage, e.g., VCE(sat) =1.65 V (@Tvj=125 °C)
  • Tvj,op=175 °C during overload
  • Enhanced controllability of dv/dt
  • Optimized switching losses for dv/dt = 5 kV/μs
  • 8 μs short-circuit robustness with derating curves
  • Improved FWD (free-wheeling diode) softness
  • High power density, up to 40% smaller package
  • Proven package technology and broad portfolio

 

IGBT7 Chip Technology 

The IGBT7 cell concept is characterized by the implementation of stripe-patterned trench cells separated by sub-micron mesas [2], in contrast to the formerly used square trench cells. Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of an MPT structure with possible trench designs.

 

Chip technology overview
Figure 1. Chip technology overview

 

For trench cells with smaller cell pitches and narrow mesas between gate areas, the carrier storage close to the emitter electrode increases considerably. Therefore, there is a significant increase in electrical conductivity in the drift zone, which leads to a substantial reduction in forward voltage.

Compared to the last IGBT4 generation, IGBT7 shows almost the same turn-off losses while making a big step in the reduction of static losses. Its on-state voltage is reduced by around 20% compared to the IGBT4 T4 chip. A typical value is 1.65 V at Tvj=125°C. This brings significant loss reduction in the final application, especially for industrial drives applications which usually operate at moderate switching frequency.

Not only the IGBT itself but also the FWD for the IGBT7, the emitter-controlled diode EC7, is tailored to drive applications. Compared to the previous emitter-controlled diode EC4, it has a 100 mV lower forward voltage drop, and also an improvement in reverse-recovery softness [3].

 

Optimized Switching

Motors supplied with typical pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage signals from inverters will experience higher electrical stress in their insulation systems. The resulting voltage spikes and rise times can lead to arcing, and eventually to coil-insulation failure. Therefore, motor manufacturers typically recommend not exceeding a dv/dt limit of approximately 5 kV/μs under worst-case conditions for 400 V motors.

For this purpose, the TRENCHSTOP IGBT7 offers a high level of controllability. The controllability corresponds to the device’s ability to vary the dv/dt by adjustment of the value of the gate resistor (RG). This, in turn, will affect the total switching losses (Etot) [3]. The TRENCHSTOP IGBT7 is inherently optimized for typical dv/dt values around 5 kV/μs. In the TRENCHSTOP IGBT7 data sheets, the dv/dt values and switching losses are provided in dependency of the external gate resistance RG [4]. The turn-on dv/dt curve is specified at 10% nominal current and room temperature, the turn-off curve at nominal current and room temperature. It should be noted that the dv/dt level, especially the turn-on dv/dt, is not absolute, but are also dependent on the final test setup.

As an example, Figure 2 depicts the dv/dt of the IGBT as a function of gate resistance RG for the 100A module FS100R12W2T7. At nominal RG of 1.8 Ω, the turn-off dv/dt is already below 5 kV/μs, and turn-on dv/dt is very close to this limit. Figure 2 indicates the gate resistance values if a dv/dt of 4 kV/μs is required.

 

IGBT dv/dt versus gate resistance RG for FS100R12W2T7
Figure 2. IGBT dv/dt versus gate resistance RG for FS100R12W2T7

 

Figure 3 shows the normalized switching losses in dependency of the resistance. For 4 kV/μs, total switching losses are only 7% higher than the value at nominal RG.

 

Switching losses at Tvj=125°C, VDC=600 V normalized to ICnom
Figure 3. Switching losses at Tvj=125°C, VDC=600 V normalized to ICnom

 

Reducing Power Losses with the IGBT7

An important design target was to reduce the power losses while increasing the power density significantly [3]. This enables the end user to build more efficient and reliable power electronic systems.

The power losses of the inverter stage for two power modules rated at 25 A were simulated for typical application conditions as given in Table 1. As can be seen in Figure 4, the switching losses at the given dv/dt limitation are similar but the conduction losses are significantly decreased. Moreover, there is a reduction in diode losses. All in all, this results in 15% lower power losses.

 

IGBT7 Frame Size Extension

Not only lower power losses, but also increased power density and higher operating temperature are major system benefits of the IGBT7. Typically, drive manufacturers offer several motor power classes in one mechanical frame size. Due to its higher power density, the TRENCHSTOP IGBT7 enables an extension of existing frame sizes.

 

Simulated power losses per switch for FP25R12W2T4 and FP25R12W2T7 (Easy2B)
Figure 4. Simulated power losses per switch for FP25R12W2T4 and FP25R12W2T7 (Easy2B)

 

In the following section an example for the application of General Purpose Drives (GPD) is given. The focus is on the increase of power density resulting in a reduction of system cost. This can be achieved by using a 40% smaller power module, the Easy1B instead of the Easy2B. Simulations of junction temperatures were run under overload conditions assuming the industry’s normal-duty (ND) and heavy-duty (HD) operating conditions for a motor power class of 7.5 kW (ND) and 5.5 kW (HD) [4].

Under both conditions, the IGBT7 in the Easy1B package can be used. Above that the cooling effort can be reduced due to the higher operating temperature. Figure 5 shows one example for the ND load profile where an overload of 150% for 3s and 110% for 60s and a base load output current of 17.8 A have been assumed. The junction temperature Tvjop is given in dependency to the thermal resistance of the heatsink RthHA (per switch). For the same RthHA the IGBT7 can be operated at a lower temperature. Alternatively, utilizing the higher operating temperature of 175°C, a higher value of RthHA can be accepted which goes along with a less complex heatsink (e.g. standard extrusion) or less powerful fan.

 

Junction temperature as a function of RthHA for normal duty comparing FP25R12W2T4 with FP25R12W1T7
Figure 5. Junction temperature as a function of RthHA for normal duty (ND) comparing FP25R12W2T4 (Easy 2B) with FP25R12W1T7 (Easy 1B)

 

IGBT7 Provides Benefits to Variable-Speed Drive Applications

The investigations comparing IGBT4 and IGBT7 have shown the significant benefits of IGBT7 especially for variable-speed drive applications. The simulation results of IGBT7 in the Easy 1B & Easy 2B package show the potential of significantly higher power density than with IGBT4. This is because IGBT7 can offer the same current rating but in a smaller package. In addition, IGBT7 has been optimized for operation at a dv/dt level of 5 kV/μs to meet the requirements of motor-insulation systems.

In conclusion, IGBT7 is an attractive solution for variable speed drives requiring high efficiency and power density.

 

About the Authors

Benjamin Sahan was born in Hannover, Germany, in 1979. He received the Dipl.-Ing. degree in electrical engineering from Leibniz University of Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany, in 2006 and the Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.)degree from the University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany, in 2010. From 2006 to 2009, he was with the Institute for Solar Energy Technology, University of Kassel in the Power Electronics Group. He is currently a Chief Engineer at the Centre of Competence for Distributed Electric Power Technology (KDEE), University of Kassel. His main research interests include the design and control of distributed and renewable power conversion systems. Dr. Sahan received the Best Paper Award of PCIM Conference, Nuremberg, Germany, in 2009.

Ainhoa Puyadena Mier holds a Bachelor's Degree in Energy Engineering at Mondragon University and an MBA at ThePowerMBA. Ainhoa Puyadena Mier currently works as the System Engineer at Infineon Technologies since November 2017.

Uwe Jansen is a graduate from RWTH Aachen University and is currently working as a Principal Application Engineer at Infineon Technologies since August 2003.

Alexander Philippou works at Infineon Technologies.

Max Seifert is a Physicist from the Technical University of Munich with a focus on semiconductor physics. He has already achieved 11 publications through-out his career. Currently, he is working as the Project Manager at Infineon Technologies since November 2015.

Christian Muller holds a Dipl. -Ing. in Electrical Engineering at Giessen-Friedberg University of Applied Sciences. He currently works as a Senior Staff Engineer at Infineon Technologies since February 2012.

Christian Jaeger holds a Diploma in Physics at the Technical University of Munich. He also studied Business Administration at the University of Hagen. He worked as the Project Manager for Chip Development and now currently works as the Senior Manager for Technology and Device Development – Automotive High Power at Infineon Technologies since January 2020.

 

References

  1. F. Ferreira, A. de Almeida “Reducing Energy Costs in Electric-Motor- Driven Systems”, IEEE Industry Applications Magazine 2018
  2. C. Jaeger, et al, “A New Sub-Micron Trench Cell Concept in Ultrathin. Wafer Technology for Next Generation 1200 V IGBTs” ISPSD, Sapporo, Japan, 2017.
  3. C. R. Müller, et al., “New 1200 V IGBT and Diode Technology with Improved Controllability for Superior Performance in Drives Application”, PCIM Europe, Nuremberg, Germany, 2018
  4. Infineon Technologies AG “AN2018-14 TRENCHSTOP™ 1200 V IGBT7 Application Note”

 

This article originally appeared in the Bodo’s Power Systems magazine.