• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.553-559
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• 2022

In this paper, RC snubber circuit design technology for oscillation suppression in half-bridge configuration of cascode gallium nitride (GaN) field effect transistors (FETs) is analyzed. A typical wide band-gap (WBG) device, cascode GaN FET, has excellent high-speed switching characteristics. However, due to such high-speed switching characteristics, a false turn-off problem is caused, and an RC snubber circuit is essential to suppress this. In this paper, the commonly used experimental-based RC snubber design technique and the RC snubber design technique using the root locus method are compared and analyzed. In the general method, continuous circuit changes are required until the oscillation suppression performance requirement is met based on experimental experience . However, in root locus method, the initial value can be set based on the non-oscillation R-C map. To compare the performance of the two aforementioned design methods, a simulation experiment and a switching experiment using an actual double pulse circuit are performed.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2022

The series-connected semiconductor devices structure is one way to achieve a high voltage rating. However, a problem with voltage imbalance exists in which different voltages are applied to the series-connected switches. This paper proposed a new voltage balancing technique that controls the turn-off delay time of the switch by adding one bipolar junction transistor to the gate turn-off path. The validity of the proposed method is proved through simulation and experiment. The proposed active gate driver not only enables voltage balancing across a variety of current ranges but also has a greater voltage balancing performance compared with conventional RC snubber methods.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.146-152
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• 2015

In this paper, we propose a boost DC-DC converter using a modification of the passive auxiliary resonant snubber circuit with a DC-DC converter in a typical active auxiliary resonant snubber-bridge inverter. The proposed boost DC-DC converter is small compared to the DC-DC converter according to the soft-switching scheme that requires a general auxiliary switch by realizing the soft switching operation as a DC-DC converter which does not require an auxiliary switch. It is light-weight, switch the turn-on and turn-off switching loss at the time of the superposition of the voltage and current is extremely small, so small. And the reduction of the surge voltage and current of the switch. In addition, the proposed boost DC-DC converter has a high efficiency over a wide load characteristics change area than conventional hard switching PWM boost converter using an RC snubber loss.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.99-104
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• 2024

With the advancement of power electronics technology and the increasing demand for high-efficiency power semiconductors, silicon carbide (SiC) devices have gained attention as an alternative to overcome the limitations of traditional silicon (Si) semiconductors. SiC devices enable excellent switching efficiency due to their high switching speed. However, parasitic inductance within the power module can cause voltage oscillations and overshoot phenomena, potentially leading to issues with electrical reliability and efficiency. To address these challenges, two approaches were proposed and validated. The first approach involved applying an RC snubber circuit to mitigate the effects of parasitic inductance, thereby improving electrical stability. The second approach focused on optimizing the lead-frame design to reduce parasitic inductance. Both methods were verified through simulations and experiments, demonstrating that the electrical reliability and efficiency of SiC power modules can be simultaneously improved.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.446-453
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• 2021

This paper proposes enhanced single-phase pulse width modulation buck, boost, and buck-boost type ac-ac converters. The proposed converters, where input and output voltages share a common ground, require no isolated voltage sensor and have no leakage current problem. The commutation problem is solved with series-connected switching cell structures without using an additional RC snubber. In addition, with the use of the polarity of input voltage, switching patterns are determined so that the inductor currents can flow through switching devices during all operational modes. Two switches are always turned on during a half-period of the input voltage; thus, the switching loss is significantly reduced. Detailed analysis and experimental results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed converter.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2005

A high efficiency ZVS PWM asymmetrical half bridge converter for a plasma display panel (PDP) sustaining power modules is proposed in this paper. To achieve the ZVS of power switches for the wide load range, a small additional inductor L/sub 1kg/, which also acts as an output filter inductor, is serially inserted into the transformer's primary side. At that point, to solve the problem of ringing in the secondary rectifier caused by L/sub 1kg/, the proposed circuit employs a structure without the output filter inductor, which helps the voltages across rectifier diodes to be clamped at the output voltage. Therefore, no dissipative RC (resistor capacitor) snubber for rectifier diodes is needed and a high efficiency as well as low noise output voltage can be realized. In addition, since it has no large output inductor filter, the asymmetrical half bridge converter features a simpler structure, lower cost, less mass, and lighter weight. In addition, since all energy stored in L/sub 1kg/ is transferred to the output side, the circulating energy problem can be effectively solved. The operational principle, theoretical analysis, and design considerations are presented. To confirm the operation, validity, and features of the proposed circuit, experimental results from a 425W, 385Vdc/170Vdc prototype are presented.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.1055-1063
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• 2014

Power losses of a 1-stage DC-DC converter and 2-stage DC-DC converter are compared in this paper. A phase-shift full-bridge DC-DC converter is considered as 1-stage topology. This topology has disadvantages in the stress of rectifier diodes because of the resonance between the leakage inductor of the transformer and the junction capacitor of the rectifier diode. 2-stage topology is composed of an LLC resonant full-bridge DC-DC converter and buck converter. The LLC resonant full-bridge DC-DC converter does not need an RC snubber circuit of the rectifier diode. However, there is the drawback that the switching loss of the buck converter is large due to the hard switching operation. To reduce the switching loss of the buck converter, SiC MOSFET is used. This paper analyzes and compares power losses of two topologies considering temperature condition. The validity of the power loss analysis and calculation is verified by a PSIM simulation model.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2004.07b
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• pp.537-541
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• 2004

A high efficiency ZVS PWM asymmetrical half bridge converter for a plasma display panel (PDP) sustaining power module is proposed in this paper. To achieve the ZVS of power switches for the wide fond range, n small additional inductor $L_{lkg}$, which also acts as an output filter inductor, is serially inserted to the transformer primary side. Then, to solve the problem related to ringing in the secondary rectifier caused by $L_{lkg}$, the proposed circuit employs a structure without the output filter inductor, which helps the voltages across rectifier diodes to be clamped at the output voltage. Therefore, no dissipative RC (resistor capacitor) snubber for rectifier diodes is needed and n high efficiency as well as low noise output voltage can be realized. In addition, since it has no large output inductor filter, it features a simpler structure, lower cost, less mass, and lighter weight. Moreover, since all energy stored in $L_{lkg}$ is transferred to the output side, the circulating energy problem can be effectively solved. The operational principle, theoretical analysis, and design considerations are presented. To confirm the operation, validity, and features of the proposed circuit, experimental results from a 425W, 385Vdc/170Vdc prototype are presented.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2004.07a
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• pp.341-345
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• 2004

A high efficiency and low device stress voltage and current clamping BVS PWM asymmetrical half bridge converter is proposed in this paper. To achieve the ZVS of power switches along the wide load range, the transformer leakage inductor $L_{Ikg}$ is increased. Then, to solve the problem related to ringing in the secondary rectifier caused by the resonance between $L_{Ikg}$ and rectifier junction capacitors, the proposed converter employs a voltage and current clamping cell, which helps voltages and currents of rectifier diodes to be clamped at the output voltage and output current, respectively. Therefore, no RC-snubber for rectifier diodes is needed and a high efficiency as well as low noise output voltage can be realized. In addition, since all energy stored in $L_{Ikg}$ is transferred to the output side, the circulating energy problem can be effectively solved and duty loss does net exist. The operational principle, theoretical analysis, and design considerations are presented. To confirm the operation, validity, and features of the proposed circuit, experimental results from a 425W, 385-170Vdc prototype are presented.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1998.07f
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• pp.2067-2069
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• 1998

A prototype semiconductor switch for the command resonant charging system has been developed for a line type modulator, which charges parallel pulse forming network(PFN) up to voltage of 5 kV at repetition rates of 60 Hz. A phase controlled power supply provides charging of the 4.7 ${\mu}s$ filter capacitor bank to voltage up to 5 kV. A solid state module of series stack array of sixe matched SCRs(1.6 kV, 50 A) is used as a command charging switch to initiate the resonant charging cycle. Both resistive and RC snubber network are used across each stage of the switch assembly in order to ensure proper voltage division during both steady state and transient condition. A master trigger signal is generated to trigger circuits which are transmitted through pulse transformer to each of the 6 series switch stages. A pulse transformer is required for high voltage trigger or power isolation. This paper will discuss trigger method, protection scheme, circuit simulation, and test result.