STMicroelectronics meets diverse market needs

Recently, a new automotive quality silicon carbide (SiC) diode has been introduced across multiple electronic applications, a global leader in semiconductors, and power chip maker STMicroelectronics (ST; New York Stock Exchange: STM). It meets the demanding requirements for new energy vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs, Plug-in Hybrids) to handle high power in limited space in on-board battery chargers (OBCs).

These diodes allow designers to develop smaller power modules that not only benefit the automotive power system, but also make it a key choice to overcome the challenge of miniaturization of inverters proposed by Google and IEEE. Google's contribution of up to $1 million in prize money is less than one-tenth that of existing inverters, and is suitable for a variety of applications, especially solar micro-generator (solarmicro-generator) kilowatt-level inverter design; Semiconductor is a partner in this open challenge.

The new diode uses advanced technology to prevent high-current spikes from burning out the device. For safety reasons, designers are still using diodes. The new product developed by STMicroelectronics has completely changed this situation. The over-current protection value is 2.5 times the rated current value, so designers can choose to use smaller, more economical, and less current that will not affect reliability and energy efficiency. Diodes.

ST's new SiC diodes have been tested with automotive-grade products. The polarity reverse breakdown voltage has been increased to 650V to meet the requirements of designers and automotive manufacturers who wish to reduce the voltage-derating factor to ensure the on-board charging of semiconductor components. There is a sufficient safety margin between the nominal voltage and the peak voltage.

Silicon carbide as a wide band gap (WBG, WideBand-Gap) technology, has a well-known energy efficiency advantages; compared with the size of the components themselves, comparing the switching loss and voltage rating parameters, the new products are superior to traditional Silicon diodes. The 650V diodes introduced this time include 10ASTPSC10H065DY in TO-220AC power package and 12ASTPSC12H065DY in TO-220AC package. In addition, the STPSC20H065CTY in the TO-220AB package and the STPSC20H065CWY in the TO-247 package are dual-diode products with two 10A diodes to maximize space efficiency and reduce the weight of the car charger.