Modular design

Power module

Operating system

Voltage

Computer science

Converters

Quantum mechanics

Engineering

Power (physics)

Power MOSFET

Pulse-width modulation

Power electronics

Silicon carbide

Power semiconductor device

High voltage

Metallurgy

Materials science

Electronic engineering

H bridge

Electrical engineering

Physics

Transistor

MOSFET

IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics

While 10-kV silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are gradually penetrating medium-voltage (MV) applications, intertwined challenges concerning high-voltage insulation, high dv/dt, protections, and thermal management are simultaneously imposed to MV converters. For the modular multilevel converter, a systematical power cell design and assessment methodology (DAM) to tackle the unprecedented challenge synergy is essential and, yet, absent. Thereby, this article aims to develop a DAM based on a high-current 10-kV SiC MOSFET half-bridge module. An overall introduction of the power cell and a hierarchical DAM workflow is first presented, followed by the comprehensive component-level DAM with details on design challenges, solutions, assessment instruments, procedures, and test results. Subsequently, the DAM is expanded to the power cell level by exploring its safe operating area associated with switching frequency, power-processing capability, and temperature limit in various operation modes, which, in turn, validates the...

Power Cell Design and Assessment Methodology Based on a High-Current 10-kV SiC MOSFET Half-Bridge Module