Automotive application of Wolfspeed power products in an electric vehicle on the road

Applications

Automotive

Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide semiconductors are putting EV systems designers in the driver’s seat.

Unlock A New Era of EV Efficiency with Wolfspeed Silicon Carbide.

Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology can positively influence every major power path of an EV system. EVs utilizing Wolfspeed Silicon Carbide products have a lower overall system cost, and the ability to realize a more reliable operation in every section of the vehicle. Explore how Silicon Carbide is driving the EV revolution.

Wolfspeed's 6.6 kW High Power Density Bi-Directional EV On-Board Charger Reference Design.

A Market in Motion

Wolfspeed launched the industry’s first Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET in 2011 and has been leading the transformation from silicon to Silicon Carbide in EVs ever since. No longer constrained by the limitations of Si devices, EV designers embraced the faster switching speeds and greater power density that only Silicon Carbide MOSFETs and Schottky diodes enable, building smaller, lighter, and more efficient motors. Reducing power losses by nearly 80% also reduces consumers’ “range anxiety” by extending driving distance by up to 10%.

Wolfspeed offers the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of high-performance, high-capability Silicon Carbide components, including our automotive-grade E-Series, a family of ruggedized devices which are the first commercially available Silicon Carbide MOSFETs and diodes to be AEC-Q101 automotive qualified and PPAP capable. The E-Series offers designers the highest available power density and can handle the harshest environments for both on-board and off-board automotive power conversion systems.

Automotive Applications

EV Powertrain / Main Inverter

All EV powertrains propel their host vehicle, but exactly how that’s accomplished is up to the designer. He or she seeks to devise an elegant system which fluidly induces all the moving parts to do their jobs faster, using less power, at a lower price point. Many are designing around Wolfspeed’s 1200V Silicon Carbide MOSFET for its capability to handle high current with the industry’s lowest drain-source on resistance, which increases the distance consumers can drive on a single charge.

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On-Board Charger

When designing modern OBC systems, engineers are targeting to maximize efficiency, power density, and reliability while minimizing cost and complexity. Meeting the demanding requirements of today’s EV manufacturers takes world-class technology backed by world-class expertise. Wolfspeed Silicon Carbide MOSFETs and diodes along with our team of power systems experts enable customers to design optimized OBCs in the fastest amount of time.

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On-Board DC/DC Converter

An EV’s diverse systems are powered by diverse voltages – propulsion, HVAC, window lifts, lighting inside and out, infotainment and seat belt sensors are just some of a very long list. The on-board DC/DC unit must convert and portion out the correct voltage to each in real time, enabling all systems to work as one. Silicon Carbide devices ensure this process transpires faster, more reliably and with greater efficiency than any silicon-based solution.

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