EMC Implications of Implementing WBG Devices in Battery Charger Modules for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

GaN and SiC semiconductor devices have the potential of drastic downsizing of power converters in applications where size is strictly limited like in electromobility. In electric powertrains, on-board chargers need to operate in a wide voltage and power range limited by the battery and its conditions. In this context, both size and voltage-power range can be achieved through the effective utilization of GaN and SiC devices. Nevertheless, although GaN and SiC devices offer outstanding features in fast transitions, low on-resistances, and the ability to switch faster, these characteristics can generate much higher EM emissions that can affect the charger operation. Consequently, additional circuitry is required to mitigate such emissions although it can jeopardize the ultimate goal of compactness.In this paper, trasients, ringing, harmonic content, and conducted emissions in both GaN and SiC Devices and use of magnetic components is analyzed. Such analysis is conducted with experimental tests under real conditions of battery charging for Electric Vehicles.

The GaN Breakthrough for Sustainable and Cost-Effective Mobility Electrification and Digitalization

“…Once again, electromagnetic compatibility issues due to the use of GaN devices in OBCs must be also carefully considered. In fact, the good features of GaN in terms of low on-resistance and fast switching are paid in terms of higher emissions that could ask for additional circuitry to mitigate them, which can jeopardize the high-power density target [39].…”

Accurate Modeling of CCS Combo Type 1 Cable and Its Communication Performance Analysis for High-Speed EV-EVSE Charging System

“…To protect users from these risks, most charging devices use a communication and control line in addition to the power line to monitor the charging status in real time [14,15]. Despite these efforts, there have been reported instances of the intermittent termination of communication sequences and occasional errors in these charging systems [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. While the exact causes of these phenomena are likely diverse, the authors have identified electromagnetic interference (EMI) as a significant contributing factor, arguing that a thorough analysis of the degradation of communication performance due to EMI coupling is necessary.…”