Performance Improvement Strategies for Discrete Wide Bandgap Devices: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Wide bandgap (WBG) devices are becoming increasingly popular due to their excellent material properties. WBG devices are commercially available in discrete and module packages. Many studies have investigated the design, structure and benefits of module packages. However, a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the discrete package is lacking. Discrete package has the advantages of flexibility, scalability and reduced cost; however, challenges of severe switching oscillations and limited current capacity are associated with it. This review encompasses the switching oscillations and limited current capacity issues of discrete devices. Switching oscillations are categorized in terms of voltage. The underlying oscillation mechanisms are explored in detail. For the current imbalance, the types, root causes and adverse effects in parallel-connected discrete devices application are reviewed. Besides, the most recent techniques to extract stray parameters are also explored. Finally, state-of-the-art methods to mitigate the switching oscillations and the current imbalance are summarized and evaluated. The performance improvement strategies discussed in this paper can assist researchers to better use the discrete package and can stimulate them to come up with new solutions.

Unit Partition Resonance Analysis Strategy for Impedance Network in Modular Power Converters

“…Among different stressors impacting the dc-link capacitor, current harmonics is a leading cause (Jedtberg et al, 2017). The stray inductance of the busbar may resonate with the dc-link capacitor, producing current harmonics and overheating issues in the capacitor (Zhang et al, 2015;Alizadeh et al, 2018;Callegaro et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2020;Niu et al, 2021;Tahir et al, 2021;Zhao et al, 2021). For dc-link of high power modular converters, non-laminated busbar is attractive owing to its large current capacity, ease of manufacturing and low cost (Liang et al, 2021); however, the adverse effects may get even worse due to its large stray inductance (Callegaro et al, 2018;Li et al, 2018;Alizadeh and Alan Mantooth, 2021).…”