Automotive Power Semiconductor Devices

Abstract

Power electronics plays an increasingly important role in improving vehicle performance, fuel economy, emission, safety, and comfort. Power semiconductor devices are widely used in automotive power electronic systems, and often dictate the efficiency, cost, and size of these systems. Active power semiconductor switches such as MOSFETs and IGBTs serve as load drivers for motors (ranging from 75 kW AC traction motors to 1W DC motors), solenoids, ignition coils, relays, heaters, lamps, and other automotive loads. Diodes are used in automotive systems to rectify AC current generated by the alternator, provide freewheeling current path for IGBTs or MOSFETs in DC/AC inverters and DC/DC converters, and suppress voltage transients. An average vehicle nowadays has over 50 actuators, which are often controlled by power MOSFETs or other power semiconductor devices. It was estimated that the power semiconductor content was around $100 to $200 in a mid-range conventional passenger vehicle in 2000. The power semiconductor contents may increase by three-to fivefold in an electric or hybrid vehicle.

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Handbook of Automotive Power Electronics and Motor Drives

Number of Pages

117-158

Document Type

Article; Book Chapter

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420028157

Socpus ID

84973927262 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84973927262

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