Ultra-Lightweight, High Efficiency SiC Based Power Electronic Converters for Extreme Environments

Abstract

Silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductor devices are quickly becoming more prevalent and apparent. Clock have numerous potential advantages over their conventional speeds of microprocessors are increasing, approaching the silicon counterparts (i.e., higher switching frequencies, switching speed limitations of silicon-based devices; lower switching losses, higher temperature of operation, transistors are shrinking in size, resulting in higher power higher blocking voltages, higher thermal conductivity, densities and increased packaging and heat-sinking radiation hardness, etc.). These advantages have sparked complexities; and high performance consumers (e.g., the the birth of a new generation of power converters, U.S. military, NASA, etc.) are demanding higher efficiency distinguishing themselves from their ancestors with a higher electronics coupled with extreme environment operation. efficiency and operating frequency, resulting in a marked increase in power density and a considerable reduction in thelatre perfor er gai ade osie bynSicshiweight. This paper explores the feasibility of developing a temperatreh -pe capbiitie offe economical highy eficiet, ltralighweigt SC baed D/DC large performance benefits to the aircraft, automotive, highly efficient, ultra-lightweh SC b d D C communications, power, and spacecraft industries. The converter, including the electrical design philosophy, high-tremendous advantages of SiC electronics in these specific temperature packaging approaches, high-temperature testing of several key components, and the overall high-temperature package design. This technology will have important The Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI, implications in many weight-sensitive applications such as Inc.) team of researchers specialize in the development of aircrafts, satellite and NASA space exploration program. In silicon and silicon-carbide power electronics for harsh addition, this technology will be highly beneficial for environment applications, DC-DC converters for NASAelectronics that must operate in a high-temperature

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