Robust control electronics for power semiconductors

High performance inverters need robust control electronics. The interface between the power semiconductors and the customer’s control electronic is the gate driver. Therefore, the quality of a power electronic system is strongly defined by the interaction between the components of the overall system. To achieve the required level, the gate driver must be able to switch safely and reliably and must provide full protection for every state of operation, for itself as well as for the given application.

New chip generations allow very fast switching but over-voltages have to be managed. Future chip designs will come along with other characteristics like reduced short circuit capability, in order to increase the performance even more. The error detection and management on the driver side thus needs to be faster and more accurate.

Combining the gain in chip performance with new packaging technologies like the SKIN layer allows IGBT modules with very high power density. In order not to lose these advantages in the converter system, the noise robustness of the driver electronics must achieve the highest levels.

Semikron Danfoss’ drivers were designed with these aspects in mind and offer an optimized feature and performance set to ensure safe gate control even for highly performing IGBT chips. The SKYPER drivers are available as driver cores and Plug-and-Play drivers for half-bridge and multilevel applications. The SKYPER platform driver is for up to 1700V IGBT modules and operates under harsh application conditions, including 1500V DC-link and ambient temperatures to 105°C. Adaptor boards and application samples are available for most standard power module packages, allowing fast, easy testing and commissioning.

SKYPER^® Key Features

• Two IGBT driver channels
• For IGBT modules up to 1700V
• Up to 4.2W & 35Apk output per channel
• Suitable for 1500VDC operating voltage
• 100% isolation test of signal and power transformers
• High safety isolation capability
• Selectable multilevel error logic
• Selectable minimum dead time
• Selectable filter time and failure management
• Customized Plug-and-Play drivers available
• Wide adapter board portfolio available on request
   

Generic adaptor boards using the proven SKYPER driver cores provide easy-to-use R&D platforms for innovative SiC technology-based applications. In conjunction with available adaptor boards, SKYPER drivers also adapt to SiC MOSFET technology.

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