Opportunities, Challenges, and Potential Solutions in the Application of Fast-Switching SiC Power Devices and Converters

TLDR

SiC power devices offer higher switching speeds, voltages, and temperatures than silicon, but their fast switching and high dv/dt can cause EMI, current overshoot, cross‑talk, and adverse effects on loads such as motors, presenting design challenges that must be addressed to realize their full potential. The article aims to highlight opportunities for efficiency and power‑density gains, present solutions to mitigate SiC device challenges, and provide benchmark results to accelerate adoption and deployment of SiC devices and converters. The authors review recent SiC device R&D from academia, industry, and their own work, and propose solutions to mitigate challenges and exploit the devices’ superior characteristics. Benchmark results are presented to guide and accelerate the deployment of SiC devices and converters.

Abstract

Power devices based on wide-bandgap material such as silicon carbide (SiC) can operate at higher switching speeds, higher voltages, and higher temperatures compared to those based on silicon material. This article highlights some opportunities brought by SiC devices in existing and emerging applications in terms of efficiency and power density improvement. While the opportunities are clear, there are also design challenges that must be met in order to realize their full potential. For example, the fast switching speeds and high dv/dt of SiC devices can cause increased electromagnetic interference, current overshoot, cross-talk effect, and have a negative impact on loads such as motors. This article presents several potential solutions to tackle the application challenges and to fully exploit the superior characteristics of SiC devices and converters while attenuating their negative side effects. This article provides an overview of recent SiC device research and development activities based on academic literature, work carried out by the authors and collaborators as well as input from industry. It aims to provide benchmark results and a timely and useful reference to accelerate the adoption and deployment of SiC devices and converters.