Power is priority

High-performance products and systems that meet the increasing trend towards miniaturization and low power consumption require engineers to have a comprehensive understanding of discrete semiconductor technologies such as power MOSFETs, small-signal MOSFETs, and GaN FETs. Whether the application is in automotive, IoT,  or consumer and other mobile electronic devices - effective power management must be prioritized. 

The global move to reduce CO2 emissions drives a need for more efficient power conversion and increased electrification across industries. Staying ahead of trends, including developments in components and their application, as well as understanding exactly how to use them, is essential for engineers to remain cutting edge.

Semiconductor manufacturer, Nexperia, has just released the MOSFET and GaN FET Engineer’s Handbook with the goal to optimize their customer’s electronic designs through sharing their expertise. The handbook is a collection of technical and application insights and a part of the Technical Nexperia Encyclopedia made up of handbooks, seminars, and video resources.

MOSFET Applications

Advances in power MOSFET structures and packaging are driving system efficiency and performance forward in both mains and battery-powered applications.  MOSFETS are also designed for very specific applications (ASFETs). For example, the rise of small, power-dense, high-performance applications such as mobile battery-powered electronics has spurred the development of advanced packages with high-speed switching. Other application-specific designs include optimized parameters for soft-start, live insertion, short-circuit resilience, avalanche ruggedness, and advanced thermal management.

An essential aspect of power MOSFETs for engineers to leverage is their thermal performance. Thermal system optimization is increasingly important in relation to electrical optimization as the power requirements in their applications increase. Additionally, a MOSFETs strong thermal performance is essential for reliability. Where this property is especially relevant is in automotive applications. Power steering, ABS braking,  DC/DC conversion, and reverse battery protection all require reliable and rugged components that can withstand both high temperatures and manage the switching load while maintaining thermal efficiency. Outside of the automotive industry, power MOSFETs with exceptional thermal performance are required for battery-powered power tools, power supply equipment, and telecom infrastructure.

Figure 1: MOSFETs play a crucial role in ABS braking.

GaN FET Applications

The automotive industry is quickly becoming electrified. Optimistic forecasts suggest electric vehicle (EV) sales will reach 44 million vehicles per year by 2030. While the battery remains central to the continued development of efficient and powerful electric cars, improvements across the powertrain will also significantly impact vehicle efficiency.

Power GaN FET technology, though at the early stage of technology maturity, offers significant commercial viability with robustness and reliability. GaN delivers on smaller, more efficient, and lower-cost power systems thanks to its ability to provide lower switching loss, faster-switching speeds, increased power density, and improved thermal budgets. GaN FETs are designed to address the needs of AC-DC and DC-DC conversion, power factor correction (PFC), automotive on-board charging, and electric drive applications. To ensure the reliability of automotive electronics, the Automotive Electronics Council introduced its AEC-Q100 family of standards. Automotive devices must meet or exceed this standard.

The MOSFET and GaN FET Handbook

To meet the push towards increased intelligent use of MOSFETS and GaN FETs by engineers, Nexperia has launched a MOSFET and GaN FET Engineer’s Handbook. The handbook provides a comprehensive view of their components currently available in these families. It is a useful tool to guide designers through the design and application of MOSFETs and GaN FETs. Nexperia’s internal engineering experts developed the handbook for an engineering audience.

The handbook is designed as both an educational tool and a reference guide. Each chapter of the book guides an engineer through different aspects of the components including a valuable overview of how to read data sheets where the goal is to help an engineer decide what device is most suitable for a particular application.

The fundamentals of MOSFET and GaN FETs explained

The handbook includes an analysis of common Power MOSFET applications that highlight the demands imposed on the MOSFET gate-oxide by the application. Different applications have been analyzed to develop a mission profile for the VGS. This states what levels of VGS the MOSFET will be exposed to, for how long, and at what temperature. This information can then be used to select the correct MOSFET for the application, thus ensuring optimum and reliable operation.

Power GaN technology is full of challenges. They are already successful in Radio Frequency applications, but there are still challenges to meet in high current high power applications.  The handbook elaborates on the robustness and reliability at high voltage and high temperatures of Power GaN FET technology and provides direction for application. The handbook goes beyond just revealing which components would survive in a particular application but provides guidance on which component is suitable to get the best result.

Recommended reading: The Designers Guide to Logic and Its Applications

Each chapter also includes a frequently asked question section to share the knowledge Nexperia has gathered from its broad community of engineers. The handbook aims to become a ‘go-to’ reference for anybody tasked with delivering optimized power and small-signal switching, power conversion, and power management.  Within the handbook, QR codes refer readers to relevant video learning resources created by Nexperia.

The LFPAK family exceed AEC-Q101 standards.

Conclusion

MOSFETs and GaN FETs are essential to meet and exceed the requirements of both an increasingly electrified but power-conservative world. Understanding the design, application, and potential of these components can be complicated and confusing and require resources that support engineers’ design process. These resources must provide relevant references, case studies, examples, and FAQ so engineers can select components that deliver innovation.

About the sponsor: Nexperia

Nexperia is the expert in high-volume production of discrete and MOSFET components, Power GaN FETs, and analog & logic ICs. With an absolute focus on efficiency, Nexperia consistently produces the essential semiconductors required by every electronic design in the world: more than 90 billion annually. Products that are benchmarks in efficiency - in process, size, power, and performance - with industry-leading small packages that save valuable energy and space. With decades of experience, supplying to the world’s biggest companies, Nexperia has over 11,000 employees across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., offering global support. The company has an extensive IP portfolio and is certified to IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001.