Semiconductor power switches are critical components in power conversion for a wide variety of high efficiency and clean energy applications including motor drives, electric vehicles, renewable energy generation, and energy storage. Improving the efficiency and performance of semiconductor power switch components can have wide benefits, improving the economics and accelerating deployment of these applications.
Ideal Power has recently received five US patents, and has other patents pending, for the topology and method of operation of a new kind of semiconductor power switch, which we call a Bidirectional Bipolar Junction Transistor (B-TRAN). Worldwide patents are pending. Based on third party simulations, the B-TRAN is predicted to significantly improve performance over conventional power switches such as SCRs, IGBTs and MOSFETs, as implemented in silicon or wide-band-gap materials such as silicon carbide.
This white paper provides technical background on the B-TRAN device structure and operation, as well as predictions of B-TRAN performance compared with conventional power switches. A summary of B-TRAN applications and addressable markets is provided as well.
For details, please click http://www.idealpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/WHT-00002_RevC_BTRAN_April2016.pdf.
