SiC, a wide bandgap technology, has several advantages over silicon, including high thermal conductivity, a low thermal expansion coefficient, and high maximum current density, giving it excellent electrical conductivity compared to silicon. SiC MOSFETs can withstand voltage thresholds up to almost 10kV, compared with 900V for the silicon variants, and their low switching losses and high operating frequencies offer superior efficiencies, ideal for power applications requiring high current, high temperatures, and high thermal conductivity.
Riding the EV charging wave
As an OEM, several decisions must be made when targeting the EV charging market, including the required output power of the charger and its cost, efficiency, reliability, and mode of operation. An ever-increasing range of SiC power switches must be evaluated against the requirements of the application and the designer must select the best topology for the application. The topology dictates the number of switches which, as well as the chosen semiconductor technology, drive the solution cost. While low-cost solutions can be based on a single LLC converter topology populated with silicon IGBTs, these configurations can be less reliable than multi-level topologies. In high power, fast charging systems, the reliability and efficiency of the DC/DC converter is key and SiC MOSFETs, with their higher switching frequencies and withstand voltages, are more suitable for these higher price-point solutions.
With pressure on development cycles increasing, the developer does not have the luxury of time when weighing the above factors and must rapidly make the best decisions for the optimal solution design. But poor decisions in the design phase can have severe consequences later in the design cycle — so, how can you be confident that your design choices are fully informed?
Maximising your EV charging opportunities with Avnet Silica
With a market-leading team of power engineers, FAEs, and an extensive product portfolio, Avnet Silica are the perfect partner to navigate you through the EV charging market. With the support of many of the world’s leading suppliers to the automotive industry, we offer you unparalleled insight into the latest product roadmaps and technology trends shaping the EV charging market. We’re here to support you throughout the product lifecycle.
From components, modules, and gateways to design services such as hardware, firmware and software development, and reference designs — plus Cloud services and eUICC connectivity — we ensure your solution design is optimised.
Whether you’re manufacturing wall-boxes, or you need high power fast charging options with communications and security built-in, Avnet Silica has the capabilities to help you develop charging technology solutions at any scale for local authorities, power companies, governments, commercial space owners, and home solutions businesses.
Together we’ll build the best combination of development team, products, and supplier to guarantee the market success of your solution.
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