SEMIKRON Article Advanced-Power-Modules EN 2017-07-03

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Advanced power modules

Motor controllers with silicon carbide-based power semiconductors increase
the efficiency and power density of new energy commercial vehicle drivetrains
The electromobility market

has taken off worldwide: total
electric vehicle sales – comprising
battery electric and plug-in hybrid
vehicles – exceeded two million
units in 2016. Particularly in China
this market development is heavily
supported by public funding
programs. Consequently the
country took the global lead in the
electric vehicle share with more than
one million registered vehicles on
its roads. Even more impressive are
the market volumes of new energy
commercial vehicles (NEV) in
Chinese mega cities: the commercial
NEV market share was 34% in 2016
(171,000 vehicles). Thereof, 133,000
city buses have been put on city
roads – this is more than 90% of the
global market share. In 2016, the
Chinese government established its Figure 2: A demonstration of the potential loss reductions Figure 3: The next-generation SKAI HV with DPD technology
final funding program, which cuts resulting from the introduction of silicon carbide-based replaces the wire bond connection with a sintered joint,
the incentives year by year and will power semiconductors instead of silicon devices increasing power cycling capability by more than 300%
be fully withdrawn in 2021. As a
result, the pressure to continuously electrification for more than 25 3 shows the improvement achieved increase of the junction temperature
improve the cost-effectiveness of years. Its work initially involved with SiC MOSFETs; 4 uses SiC compared with silicon devices.
vehicle programs will continue and material handling applications such MOSFETs assembled in an optimal Today this capability is limited by
catalyze ongoing market penetration. as forklifts in the 1990s. Semikron low inductance assembly, which the power semiconductor assembly
Batteries and electric motor equipped more than 800,000 will be available with the next SKAI technology. SKAI2HV comprises
power electronics equipment are forklifts, 50,000 city buses and HV generation – here reduction of single side sintered silicon-based
key technologies in electric vehicles. 60,000 passenger cars with power losses will be in the range of 85%; 5 power semiconductors with
The ongoing challenge is to further electronics devices. Since 2013, uses SiC MOSFETs and, in addition, aluminum-copper bonds on the top
reduce use, weight and cost of the Semikron has offered the SKAI2HV SiC freewheeling shottky diodes. sides, which today represents the
materials of these building blocks. motor controller platform, designed The notable reduction of losses top end of power semiconductor
Efficiency and power density are for electric and hybrid commercial enables a reduction in the size of assembly technology for high
key indicators for these challenges. vehicle powertrains between 50kW the motor controller and the volume production.
Semikron, a leading supplier of and 300kW (Figure 1). required cooling features. The The next-generation SKAI HV
power electronics equipment, has The introduction of SiC power overall powertrain efficiency can be (Figure 3) will comprise Semikron’s
been providing systems for vehicle semiconductors provides the increased in the range of several recently introduced direct pressed
opportunity for considerable percent, which enables higher die technology (DPD), which
efficiency increases. Figure 2 vehicle mileage with the same increases the power cycling
highlights the potential gains that battery size. Power semiconductors capability by more than 300%
can be realized through use of SiC based on SiC will never be cheaper toward SKAI2HV. With DPD, the
power semiconductors instead of than silicon-based devices. However, wire bond connection will be
silicon devices: 1 represents the thanks to the potential efficiency replaced by a sintered joint.
standard 1,200V SKAI2HV as the gains, a complete powertrain with
reference with all built-in power SiC devices could be a more FREE READER INQUIRY SERVICE
semiconductors based on silicon; cost-effective option in the future. To learn more about Semikron, visit:
2 shows a 50% reduction in losses Furthermore, SiC-based power www.ukimediaevents.com/info/ev
Figure 1: The SKAI2HV system INQUIRY NO. XXX
with built-in SiC freewheeling diodes; semiconductors enable a large
180 // July 2017 // Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Advanced power modules

The electromobility market

180 // July 2017 // Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International

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