Keysight Technologies introduces a custom gallium nitride (GaN) test board for the company's PD1500A dynamic power device analyzer/double pulse tester. This enables developers of power converters - key components of power electronics for electrification in the transportation, renewable energy and industrial markets - to reduce prototype cycles and accelerate new product introductions.
In electromobility, the main application of the power converter (i.e. traction inverter) is to efficiently convert the energy stored in the battery pack of an electric vehicle (EV) to drive the AC motor. There are many applications for the power converter in EVs, including the on-board charger, which is the key connection for vehicle-to-grid applications.
To enable advances in power converter design, new wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor technologies are being introduced to the market that offer improvements in speed, voltage and thermal behavior. This improves efficiency while reducing size and cost. However, the design of high-performance power converters is proving difficult.
To enable consistent, reliable characterization of WBG semiconductors, Keysight has developed the analyzer platform presented here. GaN currently only targets on-board chargers and DC/DC converters in EVs. However, with the advent of vertical GaN, operating voltages are expected to catch up to SiC (1.2 kV and higher), making GaN a potential choice for higher power applications in e-mobility.
