Thermal Performance Improvement Approach of GaN Power Electronic Devices for Automotive EPS Motor Drivers

This paper introduces thermal performance improvement approach of gallium nitride (GaN) power electronic devices for automotive electric power steering (EPS) motor drivers as an alternative to conventional silicon (Si) power electronics devices. The experimental results include thermal images measured while driving an automotive EPS motor at various temperatures. This work compares and analyzes the thermal performance of GaN- and Si-based power transistor devices and introduces the need for new approaches to improve the thermal performance for GaN power electronic devices.