Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Update

摘要

Power Electronics News checked in with sixteen power semiconductor manufacturers to see what’s up for wide bandgap semiconductors. According to its findings, Wolfspeed, a Cree company, for example, expects Silicon Carbide (SiC) to become more mainstream as the power electronics industry transitions away from silicon in the next five years. SiC enables electric vehicles to drive a longer distance on the same charge and makes the onboard chargers smaller and more efficient, with lower system costs. Additionally, offboard fast DC charging stations are more efficient and higher-power-capable. SiC transforms vehicle electrification, says Wolfspeed. Power Electronics News also expects SiC to take more automotive ground away from the traditional silicon semiconductor suppliers. According to GaN Systems, the automotive industry has accepted Gallium Nitride (GaN)-powered products: “Much like GaN burst into the charger market, 2021 will see the emergence of GaN Audio in the automotive audio segment.” Texas Instruments (TI) sees huge potential for high-voltage GaN, which it says doubles output power capacity while decreasing the total cost of ownership in automotive applications. TI recently introduced the industry’s first automotive GaN FET with integrated driver, pro tection and active power management for use in onboard chargers.