Fast-switching Monolithically Integrated High-voltage GaN-on-Si Power Converters

Fast-switching Monolithically Integrated High-voltage GaN-on-Si Power Converters

Author: Beatrix Weiß

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Abstract: The lateral, high-voltage aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN)/GaN-on-silicon (Si) technology allows the design of efficient, fast switching high-voltage transistors due to the excellent physical properties of the wide bandgap material GaN and the high conductivity of the AlGaN/GaN heterojunction. Furthermore, the lateral structure of this technology facilitates the integration of multiple power devices and control logic on a single die without additional complex processing steps compared to single switches. Both attributes together allow the design of switches and integrated circuits (ICs) with high power densities for operation at high switching frequencies, and thus enable the reduction of the overall power converter size. This work investigates and demonstrates the potential of monolithic integration of multiple power switches, fabricated in a AlGaN/GaN-on-Si technology. The associated challenges are examined, and guidelines for further developments are proposed. It is shown that only with monolithic integration and appropriate assembly techniques, the full potential of this high-performance, cost-efficient material compound can be released. Monolithically integrated circuits show outstanding performance for fast switching operation due to low intrinsic parasitics resulting from the compact design. Combined with the development of appropriate assembly techniques, high-frequency, high-power converter operation of GaN-power ICs is enabled. In this work two topologies are integrated and their operation demonstrated: the most widely used intrinsic power electronics topology - a half-bridge - and a more complex diode-clamped multilevel converter topology. Compared to vertical devices, lateral switches possess an additional degree of freedom: the control via the backside contact. The voltage control at this contact is important for keeping high performance of the power switches over a wide operating range. Thus, the influence of high positive and negative voltages across the GaN-buffer on the conductivity of the device is systematically investigated. For the first time, it is demonstrated that the coupling across this substrate contact is the major issue for high-voltage, monolithically integrated circuits, which share a common substrate. Finally, the detailed analysis allows the operation of the two developed GaN-ICs for switching frequencies of up to 5 MHz, at high-voltage levels of up to 400 V, at power levels of u ...


Integrated High-Vin Multi-MHz Converters

Integrated High-Vin Multi-MHz Converters

Author: Jürgen Wittmann

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-09-03

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 3030252574

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This book provides readers with guidelines for designing integrated multi-MHz-switching converters for input voltages/system supplies up to 50V or higher. Coverage includes converter theory, converter architectures, circuit design, efficiency, sizing of passives, technology aspects, etc. The author discusses new circuit designs, new architectures and new switching concepts, including dead-time control and soft-switching techniques that overcome current limitations of these converters. The discussion includes technology related issues and helps readers to choose the right technology for fast-switching converters. This book discusses benefits and drawbacks in terms of integration, size and cost, efficiency and complexity, and enables readers to make trade-offs in design, given different converter parameters. Describes a study for increasing switching frequencies up to 30 MHz at input voltages up to 50V or higher in the scaling of the size of switching converter passives; Analyzes various buck converter implementations and shows that a preference due to higher efficiency depends on the operating point, on the available switch technologies, and on the implementation of the high-side supply generation; Describes an efficiency model based on a four-phase model, which enables separation of loss causes and loss locations.


Monolithic Integration in E-Mode GaN Technology

Monolithic Integration in E-Mode GaN Technology

Author: Maik Peter Kaufmann

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-10-26

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 3031156250

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This book is a comprehensive, all-in-one source on design of monolithic GaN power ICs. It is written in handbook style with systematic guidelines and includes implementation examples. It covers the full range from technology fundamentals to implementation details including design techniques specific for GaN technology. It provides a detailed loss analysis based on comparative measurements between silicon and GaN based converters to provide an understanding of the relations between design choices and results which can be transferred to other power converter systems.


GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion

GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion

Author: Alex Lidow

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2019-08-12

Total Pages: 518

ISBN-13: 1119594421

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An up-to-date, practical guide on upgrading from silicon to GaN, and how to use GaN transistors in power conversion systems design This updated, third edition of a popular book on GaN transistors for efficient power conversion has been substantially expanded to keep students and practicing power conversion engineers ahead of the learning curve in GaN technology advancements. Acknowledging that GaN transistors are not one-to-one replacements for the current MOSFET technology, this book serves as a practical guide for understanding basic GaN transistor construction, characteristics, and applications. Included are discussions on the fundamental physics of these power semiconductors, layout, and other circuit design considerations, as well as specific application examples demonstrating design techniques when employing GaN devices. GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion, 3rd Edition brings key updates to the chapters of Driving GaN Transistors; Modeling, Simulation, and Measurement of GaN Transistors; DC-DC Power Conversion; Envelope Tracking; and Highly Resonant Wireless Energy Transfer. It also offers new chapters on Thermal Management, Multilevel Converters, and Lidar, and revises many others throughout. Written by leaders in the power semiconductor field and industry pioneers in GaN power transistor technology and applications Updated with 35% new material, including three new chapters on Thermal Management, Multilevel Converters, Wireless Power, and Lidar Features practical guidance on formulating specific circuit designs when constructing power conversion systems using GaN transistors A valuable resource for professional engineers, systems designers, and electrical engineering students who need to fully understand the state-of-the-art GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion, 3rd Edition is an essential learning tool and reference guide that enables power conversion engineers to design energy-efficient, smaller, and more cost-effective products using GaN transistors.


Power GaN Devices

Power GaN Devices

Author: Matteo Meneghini

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-09-08

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 3319431994

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This book presents the first comprehensive overview of the properties and fabrication methods of GaN-based power transistors, with contributions from the most active research groups in the field. It describes how gallium nitride has emerged as an excellent material for the fabrication of power transistors; thanks to the high energy gap, high breakdown field, and saturation velocity of GaN, these devices can reach breakdown voltages beyond the kV range, and very high switching frequencies, thus being suitable for application in power conversion systems. Based on GaN, switching-mode power converters with efficiency in excess of 99 % have been already demonstrated, thus clearing the way for massive adoption of GaN transistors in the power conversion market. This is expected to have important advantages at both the environmental and economic level, since power conversion losses account for 10 % of global electricity consumption. The first part of the book describes the properties and advantages of gallium nitride compared to conventional semiconductor materials. The second part of the book describes the techniques used for device fabrication, and the methods for GaN-on-Silicon mass production. Specific attention is paid to the three most advanced device structures: lateral transistors, vertical power devices, and nanowire-based HEMTs. Other relevant topics covered by the book are the strategies for normally-off operation, and the problems related to device reliability. The last chapter reviews the switching characteristics of GaN HEMTs based on a systems level approach. This book is a unique reference for people working in the materials, device and power electronics fields; it provides interdisciplinary information on material growth, device fabrication, reliability issues and circuit-level switching investigation.


GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion

GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion

Author: Alex Lidow

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2019-09-30

Total Pages: 389

ISBN-13: 1119594146

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An up-to-date, practical guide on upgrading from silicon to GaN, and how to use GaN transistors in power conversion systems design This updated, third edition of a popular book on GaN transistors for efficient power conversion has been substantially expanded to keep students and practicing power conversion engineers ahead of the learning curve in GaN technology advancements. Acknowledging that GaN transistors are not one-to-one replacements for the current MOSFET technology, this book serves as a practical guide for understanding basic GaN transistor construction, characteristics, and applications. Included are discussions on the fundamental physics of these power semiconductors, layout, and other circuit design considerations, as well as specific application examples demonstrating design techniques when employing GaN devices. GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion, 3rd Edition brings key updates to the chapters of Driving GaN Transistors; Modeling, Simulation, and Measurement of GaN Transistors; DC-DC Power Conversion; Envelope Tracking; and Highly Resonant Wireless Energy Transfer. It also offers new chapters on Thermal Management, Multilevel Converters, and Lidar, and revises many others throughout. Written by leaders in the power semiconductor field and industry pioneers in GaN power transistor technology and applications Updated with 35% new material, including three new chapters on Thermal Management, Multilevel Converters, Wireless Power, and Lidar Features practical guidance on formulating specific circuit designs when constructing power conversion systems using GaN transistors A valuable resource for professional engineers, systems designers, and electrical engineering students who need to fully understand the state-of-the-art GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion, 3rd Edition is an essential learning tool and reference guide that enables power conversion engineers to design energy-efficient, smaller, and more cost-effective products using GaN transistors.


Highly Integrated Gate Drivers for Si and GaN Power Transistors

Highly Integrated Gate Drivers for Si and GaN Power Transistors

Author: Achim Seidel

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-03-31

Total Pages: 137

ISBN-13: 3030689409

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This book explores integrated gate drivers with emphasis on new gallium nitride (GaN) power transistors, which offer fast switching along with minimum switching losses. It serves as a comprehensive, all-in-one source for gate driver IC design, written in handbook style with systematic guidelines. The authors cover the full range from fundamentals to implementation details including topics like power stages, various kinds of gate drivers (resonant, non-resonant, current-source, voltage-source), gate drive schemes, driver supply, gate loop, gate driver power efficiency and comparison silicon versus GaN transistors. Solutions are presented on the system and circuit level for highly integrated gate drivers. Coverage includes miniaturization by higher integration of subfunctions onto the IC (buffer capacitors), as well as more efficient switching by a multi-level approach, which also improves robustness in case of extremely fast switching transitions. The discussion also includes a concept for robust operation in the highly relevant case that the gate driver is placed in distance to the power transistor. All results are widely applicable to achieve highly compact, energy efficient, and cost-effective power electronics solutions.​


Gallium Nitride-enabled High Frequency and High Efficiency Power Conversion

Gallium Nitride-enabled High Frequency and High Efficiency Power Conversion

Author: Gaudenzio Meneghesso

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-05-12

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 331977994X

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This book demonstrates to readers why Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors have a superior performance as compared to the already mature Silicon technology. The new GaN-based transistors here described enable both high frequency and high efficiency power conversion, leading to smaller and more efficient power systems. Coverage includes i) GaN substrates and device physics; ii) innovative GaN -transistors structure (lateral and vertical); iii) reliability and robustness of GaN-power transistors; iv) impact of parasitic on GaN based power conversion, v) new power converter architectures and vi) GaN in switched mode power conversion. Provides single-source reference to Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based technologies, from the material level to circuit level, both for power conversions architectures and switched mode power amplifiers; Demonstrates how GaN is a superior technology for switching devices, enabling both high frequency, high efficiency and lower cost power conversion; Enables design of smaller, cheaper and more efficient power supplies.