Wolfspeed Achieves Industry’s First All- SiC 1.2kV power Module Reliability Benchmark for Harsh Environment Operation
New SiC power module enables highest reliability SiC devices for outdoor systems in renewable energy and transportation.
Durham, N.C., May 16, 2017 – Wolfspeed, a Cree Company and a leader in silicon carbide (SiC) power products, extends its leadership in SiC power device technology with the release of the industry’s first power module that passes the harsh environment qualification test for simultaneous high-humidity, high-temperature and high-voltage conditions.
This reliability benchmark enables system designers to use this device in outdoor applications such as transportation, wind, solar and other renewables where extreme environmental conditions have historically challenged safe device operation. The new all-SiC module, rated for 300 A and 1.2 kV blocking, was stressed in an 85 percent relative humidity, 85°C ambient while biased at 80 percent of rated voltage (960V). Success in harsh environment testing under bias provides further confidence in the overall ruggedness of SiC device technology for all applications.
“SiC components enable the design of compact, lightweight, low–loss converters required for railway transport applications,” said Michel Piton, semiconductor master expert at Alstom, a leading global supplier of systems, equipments and services for the railway market. “Achieving March 2017 the benchmark for temperature and humidity under high bias voltage is a key milestone for SiC devices in its adoption into our demanding market.”
Powered by new Wolfspeed™ MOSFETs (CPM2-1200-0025A) and Gen5 Schottky diodes that also pass the harsh environment test at the die level, the new module retains the low 4.2 mΩ on-resistance and more than five times lower switching losses than similarly rated, latest generation IGBT modules. Module construction utilizes high thermal conductivity aluminum nitride substrates and optimized assembly methods to meet industry thermal and power cycling requirements.
“This device is yet another industry-first driven by Wolfspeed,” said John Palmour, Wolfspeed's chief technology officer. “The latest 1200V module demonstrates our commitment to enabling markets and applications by meeting the anticipated system requirements for 2020 and beyond.”
Available under part number WAS300M12BM2, the new module can be driven using existing Wolfspeed™ gate drivers for 62mm modules. Please visit www.wolfspeed.com for more information and part availability. Attendees of PCIM 2017 can learn more about the new module at Hall 9, Booth 242. For all other inquiries about Wolfspeed power products, please visit https://www.wolfspeed.com/products/power/.
About Wolfspeed
Wolfspeed, A Cree Company, is leading the innovation and commercialization of silicon carbide and gallium nitride, liberating designers to invent power and wireless systems for a responsible, energy-efficient future.
Wolfspeed's wide bandgap semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications deliver new levels of performance through increased efficiency, higher switching frequency and reduced system size and weight for the transportation, industrial, energy and communications markets.
Please refer to www.wolfspeed.com for additional product and company information.
About Cree
Cree is a leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, lighting products and wide bandgap semiconductor products for power and radio frequency (RF) applications. Cree's product families include LED lighting systems and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, SiC materials, power devices and RF devices. Cree's products are driving improvements in applications such as commercial and consumer general illumination, video screens, electronic signs and signals, motor drives, power supplies, EV charging, solar, traction, transportation, radar, communications, telecom, data link and broadband amplifiers.
This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk that we may be unable to manufacture these new products with sufficiently low cost to offer them at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the risk we may encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of our new products; customer acceptance of our new products; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree's products obsolete; and other factors discussed in Cree's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2016, and subsequent filings.
For additional product and Company information, please refer to www.cree.com. Cree® is a registered trademark and Wolfspeed™ is a trademark of Cree, Inc.