Use of a negative gate drive can lead to a larger voltage drop during deadtime and severe losses. Andrea Gorgerino, EPC GaN devices have gone from initial R&D to mainstream designs over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, there are many misunderstandings left-over from those early-stage developments or dead-end technology branches. One of the most pernicious […]
MOSFETS
Selecting a gate driver for ASIL-certified systems
Several safety features now found in gate driver integrated circuits make it easier for automotive system designs to get ASIL certification. David Divins • Infineon Technologies The Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) is a risk classification system defined by the ISO 26262 standard for the functional safety of road vehicles. There are four ASIL safety […]
Buck DC/DC converter IC features built-in MOSFET for automotive apps
ROHM Semiconductor today announced the BD9S402MUF-C, a new buck DC/DC converter IC with built-in MOSFET (switching regulator) for automotive applications such as infotainment and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) incorporating onboard sensors and cameras that are becoming more advanced. In recent years, safety requirements in the automotive sector have increased as technological innovations in accident prevention and autonomous driving continue […]
Where depletion-mode power MOSFETs excel
Depletion-mode MOSFETs have qualities that let them work well in several kinds of power-handling circuits. Aalok Bhatt, José Padilla, Raymon Zhou • Littelfuse, Inc. Most MOSFETs are enhancement-mode (EM) devices: When their gate-source voltage is zero, they don’t conduct. When the need is for a switch that is normally on when there is no power […]
High-side gate driver enables wire protection for advanced automotive power distribution
Modern cars feature numerous advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Safety-critical ADAS applications must be designed for high availability, and automated driving functions are even more challenging to implement as they introduce fail operational requirements. The impact on the primary power distribution is the introduction of safety elements to guarantee fast failure isolation in less than […]
Integrated ac-dc power stages handle up to 950 V
Optimized performance, efficiency, and reliability in high-voltage power supplies need to be combined with reduced bill-of-material (BOM) count and cost, as well as lower design efforts. With its 5 th generation fixed-frequency (FF) CoolSET portfolio, Infineon Technologies AG offers the right components to meet these needs and effectively manage the critical design trade-offs. The new 800 V and 950 V […]
Alternator regulator enhanced features ensure stability of 12-V vehicle electrical systems
STMicroelectronics has introduced the L9918 automotive alternator regulator, with enhanced features to ensure the stability of 12V vehicle electrical systems. The regulator contains a MOSFET to deliver an alternator excitation current and a freewheeling diode to handle the rotor current when excitation is turned off. Closed-loop operation with load response control (LRC) and return […]
Power module pair simplify SiC inverter designs
STMicroelectronics has released two STPOWER modules that contain 1200V silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs in popular configurations. Each uses ST’s ACEPACK[1] 2 package technology to ensure high power density and simplified assembly. The first of the new modules, the A2F12M12W2-F1, is a four-pack module that provides a convenient and compact full-bridge solution for circuits such as DC/DC converters. […]
200-V MOSFETs target EV motor control, power supplies
Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation announced that the company has introduced its third-generation 200V Medium Voltage (MV) Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) for Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) motor controllers and industrial power supplies. To maximize energy efficiency in power devices, Magnachip’s new 200V MOSFETs incorporate third-generation trench MOSFET technology. The capacitance was reduced by 50% compared to the previous generation […]
Enabling a do-it-yourself hot-swap circuit design using a hybrid architecture
By Durga Praveen G and Rakesh Panguloori, Texas Instruments There is unprecedented demand for highly available and redundant systems to offer the best user experience. For example, in communications, banking, and industrial automated systems, any amount of system downtime could potentially lead to lost customers. The implementation of a hot-swap circuit at the input of […]
