Semiconductor expert STMicroelectronics said it is launching third-generation silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs for electric vehicle applications. The company claims to have incorporated new proprietary technologies to further tap the energy-saving potential of SiC. It pointed out that with the accelerated development of the electric vehicle market, many automakers and auto suppliers are now adopting 800V drive systems to achieve faster charging and help reduce the weight of electric vehicles. To this end, ST's latest SiC devices are optimized for these high-end automotive applications, including EV traction inverters, on-board chargers, DC-DC converters and electronic climate compressors.

"We will continue to drive this exciting technology forward through innovations in equipment and packaging levels. As a fully integrated SiC product manufacturer, we are able to provide customers with continuously improved performance," STMicroelectronics Automotive and Discrete Devices Said Edoardo Merli, general manager and group vice president of the power transistor macro department of the business unit. "We are making tireless investments to support our automotive and industrial projects, and we expect SiC revenue to reach US$1 billion in 2024."

ST has completed the third-generation silicon carbide technology platform certification. It is expected that most of its derivative products will achieve commercial maturity by the end of 2021. Devices with nominal voltages of 650V, 750V to 1200V will be on the market, providing more choices for designers to solve from ordinary AC line voltage to high voltage Application of EV battery and charger. The first products available are 650V SCT040H65G3AG, 650V unit in H2PAK-7 package and 750V device in chip form (data sheet and quotation are provided on request).

In the field of SiC-based traction inverter development, France-based power module manufacturer Cissoid said that it has integrated Silicon Mobility's Olea FPCU controller with its SiC-based Intelligent Power Module (IPM) platform.

It is said that the joint project will provide a SiC inverter modular platform, providing highly integrated hardware and optimized software. This will include a power module and its gate driver with protection and fault management functions, an ultra-fast FPCU controller, and application software optimized for motor control.

Cissoid's IPM integrates a three-phase 1,200V/340A-550A SiC MOSFET power module with a temperature-stable gate driver to achieve low switching losses and high power density. This is a supplement to Olea FPCU controller and Olea APP inverter software, which can realize fast and efficient motor control.

"Silicon Mobility's ultra-fast Olea FPCU is the perfect technology to control our SiC IPM platform in motor drive applications," said Pierre Delatte, Cissoid's Chief Technology Officer. "Silicon carbide power modules can switch faster and run at higher frequencies, so it is necessary to use controller technology that can run real-time algorithms faster. The low power consumption of Olea FPCU is also a highly compact and efficient traction inverter. Key advantage."

Since 2007, Lawrence has been studying engineering disciplines-with a focus on racing technology-and editing and contributing to various international publications. Currently, he is responsible for the content of the UKI Media & Events website portfolio and also writes for the company's print publications.

© 2021 UKi Media & Events is a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd