SiC Power Device｜Application
Summary
2021.05.12
In a series of six articles with the title “SiC MOSFET: Behavior of Gate-Source Voltage in Bridge Configuration”, we have explained the behavior of the gate voltage that can occur in a bridge configuration in which rapid switching of large currents is performed.
MOSFET gate voltages in a bridge configuration are extremely complicated, due to the fact that the MOSFETs operate in relation to each other. Moreover, the behavior changes dramatically depending on the conditions of the gate driving circuit. For example, even when the circuit design and the MOSFETs and other components are the same, the behavior can be completely different if the PCB and the wiring layout are different. In fact, it should be considered that the behavior changes greatly with the PCB and wiring; if one assumes that there is no need for diligent evaluations when the PCB and layout are different because the circuit design has a proven track record, all manner of problems will result.
An understanding of the basic operation and the mechanisms underlying waveform behavior will make possible countermeasures when problems occur in actual design. The example used in these articles was a boost (step-up) circuit with LS MOSFET switching, but in a buck (step-down) circuit with HS MOSFET switching, the same operation occurs simply by interchanging the LS and HS operation. Hence the same basic approach can be applied for various circuit topologies using hard switching.
The following provides links to the series articles and summarizes the key points in each; we hope they will prove useful.
SiC MOSFET: Behavior of Gate-Source Voltage in Bridge Configuration
Key Points
・Power switching devices are used as switching elements in various power supply applications and power lines.
・Circuit types used vary greatly, and there are many methods of use as well.
・In a bridge configuration in which switching elements are series-connected on high and low sides, the elements affect each other through their alternating on-off operation.
・Detailed understanding of switching operation is necessary for successful fast switching conversion of large amounts of power.
▶SiC MOSFET Bridge Configuration
Key Points
・In examining” SiC MOSFET: Behavior of Gate-Source Voltage in Bridge Configuration”, the simplest synchronous boost circuit, using MOSFETs in a bridge configuration, is used as an example.
・The configuration and operation of the example circuit, and the voltage and current waveforms, should be understood.
▶SiC MOSFET Gate Driving Circuit and Turn-On/Turn-Off Operation
Key Points
・The manners of changes in VDS and ID are different during turn-on and during turn-off.
・The effects of these changes on VGS are considered based on an equivalent circuit that includes the parasitic components of the gate driving circuit.
▶Currents and Voltages Occurring Due to Switching in Bridge Circuits
Key Points
・Due to changes in the VDS and ID of MOSFETs in switching operation in gate driving circuits, parasitic capacitances and inductances cause currents and voltages to appear in the circuits.
・Because dVDS/dt and dID/dt assume both positive and negative values, the polarities of the resulting currents and voltages are different during turn-on and turn-off.
▶Behavior of the Gate-Source Voltage During Low-side Switch Turn-on
Key Points
・In a bridge configuration, due to MOSFET gate capacitances and changes in VDS and ID resulting from switching, in some cases HS self turn-on may occur when the LS switch turns on.
・One method to deal with self turn-on involves reducing the values of external gate resistors, but in order to avoid effects on other operation, measures are necessary to reduce the gate resistance only during HS turn-off.
▶Behavior of the Gate-Source Voltage During Low-side Switch Turn-off
Key Points
・When the LS switch has turned off also, the same behavior as during turn-on occurs.
・Minus surges occurring on the HS may exceed the rated value, and in such cases circuit modification is necessary.
【Download Documents】 Basics of SiC Power Devices
This handbook explains the physical properties and advantages of SiC, the differences in characteristics and usage of SiC Schottky barrier diodes and SiC MOSFETs with a comparison to Si devices, and includes a description of full SiC modules with various advantages.
SiC Power Device
Basic
- What are SiC Schottky barrier diodes? ? Introduction
- What are SiC-MOSFETs? – SiC-MOSFET Features
- What are Full-SiC Power Modules?
- Summary
- Introduction
- What is silicon carbide?
Application
-
Introduction
- SiC MOSFET Bridge Configuration
- SiC MOSFET Gate Driving Circuit and Turn-On/Turn-Off Operation
- Currents and Voltages Occurring Due to Switching in Bridge Circuits
- Behavior of the Gate-Source Voltage During Low-side Switch Turn-on
- Behavior of the Gate-Source Voltage During Low-side Switch Turn-off
- Summary
- SiC MOSFETs: Method for Determining Losses from Switching Waveforms
-
SiC MOSFETs： Snubber Circuit Designs ーIntroductionー
- Non-Discharge RCD Snubber Circuit Design
- Surges Occurring between Drain and Source
- Types and Selection of Snubber Circuits
- C Snubber Circuit Design
- RC Snubber Circuit Design
- Discharge RCD Snubber Circuit Design
- Non-Discharge RCD Snubber Circuit Design
- Differences in Surge Occurrence Depending on Package
- SiC MOSFETs： Snubber Circuit Designs ーSummaryー
- Points to Note When Measuring SiC MOSFET Gate-Source Voltages: General Measurement Methods
-
Conventional MOSFET Driving Method
- Packages Provided with Driver Source Terminals
- Differences Made by and Benefits of a Driver Source Pin
- Benefits of a Driver Source Terminal: Comparisons Using Double Pulse Tests
- Behavior of Gate-Source Voltages when in a Bridge Configuration: Behavior at Turn-on
- Behavior of Gate-Source Voltages when in a Bridge Configuration: Behavior at Turn-off
- Points to be Noted Relating to Board Wiring Layout Key Points of This Article
- Verification of Loss Reduction Using Latest-Generation SiC MOSFETs
- About Surges in Gate-Source Voltages
Product Information
- SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes
- SiC MOSFET
- SiC Power Modules
- SiC Schottky barrier diode Bare Die
- SiC MOSFET Bare Die
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