Wide Bandgap Semiconductor-Based Power Converters for Electric Vehicle Applications

Abstract

Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor materials allow higher power and voltage, faster and more reliable power electronic devices. These characteristics lead to a massive improvement in power converters, especially for electric vehicles (EV) applications. As a result, new opportunities for high efficiency and power density is coming with the development of WBG power semiconductor. This paper introduces the application of WBG devices in power converters of EV. The EV development trend and the related circuit diagram of an EV system have been introduced. Serval typical power converters' topologies have been discussed. Meanwhile, WBG devices also bring challenges to a high voltage and frequency design. High current and voltage levels need a more powerful heating system. A higher switching speed requires lower loop parasitic inductance. This paper discusses how to apply WBG devices in the power converter design and address these challenges. Finally, The reliability test method of power converters has been discussed. The lifetime of all components in a power converter has been tested under different voltage and temperature levels. The failure reasons and influences parameters are analyzed.