Accurate switching energy estimation of wide bandgap devices used in converters for aircraft applications

Abstract

This paper describes a method which precisely estimates switching losses of fast power semiconductors. In this method, no transistor current is measured and, consequently the switching behavior of the transistor is not changed by the measurement system. By two different measurement modes, turn-off and turn-on losses can be estimated separately, which is necessary to precisely design isolated DC/DC converters used in aircrafts. The proposed switching loss measurement method is explained and experimental results on Silicon Carbide MOSFETs verify its operation and accuracy.