Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1490195
Apex 2022 17 HIGH RELIABILITY WITH SiC HelenAnn Brown, Technical Marketing Manager at Apex Microtechnology As high reliability becomes more pertinent in power electronics design, many are switching from silicon to silicon carbide (SiC) transistors. Apex Microtechnology offers several unique SiC solutions to help their customers achieve high-reliability analog power electronic designs. At the same time, one of the most prominent trends in the industry is a move toward higher voltages and currents. Unfortunately, this increase in power directly conflicts with achieving high reliability in power electronics, resulting in significant design tradeoffs for engineers. To address this issue, many engineers are turning to silicon carbide (SiC) field-effect transistors (FETs). In this article, I'll discuss what SiC is, how it impacts device reliability, and how Apex Microtechnology is leveraging SiC to offer higher-reliability products to its customers. M ore innovation is occurring in the field of power electronics now than perhaps any other time in history. Emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, solar power, and wind power are driving the power electronics field to new heights and elevated importance. Because of this increased relevance, the need for high reliability in power electronics is greater than ever. ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY IS A MOVE TOWARD HIGHER VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS.