IGBTs achieve leading low loss characteristics with high short-circuit tolerance

Contributes to higher efficiency in automotive electric compressors and inverters for industrial equipment

ROHM has developed automotive-grade AEC-Q101 qualified 4th Generation 1200V IGBTs that combine class-leading low loss characteristics with high short-circuit resistance. This makes the devices perfect for vehicle electric compressors, HV heaters, and industrial inverters. The current lineup includes four models - RGA80TRX2HR, RGA80TRX2EHR, RGA80TSX2HR, and RGA80TSX2EHR – in two discrete package types (TO-247-4L and TO-247N), along with 11 bare chip variants – SG84xxWN – with plans to expand the lineup in the future further.

The increasing use of higher voltages in automotive systems and industrial equipment has led to a growing demand for power devices able to handle high voltages in applications such as vehicle electric compressors, HV heaters, and inverters for industrial equipment. At the same time, there is a strong push for high-efficiency power devices to improve energy conservation, simplified cooling mechanisms, and smaller form factors for a decarbonised society. Automotive electrical components must also comply with automotive reliability standards, while power devices for inverter and heater circuits are needed to supply current interruption capabilities during short circuits, necessitating high short-circuit tolerance.

In response, the company redesigned the device structure and adopted an appropriate package to develop new 4th Generation IGBTs suited for high voltage by delivering industry-low loss characteristics with superior short-circuit tolerance. These devices attain an industry-leading short-circuit withstand time of 10µs (Tj=25C) with low switching and conduction losses while maintaining a high withstand voltage of 1200V and meeting automotive standards by reviewing the device structure, including the peripheral design. At the same time, the new TO-247-4L package products, which feature four terminals, can accommodate an effective voltage of 1100V in a ‘Pollution Degree 2 environment’ by providing adequate creepage distance between pins. This allows support for higher voltage applications than conventional products.

Implementing creepage distance measures on the device side eases the design burden for manufacturers. On top of that, the TO-247-4L package enables high-speed switching by including a Kelvin emitter terminal, resulting in even lower losses. When comparing the efficiency of the new TO-247-4L packages with conventional and standard products in a three-phase inverter, the loss is decreased by about 24% compared to standard products and by 35% over traditional products – contributing to higher efficiency in drive applications.