Advances in-design tools for engineers accelerate complex system design

Introduction

The 21^st century has seen a rapid advancement in semiconductor technology, leading to the development of highly complex electronic devices and systems. Engineers today face the challenge of delivering high levels of performance and functionality within increasingly restrictive size and power constraints. Moreover, with a rising global focus on minimizing energy costs and gas emissions, the cost and power requirements of electronic devices will only become more demanding. Therefore, engineers and designers must have an in-depth understanding of the devices and components they are utilizing to build complex systems. 

Currently, a number of manufacturers around the globe offer discrete semiconductor device technologies with features suitable for wide-ranging applications. However, there is a gap between the technical specifications of these devices, their behaviours and operating principles and the knowledge and understanding of the engineers who use them. This know-how is imperative for engineers today to achieve the high-efficiency standards set by consumers. 

Nexperia, a global producer of essential semiconductor devices, recognizes these design challenges, and aims to address them by providing engineers and designers with a greater understanding of their products and solutions. They are doing this by developing a comprehensive library of advanced support tools comprising of improved simulation models, interactive application notes, video resources and handbooks^[1]. Nexperia’s aim is to facilitate engineers while using its products in their designs to achieve a higher level of efficiently, reduced costs and faster time to market.

Precision Electrothermal Models

Compared to integrated circuit (IC) components, board level discrete power devices are typically manufactured with very limited modelling data. These models are simulated using a few device parameters covering only typical temperatures and do not provide an in-depth analysis of the device’s behaviour at extended temperature ranges. When designing more complex systems, engineers are therefore, forced to resort to their experience or estimation to analyse device performance in wider case scenarios. 

Data regarding characteristics like electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is often completely overlooked. This means that critical weaknesses and flaws in electromagnetic interference and compatibility are sometimes only revealed after complete product design and testing. As a result, companies have to do costly and time consuming debugging and redesigning late in the product design cycle.

To solve this issue, Nexperia has released highly comprehensive Electrothermal models for its power MOSFETs^[2,3]. These models were developed in close collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with focus on their application specific requirements regarding modelling data. The models provide engineers with the thermal and electrical interdependency data of all device parameters simulated across a large operating temperature range of -55 °C to 175 °C. 

The electrothermal models also include reverse diode recovery time and better estimations of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance. The EMC modelling of devices is especially important, as EMC performance cannot be tested until a device is fully manufactured. Without simulation data, engineers would have to completely redesign a product if it does not meet the specified EMC criteria. Accurate models representing EMC and reverse diode recovery time allow engineers to build more complex systems, save valuable design time, and lower the risk of re-design costs. 

Nexperia’s advanced electrothermal models allow devices to be simulated under all possible thermal and electrical conditions that will be encountered in their applied use. Consequently, engineers can design products and systems with complete confidence of their end operation.

Quick Learning Videos

Another unique support tool offered by Nexperia is a compilation of “Quick Learning Videos”^[4]. As the name suggests, the videos are created to provide users with quick and easy understanding of the principles behind Nexperia products. The videos are designed in the traditional chalkboard style to make learning more convenient and informal and can be used by professional engineers and amateur designers alike to get a head start in creating new products.

The videos encompass a range of topics from basics like the correct method of interpreting a device datasheet, selecting the right power MOSFET for a specific application as well as more advanced topics such as the design considerations for sub-milliohm MOSFETs, evaluation of switching performances and connecting various devices to the power MOSFETs. The videos feature Nexperia’s own community of engineers and designers who guide the audience on insights regarding its products and best practices of designing and testing.

Although the videos focus on Nexperia’s products, however, they are a valuable resource for anyone hoping to learn about power MOSFET design. They also prove to be an effective tool in introducing Nexperia’s products and solutions to customers worldwide and help them understand which applications they are best suited for.

Interactive Application Notes

Analysing extensive datasheets to work out the operating parameters of a device is familiar for electronics engineers. Nexperia has transformed this previously often tedious activity by introducing interactive application notes. This novel approach allows engineers to use embedded Cloud-based simulations and see the behavior of the company’s Power MOSFETs^[5]. 

Users can open an application note and view a component’s simulation simply by clicking on it. From there, users can open the schematics of the design and play around with different device parameters. The notes are designed to aid in modelling any physical system comprising electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, thermal or pneumatic components. They also provide guidelines on how to employ various power designs and topologies leading to design optimization, faster prototyping and a greater degree of design validation before moving on to the manufacturing stage. 

Engineer’s Handbook

Perhaps the largest and most comprehensive resource provided by Nexperia is its Engineer’s handbook ^[6]. It is designed to provide up-to-date information to professional engineers using a collection of technical data and application notes. The handbook is a “go to” resource for engineers tasked with integrating MOSFETs and GaN FETs into real-world systems, already appearing on the workstations of tens of thousands of engineers, and rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by readers.

Through the handbook, Nexperia shares the expertise and knowledge gathered by its engineers through decades of assisting customers in building their applications through the initial stages of prototyping all the way to end production. The handbook investigates issues and challenges an engineer typically faces when dealing with complex designs using MOSFETs and Power GaN FETs. Coming from the perspective of veteran engineers who have had hands-on experience with these devices, the book serves as a guide that is more helpful than any publication written from a purely theoretical or academic point of view.

The MOSFET and GaN FET Engineers’ Handbook features in a library of Design Engineers’ Guides from Nexperia, with additional editions for ESD Protection, Diodes, and Logic products.

Design Acceleration with Nexperia

Nexperia’s advanced support tools tackle a crucial problem in modern electronic design i.e. the increasing compromise between design complexity, efficiency, cost and time. Engineers are expected to produce highly complex systems with dozens of interdependent parameters and deliver the complete design within ever-tightening time, size, cost, and power constraints. In order to achieve this, they must be equipped with the most relevant and practical information and knowledge regarding their tools and materials. 

Nexperia’s advanced support tools aim to achieve this on several distinct levels. The electrothermal models and application notes are designed to give engineers the complete arsenal required to design a system for unpredictable or extreme electrical and thermal conditions. On the other hand, the quick learning videos and handbooks are to help and aid the engineer in a visual manner regarding design pitfalls and best practices. 

The tools can allow engineers and amateur designers to spend more time optimizing their project rather than waste valuable time and resources on the initial steps of device selection and behavioural simulation. In turn, companies can develop prototypes faster with more certainty of their performance.

About the sponsor: Nexperia

Nexperia is a dedicated global leader in Discretes, Logic and MOSFETs. We became independent at the beginning of 2017. Focused on efficiency, Nexperia produces consistently reliable semiconductor components at high volume: more than 90 billion annually.  Our extensive portfolio meets the stringent standards set by the automotive industry. And industry-leading small packages, produced in our own manufacturing facilities, combine power and thermal efficiency with best-in-class quality levels. Built on over half a century of expertise, Nexperia has over 11,000 employees across Asia, Europe and the U.S. supporting customers globally. 

References

 1. Nexperia. Advanced Support Tools [Internet]. Nexperia. [cited 2023 Apr 2]. Available from: https://www.nexperia.com/applications/advanced-support-tools/

2. Nexperia. Advanced Support Tools - Electrothermal MOSFET models [Internet]. Nexperia. [cited 2023 Apr 3]. Available from: https://www.nexperia.com/applications/advanced-support-tools/

3. Berry A. Discrete MOSFETs Finally Get the Models they Deserve [Internet]. Nexperia. [cited 2023 Apr 3]. Available from: https://efficiencywins.nexperia.com/efficient-products/Discrete-MOSFETs-Finally-Get-the-Models-they-Deserve.html

4. Nexperia. Advanced Support Tools - Quick Learning Videos [Internet]. Nexperia. [cited 2023 Apr 3]. Available from: https://www.nexperia.com/applications/advanced-support-tools/

5. Nexperia. Advanced Support Tools - Interactive Application Notes [Internet]. Nexperia. [cited 2023 Apr 3]. Available from: https://www.nexperia.com/applications/advanced-support-tools/

6. Nexperia. MOSFET and GaN FET application handbook | Efficiency Wins [Internet]. 2nd ed. 2020 [cited 2023 Apr 3]. 600 p. Available from: https://efficiencywins.nexperia.com/efficient-products/mosfet-and-gan-fet-application-handbook.html