How To Use S-Parameters For Power Module Verification


By Wilfried Wessel (Siemens EDA), Simon Liebetegger (University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt), and Florian Bauer (Siemens EDA) Power modules are high-power switching circuits that convert DC- in AC-currents in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and many more applications. New materials [14] and device technologies [14], such as wide bandgap semiconductors, including silicon carbide (SiC) ... » read more

Ramping Up Power Electronics For EVs


The rapid acceleration of the power devices used in electric vehicles (EVs) is challenging chipmakers to adequately screen the ICs that power these vehicles.[1] While progress toward autonomous driving is grabbing the public’s attention, the electrification of transportation systems is progressing quietly. For the automotive industry, this shift involves a mix of electronic components. Amo... » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


Global semiconductor sales reached $574 billion in 2022, and U.S. semiconductor companies accounted for sales totaling $275 billion, or 48% of the global market, according to the 2023 Factbook released by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). DRAM and NAND prices likely will continue to fall further this quarter because production cuts have not kept pace with weakening demand, accord... » read more

Using Photonic Band Gap in Triangular SiC Structures for Efficient Quantum Nanophotonic HW


A new technical paper titled "Utilizing photonic band gap in triangular silicon carbide structures for efficient quantum nanophotonic hardware" was published by researchers at UC Davis. Abstract: "Silicon carbide is among the leading quantum information material platforms due to the long spin coherence and single-photon emitting properties of its color center defects. Applications of silico... » read more

Power Semiconductors: A Deep Dive Into Materials, Manufacturing & Business


Whether you’re the owner of the average smartphone, commuting on trains, or driving around in a Tesla, you use power semiconductor devices every day. In a technology-dependent world, these devices are everywhere, and demand for more types of chips using different materials is growing. In the past, most engineers paid little attention to power semiconductors. They were deemed commodity, off... » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


Samsung announced plans to invest $230 billion (300 trillion won) over the next two decades to construct the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturing complex in South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province, reports AP. The complex will consist of five new semiconductor plants producing memory and logic chips. Chips will be the enabling engines, requiring massive investments in new technology, m... » read more

On The Reverse Breakdown Behavior Of GaAs PIN Diodes For High Power Applications


In the field of power electronics, the compound semiconductors gallium nitride and silicon carbide are dominating the market. Due to its beneficial properties, gallium arsenide is gaining more and more importance. The aim is to manufacture devices based on gallium arsenide for use in power electronics with comparable or better properties, but at lower costs. In this work, a first GaAs PIN diode... » read more

Designing And Securing Chips For Outer Space


Design considerations for hardware used in space go far beyond radiation hardening. These devices have to perform flawlessly for years, under extreme temperature variations, and potentially banged up by space junk or other particles floating in the void over its projected lifetime. Reliability in space adds a whole different set of design considerations. For example, while it's unlikely anyo... » read more

High Voltage Testing Races Ahead


Voltage requirements are increasing, especially for the EV market. Even devices that might be considered relatively low voltage, such as display drivers, are now pushing past established baselines. While working with high voltages is nothing new — many engineers can recall yellow caution tape in their workplaces — the sheer number and variety of new requirements have made testing at high... » read more

A Solar Solution For Every Situation


Regardless of where they are used, energy conversion efficiency is paramount in solar power applications (if you are interested in their technical details, here is a blog post for you). Even small improvements reduce energy waste, decrease operating costs, lower spatial and cooling systems requirements, and much more. The semiconductor switches used in energy conversion in photovoltaic (... » read more

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