Next generation MOSFET technology takes on the challenges of the automotive sector

Next generation MOSFET technology takes on the challenges of the automotive sector

Today the average vehicle will have in the region of 60-70 (electronic control units) ECUs and high-end luxury models can easily possess 150 or more. The increased quantity of electronics content has, in itself, a variety of serious implications for engineering teams, while external forces are also influencing certain key aspects of automobile design.

International legislative guidelines mean that car manufacturers need to lessen the impact that their models have on the environment - with increasingly ambitious targets being set in relation to fuel economy.

Likewise, the continued growth of the electric vehicle/hybrid electric vehicle (EV/HEV) segment brings considerable engineering challenges. To increase consumer appeal, improvements need to be made both to the distance that EVs can travel and also the speed with which they can be recharged. Reducing the overall weight of cars is of mounting importance to combustion engine and EV based designs in equal measures. In both cases it is resulting in system downsizing that is consequently demanding elevated power densities.

Through innovations being made in semiconductor processes and the accompanying packaging technology, there are more advanced MOSFET devices now being brought on to the market. By utilising copper clips for internal bonding, significant improvements can be made to MOSFET electrical and thermal properties. It means that they can support elevated power densities and, in addition, exhibit enhanced heat dissipation capabilities. Combining this with the benefits of the latest trench topologies, results in marked improvements in performance - bringing greater operational efficiencies. These power discretes are thereby able to outclass existing alternatives and fully address the exacting demands being placed upon them by the automobile industry.

A comprehensive white paper covering the issues effecting automobile power system design, and the new breed of MOSFETs that will attend to these, has been published by Toshiba. For more information visit:

Download the Whitepaper

EV switching – photorelays deliver convenience and reliability
No risk of contact welding or wear out of device
Packaging & Configuration Advances Help Augment SiC Device Operation
Though the attributes that make silicon carbide (SiC) have undoubted value to the future of power system design, it is not just about what goes on within the semiconductor substrate itself.
Integration of SBDs into SiC MOSFET Devices
Whether they are silicon-based or use silicon carbide (SiC) technology, MOSFETs will experience switching losses that are caused by their body diodes.
Exploring SiC MOSFET Figure of Merit (FoM)
The on-resistance (RDS(ON)) of a MOSFET is an intrinsic property that causes static power losses and depends upon the inner structure of the MOSFET.
Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability with Wide VGSS and High Vth Ratings
The voltage applied between the gate and source of a MOSFET during operation is denoted ‘VGS’ and the highest possible value of VGS that can be applied without damage is VGSS. This is important as it simplifies design of the control circuit.
The Switching Benefits Derived from Using SiC
Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are able to deliver much more impressive switching characteristics than their silicon-based equivalents.
Taking a New Approach to Understanding SiC
Over recent years, there has been a lot of talk throughout the power electronics industry about the exciting performance attributes offered by silicon carbide (SiC). Though there is plenty of information available on this subject, finding a way of translating it into what this actually means for engineers’ designs has still proved difficult. Consequently, many engineers are still reluctant to migrate from the conventional silicon (Si) technology that they are already very familiar with. Unfortunately that means that they are missing out.
Photorelays are the best choice for EV BMS applications
Smaller size, greater reliability and no risk of contact shorting
Factory automation needs better Ethernet
The factory automation sector has seen massive changes due to rapid digitalization and increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, technologies that require the exchange of significant amounts of real-time data.
Time sensitive networking for automotive applications
Modern automobiles have been called ‘computers on wheels’, reflecting just how technology-laden they have become.
Will 10Gbps alone be enough to support automotive data transfer requirements? - Exploring a new architectural approach
A key focus within the automotive sector is implementation of more effective in-vehicle networking infrastructure with elevated data rates being needed.
Photorelays support mechanical relays in EV BMS applications
Supporting mechanical relays – reduce risk of contact stick and weld together
Integration of Superior SoC Solutions into Zonal Automotive Networks
The conventional networking arrangement used in vehicles has been for the constituent electronic control units (ECUs) to be assigned specific individual functions.
Photorelays support mechanical relays in EV BMS applications
Mechanical relays are often a good choice for EV applications as they are able to deal with the high voltages that are found in many use cases. However, one significant concern is if the contacts weld themselves together, risking a permanently ‘on’ condition that could clearly be extremely dangerous.
Why continue to use brushed DC motors?
At a first glance it seems reasonable to want to replace brushed motors with brushless DC (BLDC) motors that offer greater performance and extend battery life
Innovative bi-directional EV charging
There is significant effort being made to develop next-generation charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles (EVs).
Implementing More Effective In-Vehicle Network Infrastructure
For decades automotive networking was dependent on protocols like CAN and LIN. Unprecedented demand for elevated data rates has led to the widespread adoption by automobile manufacturers of Ethernet interconnection technology. This offers orders of magnitude increases in the bandwidth that can be supported. It is not just a matter of raising speeds though. Other aspects now need to be addressed.
Flexible integration is key for brushed DC motors
Brushed DC motors have many vital roles to play in modern vehicles. In fact, the 6.5% CAGR predicted by Data Bridge Market Research for these devices will be predominantly driven by automotive applications.
New bidirectional 3-phase PFC reference design speeds up the development of EV charging solutions
With hundreds of millions of electric vehicles (EVs) being deployed in the next two decades, providing a comprehensive charging infrastructure is critical. Equally critical is the efficiency of these charging points.
Game-Changing SiC-Based Reference Design for EV Charging
Electric vehicles (EVs) are now a major focus for power electronics endeavour, with a large proportion of engineers involved in finding ways to improve their performance and extend their range.
Enhancing Automobile Audio Networks via Ethernet-AVB
Automotive Ethernet has the capacity needed to support data transfer rates that are orders of magnitude higher than legacy CAN/LIN-based in-vehicle networking protocols.
A More Effective Integration Strategy within Automotive Brushed DC Motor Systems
Brushed DC motors have a vital role to play in modern automobile design, being used in relation to a broad range of different functions.
Accelerating EV Charging System Development: New PFC Reference Design Proves Invaluable Tool
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads is set to increase dramatically in the years ahead, with 323 million of them being in use by 2040 (according to a study compiled by analyst firm Wood Mackenzie).
Migration to Automotive Ethernet and the Opportunity to Enhance In-Vehicle Audio
While in the past there have been a variety of different data transport technologies that cars have relied upon, there is growing impetus for in-vehicle network infrastructure to be consolidated
Streamlining DC Motor Implementation and Elevating Efficiency Levels in 10A-Rated Automotive Applications
Though the pervasiveness of brushless DC (BLDC) motors is increasing all the time within a wide variety of different sectors, in an automobile context the value of brushed motors still remains clear.
Futureproofing vehicles – cameras and displays
Technology is being introduced to vehicles at a pace that has never been seen before and, while the latest vehicles have impressive and extensive features, they run the risk of becoming ‘behind the times’ very rapidly. One area that has changed significantly recently is the provision of fully configurable screens in vehicles. While many vehicles have had a single screen for the satellite navigation and infotainment for some time, it is becoming increasingly common that the instrument cluster is now a fully configurable display. In high-end vehicles there is often a third screen that replaces all (or most) of the buttons, knobs and switches.
Bringing the backing track of motoring into the 21st century
Audio in the vehicle is almost as old the automobile itself. Chrylser offered a Westinghouse radio for their vehicles back in the 1920s but at the time the radio would have been as rare as the car itself, bearing in mind it was priced at about half of the vehicle’s cost.
Can Ethernet help with a weighty automotive challenge?
If the person on the street was asked to list the three heaviest components of a conventional car, it is likely that the engine and chassis will come to mind immediately. In today’s world of electric and hybrid vehicles, chances are that the battery may also be proffered as an option. But it unlikely that they would consider the bundles of wires and connectors to be included on such a top-three list. As anyone involved in the automotive industry knows, not only is the cable loom one of the heaviest parts of a vehicle, it is also one of the three most expensive too.
Displaying automotive’s best side in the vehicle
Climbing into the most recent models of vehicle, the internal surfaces seem to spring to life with color and light. It becomes immediately clear that video cameras and displays are an essential part of the new in-vehicle experience. And we’re not just talking about multimedia here. Navigation systems and deep integration with smartphones is a starting point, but it extends to side mirrors implemented with cameras, or a full 360° view around the vehicle, that go beyond the traditional reverse-parking camera.
A simple solution to the challenges of Automotive Ethernet audio systems
Generic multimedia automotive head units are built around large, capable system-on-chip (SoC) processors. Over time, with the move to CDs and the introduction of DAB+ radio, together with mobile connectivity and smartphones, these systems have grown to be large and complex products. However, located centrally in the dashboard of most vehicles and wired to speakers and microphones around the vehicle, the topology has largely stayed the same. This inevitably limits the room to improve the in-vehicle multimedia experience.
Is Automotive Ethernet the next revolution in in-car audio?
In-car audio has been around for just about as long as the car itself. It was back in the 1920’s that a radio receiver from Westinghouse was offered as an upgrade for Chrysler vehicles. Costing around half the price of the car itself, it was certainly a luxury. Since then, entertainment in the vehicle has developed beyond recognition, essentially turning it into a smartphone on wheels. USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity allow almost any device to be used as an input to the audio system and deliver more music than can be played during an entire journey.
Satisfying Automobile Industry’s Demands for More Effective Motor Control Solutions
The prevalence of electric motors in automotive designs is increasing considerably, as a substantial proportion of modern vehicles’ functionality is migrated away from traditional mechanical implementations towards modern streamlined electronic implementations - in order to reduce weight and thereby improve fuel economy. Among the areas where electric motors are now seeing widespread deployment are in fuel/oil/water pumps, exhaust gas recirculation systems and electric power steering systems.
Why Ethernet Holds the Key to Data Hungry Automotive Infotainment
The role of the car is changing. Until now, it has been a means of getting from A to B in style, safety or speed – depending on the car you select. Increasingly, intelligent infotainment systems are making the car an extension of their owner’s digital lifestyle – keeping them connected to social media and email while on the move as well as facilitating easier, smoother and more efficient journeys by being connected to traffic reports and weather information.
Bridging video interfaces to automotive SoCs with image enhancement capability
Getting into the latest vehicles, especially premium offerings, it is striking to see the number of displays being used. Not only has the center console made way to a large display for general interface needs and infotainment, the dials of the dashboard and even wing mirror functionality are moving to color displays too. Features such as reverse parking, camera-based wing mirrors, and 360° surround vehicle view depend on camera feeds that can handle the wide dynamic range of both daytime and nighttime driving conditions.
What benefits will Automotive Ethernet deliver to vehicle cable harnesses?
The typical cable harness in an average automobile is the third heaviest item as well as being the third most expensive to manufacture. Only the chassis and engine, for internal combustion engine-based vehicles, weigh and cost more. With vehicles moving to hybrid and all-electric drivetrains, weight reduction remains high on the list of required improvements. However, this cannot be achieved with innovation in conductor material weight alone: it requires a fundamental change in the E/E architecture to reduce the number of networking topologies in use.

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