Keywords: functional integration, hybrid integration, power electronic, power integrated devices
A review of some approaches currently used to integrate power electronic functions is presented. In the field of power electronic, semiconductor devices are used in energy control and conversion circuits. The power function (switching or protection) is achieved through use of data and signal processing circuits separated from the discrete power device. The evolution naturally involves the integration of whole or part of low voltage elements with the power device in order to obtain a power integrated function. However, the electrical problems involved differ from those encountered in signal processing integrated devices. Indeed, it has to take into account high levels of current and voltage, dV/dt and di/dt, thermal effects… Thus an overview of the different modes of integration required according to the power level needed by the application is presented. For these different modes we describe, the structure, design and technology. In the last section of this paper we detail some of the trends in power integration. In low power area there exists a growing need to reduce the size of switching converters in portable equipment (note-book type personal computer, cellular phones) or for microsystem power supply. So, a second step in power integration consists in integrating passive elements as capacitors and inductors with semiconductor devices. For higher power applications, a new hybrid technology must be developed to integrate reactive components into fully integrated converters.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 1999 International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems
Published: April 19, 1999
Pages: 20 - 29
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Modeling & Simulation of Microsystems
ISBN: 0-9666135-4-6