AgileSwitch applies patented SiC switching technique
With support from PowerAmerica, member AgileSwitch has applied a new patented switching technique to provide enhanced control in high-power SiC applications.
The Augmented Turn-Off (ATOff) technique addresses two significant impediments to the successful implementation of SiC modules in high-power applications.
By reducing both turn-off spikes and ringing both under normal operation as well as short-circuit conditions (DSAT), SiC MOSFET modules can be operated in the higher frequencies that enable dramatic increases in power conversion density, according to the company.
"For us, it's about making sure the devices operate as efficiently, reliably and safely as possible. The ultimate goal is to get the most out of these devices, since they are still emerging in the market and relatively expensive compared to non-wide bandgap alternatives - it's important that every bit of performance can be extracted," said AgileSwitch CEO Rob Weber.
The ATOff technology has been incorporated into AgileSwitch's first SiC gate drive assembly, called the EconoDual Electrical Master 3 (EDEM3). The EDEM3 has applications for solar inverters, wind turbine technology, electric vehicles and other clean energy applications.
PowerAmerica funding enabled AgileSwitch to implement its patented technique into EDEM3 evaluation systems and test the capabilities of the drivers and switches - often one of the costliest and time-consuming parts of getting a new product ready for market.
AgileSwitch hopes its ATOff technique will help accelerate the widespread commercial adoption of wide bandgap devices. Already, the company is seeing plenty of interest from various companies, partly due to connections it has made through PowerAmerica.
"PowerAmerica has helped us significantly with introductions to potential customers at the university, government lab and industrial levels. From our involvement, we have a long list of customers that we're now working with," Weber said.
PowerAmerica is a public-private partnership between industry, the US Department of Energy, and academia working to make wide bandgap SiC and GaN technologies cost-competitive with silicon-based power electronics. PowerAmerica brings together wide bandgap semiconductor manufacturers, material providers and end-users together with experts from top research universities and government agencies.
