Hybrid discrete enables performance boost for fast-switching OBC applications

Infineon Technologies AG has released the 650V CoolSiC Hybrid Discrete for Automotive. The device comprises a 50A TRENCHSTOP 5 fast-switching IGBT and a CoolSiC Schottky diode to facilitate a cost-efficient performance boost and high reliability. This combination creates a complete cost-performance trade-off for hard-switching topologies and supports high system integrity as well as bi-directional charging. This makes the device excellent for fast switching automotive applications such as OBC, PFC, DC-DC and DC/AC converters.

The integrated fast-switching 50A IGBT allows MOSFET-like turn-off behaviour outperforming pure silicon solutions. In contrast to conventional silicon carbide MOSFETs, the plug-and-play solution for a fast time-to-market obtains 95% to 97% system efficiency at a lower cost level. Moreover, the CoolSiC Schottky diode supports lowered turn-on and recovery losses. Compared to pure silicon designs, the device is excellent for hard commutation with 30% lower losses. With its low cooling demands, the diode also offers an excellent cost-performance trade-off on the system level.

Shenzhen VMAXPower Co. Ltd focusses on the development of automotive power electronics and giving customers highly reliable OBCs and DC-DC converters. VMAX uses Infineon’s latest CoolSiC Hybrid Discrete in their next-generation OBC/DC-DC system.

“The partnership we have with Infineon is an essential cornerstone of our philosophy of consistently creating maximum value for our customers,” said Xu Jinzhu, R&D director of VMAX. “The CoolSiC Hybrid Discrete allows us to simplify driver design, accelerate product development, lower costs and increase system robustness. The integrated silicon carbide diodes without reverse recovery charge further optimise the EMC characteristics of the system. This results in greater performance benefits and a better price/performance ratio in topologies such as totem-pole PFC and DAB.”

“We are very happy about this close partnership and the great collaboration with VMAX. This project further highlights our strong position in the on-board charger application”, said Jürgen Spänkuch, vice president for Automotive High Power Discretes and Chips at Infineon.