SPACIALLY ORIENTED SEMICONDUCTOR ASSEMBLY

摘要

To be able to switch high voltages and reduce EMI effects, inverters are often set up with multiple semiconductors (switches) in serial configuration. In off state, this leads to a symmetrical distribution of the DC-link voltage over all serialized switches. A big benefit of the serial connection is the opportunity to overcome failures in single semiconductors if the remaining switches (n-1) can withstand the DC-link voltage. Malfunction triggered by e.g. cosmic radiation effects on semiconductor devices is a big problem for electric propulsion systems. Cosmic radiation is an ionizing radiation produced when primary photons and a particles from outside the solar system interact with components of the earth's atmosphere. A second source of cosmic radiation is the release of charged particles from the sun, which become significant during periods of solar flare ("sun storm"). Whereas there are different methods to prevent most cosmic radiation to reach electronic installation, cosmic radiation in the form of neutrons are a big problem especially for semiconductors.