Workshop: GaN/SiC Transistors– Fight or Flight?

Getting EMC ready for the next generation of power electronics devices!

Brought to you by Lyra Electronics & Mach One Design 

Due to their compact size, rapid speed, and improved thermal efficiency, the integration of Wide Band Gap (WBG) devices such as SiC and GaN transistors into the consumer market followed a series of applications in military and other commercial sectors. These technologies have been employed in everything from electric vehicles to radar systems.

WBG devices have introduced significantly improved product form factors compared to their silicon counterparts. However, with the benefits of new technology come challenges. The most notable advantage of WBG devices (such as superfast switching at 100V/ns) also presents an EMI control challenge.

In the face of EMC test failures, many engineers have opted to replace WBG devices with silicon MOSFETs to pass EMC tests, often driven by the critical time-to-market factor. However, this approach undermines the goal of creating higher-efficiency products. Confronted with escalating EMI difficulties, many engineers choose to take a "flight" approach rather than "fight," driven by time and cost pressures.

In some cases, engineers have chosen silicon MOSFETs based on trade-off calculations in the design process. For instance, if using a WBG device necessitates an additional filter to pass EMC, this may not be optimal due to the added cost and weight of the filter. However, in scenarios where product design takes EMC into account from the start, a WBG device is believed to be the preferable option. This supports efforts to achieve the best possible product form factor, resulting in enhanced performance and reduced cost. This trend is already evident in the laptop and mobile phone charger market, where GaN chargers are becoming dominant.

This workshop provides valuable insights and guidelines on effectively designing and testing products and systems utilizing WBG devices to optimize product performance and attain EMC compliance.

The two-hour workshop is structured as follows:

1. Introducing the Challenges Faced by Design Engineers when using WBG Devices

2. Demystifying EMC: Understanding Grounding and Coupling Mechanisms in Power Electronics Systems

3. Effective EMC Testing: Benching & Laboratory Approaches

4. Design Strategies for Ensuring First-Time EMC Compliance

5. Question and Answer Session