Welcome to Design Considerations for Robust and Reliable Power Semiconductor Modules
Description:
In this course, the continuously growing importance of power electronics and the need for long and reliable power semiconductor devices will be addressed. First, an introduction to the most widely used power semiconductor devices will be given with a short introduction to its operation principle. Then, the role of the parasitic elements and thermal stresses in real applications, without forgetting about abnormal operations such as short-circuit will be addressed. With the target of accelerating the transition towards long-term lifetime of power electronic systems, four golden rules for reliable power module design will be proposed, which includes reliable operation under both normal and abnormal conditions.
On the second day, an overview of the most common failure mechanisms in silicon IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs will be presented. The prediction of such failure modes is complex since they can be triggered due to many parameters, such as temperature, voltage variation, inductive and capacitance effects, unbalanced current distribution and also EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference). Examples of instabilities will be given and the PhD student will become familiar with the failures that one can find in the field. The student will learn through a software tool, such as PSpice, how to model abnormal operations aiming at increasing the device robustness.
The course is organized in two consecutive days of full-time activities, covering the following:
Day 1
Lecture 1: Introduction, overview of new developments in SiC MOSFETs and Si IGBTs (Iannuzzo).
Lecture 2: Importance of parasitic elements in real applications considering thermal aspects (Bahman).
Day 2
Lecture 3: The four golden rules for reliable power application design including abnormal operation (Iannuzzo).
Lecture 4: Introduction to the most common failure mechanisms in silicon IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs (Iannuzzo).
Criteria for assessment: the PhD student must simulate with PSpice a simple semiconductor power module including chips in parallel and inductive elements under both normal and abnormal operations. The exercise can be done in group of 2-3 members. Assessment is on individual basis, with oral Q&A session.
Prerequisites: basic knowledge of circuit theory and device semiconductor behavior.
Organizer: Prof. Francesco Iannuzzo, fia@et.aau.dk , Aalborg University
Lecturers: Prof. Francesco Iannuzzo, Assist. Prof. Amir Sajjad Bahman, AAU
ECTS: 2
Time: 3 – 4 December 2020, all days 8:30 – 16:30
Place: Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstræde 101
Zip code: 9220
City: Aalborg East
Number of seats: 30
Deadline: 12 November 2020
Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 5,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.
- Teacher: Amir Sajjad Bahman
- Teacher: Francesco Iannuzzo