In July, the US semiconductor manufacturer ON Semiconductor (onsemi) presented its new generation of SiC semiconductors, which are said to offer significant advantages for the energy efficiency of electrical systems. (p. 1002) We asked Dr. Mrinal Das, Senior Director of Technical Marketing, Power Solutions Group at onsemi in Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas, USA), about this.
How can silicon carbide-based MOSFETs help to increase the performance and reliability of electrical systems?
Compared to traditional silicon components, they offer significant advantages. Despite a much smaller surface area, SiC chips conduct the same current due to their higher thermal conductivity. Lower conduction and switching losses lead to higher efficiency, lower transition temperatures and longer lifetimes. Their ability to operate at higher frequencies can reduce the size and weight of power electronics systems.
Where is the potential of onsemi's MOSFETs best demonstrated?
In power conversion applications that require high efficiency and power density. Their potential is particularly evident in the automotive and industrial sectors, where they are used in electric vehicle drives, DC fast chargers, solar inverters and energy storage systems. The latest generation of SiC MOSFETs, such as the EliteSiC M3e, offers significant improvements in energy efficiency, which is crucial for energy-intensive applications.
SiC MOSFETs are considered less robust and more expensive than silicon IGBTs. Are they mainly suitable for niche applications?
SiC MOSFETs are indeed more robust than Si IGBTs. Field data from several suppliers show that they have lower failure rates than Si IGBTs. Although SiC MOSFETs are currently more expensive than silicon IGBTs, they offer significant advantages for applications where efficiency and high frequency operation are critical. They are ideally suited for applications in electric mobility, including electric vehicles (EVs), as their ability to handle high frequencies and reduce power losses results in better performance and longer battery life. Further development of the technology and scaling of production is expected to reduce costs, making SiC MOSFETs an attractive option for a wider range of applications.
The energy demand for sustainable artificial intelligence is increasing exponentially. How does onsemi estimate the development over the next 5-10 years?
onsemi is driving innovation in power semiconductors to meet the growing energy needs of sustainable artificial intelligence. With the introduction of our latest MOSFETs, we aim to significantly reduce energy losses, which is crucial for energy-intensive applications such as AI workloads. We plan to continue on this path and bring several generations of SiC technology to market by 2030 to support the global transition to electrification.
