News: Microelectronics
15 January 2020
Littelfuse launches Gate Drive Evaluation Platform to speed design of SiC-based power converters
Littelfuse Inc of Chicago, IL, USA, which provides circuit protection technologies (including fuses, semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, relays and sensors), has launched the Gate Drive Evaluation Platform (GDEV) for evaluating silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, SiC Schottky diodes and other peripheral components like gate driver circuitry, so that designers can better understand how silicon carbide technologies will behave in converter applications under continuous operating conditions.
The GDEV offers quick connect header pin terminals that allow for rapid and consistent comparison of different gate drive circuits, unlike most other SiC evaluation platforms, it is claimed. The GDEV supports an 800V DC link input voltage and up to 200kHz switching frequency.
Typical markets and applications for the GDEV include: automotive EV/HEV charging stations; industrial power supplies; data-center servers; telecom base stations; and solar/wind power inverters.
“The Gate Drive Evaluation Platform (GDEV) is a critical addition to our SiC technology portfolio because SiC is still relatively new and there are some unknowns surrounding the operating characteristics under various conditions,” says Corey Deyalsingh, director, Power Control, at Littelfuse. “The GDEV helps engineers understand the operating characteristics of SiC devices,” he adds. “By utilizing this evaluation platform, designers will be better informed about the incredibly energy-efficient opportunities that SiC technologies present. Equipped with that knowledge, we anticipate that designers will be more likely to incorporate SiC into their future designs.”
Littelfuse says that the Gate Drive Evaluation Platform enables users to:
- evaluate continuous operation of SiC power MOSFETs and diodes under rated voltage and rated current, delivering real power to the load;
- analyze system-level impacts associated with SiC-based designs, including efficiency improvements, EMI emissions and passive components (size, weight, cost);
- compare the performance of different gate driver solutions under well-defined and optimized test conditions.; and
- test gate driving circuits under continuous working conditions to evaluate gate driver thermal performance and EMI immunity.
Requests for the Gate Drive Evaluation Platform (LF-SIC-EVB-GDEV1) can be placed through authorized Littelfuse distributors worldwide.
