Utilizing Modern Design Methodologies for Wide-Bandgap Power Electronics: Predictive simulation techniques to save time and money

With the introduction of new gallium nitride (GaN) power switches into the market, designers have more device options open to them for creating efficient and dense power management systems using these highspeed power switches. The market pull for more efficient compact systems, which translates to better and cheaper systems, is driving many companies and designers to prototype systems with these switches. These newer designs are not without their challenges, and designers are beginning to realize that traditional design methodologies need to be augmented. This article illustrates these challenges and presents a design methodology that can help ensure success with less design spins. The test board is a half-bridge board using GaN power switches from Transphorm.