• Journal of Advanced Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.203-208
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• 2017

Due to global climate change issues, there is a growing demand for systems throughout the industry. In the case of power conversion, studies have been actively conducted to change the structure of the power conversion circuit and to apply new power devices. In particular, the WBG (Wide Band Gap), which is newly emerged device in the market for developing semiconductor technology, has demonstrated advantages in applying for various aspects in comparison to the existing Si (Silicon) Semiconductor. Recent research centers in the railway industry are focusing on developing technologies suitable for railway vehicles by utilizing these new developments in railway countries such as Japan and Europe. This paper researches the WBG device that is applicable to the auxiliary power supplies (APS) in railway system, and analyzes the downsizing effects to APS in high-speed railway by conducting a theoretical analysis and simulation.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2023

Recently, the shift to next-generation wide-bandgap (WBG) power semiconductor for electric vehicle is accelerated due to the need to improve power conversion efficiency and to overcome the limitation of conventional Si power semiconductor. With the adoption of WBG semiconductor, it is also required that the packaging materials for power modules have high temperature durability. As an alternative to conventional high-temperature Pb-based solder, Ag sintering die attach, which is one of the power module packaging process, is receiving attention. In this study, we will introduce the recent research trends on the Ag sintering die attach process. The effects of sintering parameters on the bonding properties and methodology on the exact physical properties of Ag sintered layer by the realization 3D image are discussed. In addition, trends in thermal shock and power cycle reliability test results for power module are discussed.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 2018

Recently, electric semiconductors became an issue because of efficient use of energy and compaction of electronics. Silicon electric semiconductors are difficult to put into it because of its physical limitations. Hence, the study of WBG (Wideband Gap) semiconductors like SiC and GaN began. These devices received attention because it can be miniaturized and worked at high temperatures over $300^{\circ}C$. WBG MOSFET electric semiconductors can show performance like silicon IGBT. This can solve the current problem of IGBT tail. The current study shows the technical principles and issues related to SiC and GaN power semiconductors. WBG devices can achieve high performance compared to silicon, but its performance can't be fully utilized because of lack in bonding technology. Therefore, this review introduces research on WBG devices and their packaging issues.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2022

In this paper, WBG semiconductor such as SiC and GaN were applied as power switches for LCL circuit that can be applied to satellite power systems and the test results of the LCL circuit are reported. P-channel MOSFET and N-channel MOSFET, which were generally used in the conventional LCL circuit, were applied together to expand the utility of the test results. The design and stability evaluation were performed using a Micro Cap circuit simulation program. For the test circuit, a module using each switch was manufactured, and a total of 5 modules were manufactured and the steady state and transient state characteristics were compared. From the experimental results, the LCL circuit for power supply of the satellite power system constructed in this paper satisfied the constant current and constant voltage conditions under various operating conditions. The P-channel MOSFET showed the lowest efficiency characteristics, and the three N-channel switches of Si, SiC and GaN showed relatively high efficiency characteristics of up to 99.05% or more. In conclusion, it was verified that the on-resistor of the switch had a direct effect on the efficiency and loss characteristics.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.15-22
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• 2019

In these days, importance of the power electronic devices and modules keeps increasing due to electric vehicles and energy saving requirements. However, current silicon-based power devices showed several limitations. Therefore, wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors such as SiC, GaN, and $Ga_2O_3$ have been developed to replace the silicon power devices. WBG devices show superior performances in terms of device operation in harsh environments such as higher temperatures, voltages and switching speed than silicon-based technology. In power devices, the reliability of the devices and module package is the critically important to guarantee the normal operation and lifetime of the devices. In this paper, we reviewed the recent trends of the power devices based on WBG semiconductors as well as expected future technology. We also presented an overview of the recent package module and fabrication technologies such as direct bonded copper and active metal brazing technology. In addition, the recent heat management technologies of the power modules, which should be improved due to the increased power density in high temperature environments, are described.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.99-104
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• 2020

In this paper, efficiency and loss characteristics of GaN FET were reported by applying it into the QR flyback converter. In particular, for the comparison of efficiency characteristics, QR flyback converter experimental circuits with Si FET and with GaN FET were separately produced in 12W class. As a result of the experiment, the experimental circuit of the QR flyback converter using GaN FET reached a high efficiency of 90% or more when the load power was 2W or more, and the maximum efficiency was observed to be about 92%, and the maximum loss power was about 1.1W. Meanwhile, the efficiency of the experimental circuit with Si FET increased as the input voltage increased, and the maximum efficiency was observed to be about 82% when the load power was 9W or higher, and the maximum loss power was about 2.8W. From the results, it is estimated that that in the case of the experimental circuit applying the GaN FET switch, the power conversion efficiency was improved as the switching loss and conduction loss due to on-resistance were reduced, and the internal loss due to the synchronous rectifier was minimized. Consequently, it is concluded that the GaN FET is suitable for under 20W class power supply unit as a high efficiency power switch.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.53-62
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• 2014

본고는 최근 화두가 되고 있는 에너지 절감을 위해 고효율, 친환경의 WBG(Wide Band-Gap) 화합물반도체인 SiC(Silicon Carbide), GaN(Gallium Nitride) 전력반도체 소자 및 전력변환 모듈의 기술동향과 ETRI에서 연구개발 진행 중인 GaN 전력반도체 관련 기술에 대해 기술한다. WBG 전력반도체는 기존의 실리콘 전력반도체와 비교하여 열 특성 향상, 고속 스위칭, 고전압/고전류 특성 및 스위칭 손실 최소화 등이 가능하고 이에 따른 시스템의 소형화 및 전력효율 향상 효과를 얻을 수 있다. 특히, GaN 전력반도체 소자는 시장이 가장 넓게 형성되어 있는 900V 이하에 적용이 가능하며, 앞으로 시장이 커질 것으로 예상되는 HEV(Hybrid Electric Vehicle)/EV(Electric Vehicle)의 친환경 자동차에도 활용될 것으로 기대되고 있다. 본고는 최근의 일본과 미국에서의 WBG 전력반도체에 대한 관심 및 투자 방향과 GaN 전력반도체 소자에 대한 해외 기업의 업계동향에 대해서도 함께 살펴본다. 이러한 WBG 전력반도체에 대한 해외 선진업체의 산업동향과 더불어 ETRI에서 연구개발 중인 GaN 전력반도체 기술현황에 대해 전력소자 설계 및 제조공정, 패키징, 전력모듈 설계 제작 기술을 포함하여 기술한다.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 2012

This paper presents a practical methodology for realistic simulation on reverse characteristics of Wide Bandgap (WBG) SiC and GaN p-n junctions. The adjustment on certain physic-based model parameters, such as the trap density and photo-generation for SiC junction, and impact ionization coefficients and critical field for GaN junction are described. The adjusted parameters were used in Synopsys Medici simulation to obtain a realistic p-n junction avalanche breakdown voltage. The simulation results were verified through benchmarking against independent data reported by others.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2023

In this paper, we introduce the development trends of power devices which is the key component for power conversion system in electric vehicles, and discuss the characteristics of the next-generation wide-bandgap (WBG) power devices. We provide an overview of the characteristics of the present mainstream Si insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) devices and technology roadmap of Si IGBT by different manufacturers. Next, recent progress and advantages of SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) which are the most important unipolar devices, is described compared with conventional Si IGBT. Furthermore, due to the limitations of the current GaN power device technology, the issues encountered in applying the power conversion module for electric vehicles were described.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.204-212
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• 2020

In this study, device suitability analysis is performed by comparing the performance of SiC MOSFET and GaN Transistor, which are WBG power semiconductor devices in the induction heating (IH) system. WBG devices have the advantages of low conduction resistance, switching losses, and fast switching due to their excellent physical properties, which can achieve high output power and efficiency in IH systems. In this study, SiC and GaN are applied to a general half-bridge series resonant converter topology to compare the conduction loss, switching loss, reverse conduction loss, and thermal performance of the device in consideration of device characteristics and circuit conditions. On this basis, device suitability in the IH system is analyzed. A half-bridge series resonant converter prototype using the SiC and GaN of a 650-V rating is constructed to verify device suitability through performance comparison and verified through an experimental comparison of power loss and thermal performance.