SiC-Based Auxiliary E-Fuse Technology Demonstrator for EV Applications

Abstract:
With the trend toward higher bus voltagesin electric vehicles, a robust circuit protection strategy becomes even more crucial. Concerns with reliability and slow response time of traditional solutions are forcing designers to consider alternative solutions such as electronic fuse, or E-Fuse, to quickly detect over-currents and protect downstream wiring and sensitive electronic loads. Enabled by silicon carbide (SiC) technology and designed for 400 V and 800 V electric vehicle battery systems, the auxiliary EFuse combines circuit protection, control, configurability and diagnostic features in a single solution. E-Fuse offers many system-level benefits. Among the benefits is the resettable nature of an E-Fuse. Eliminated is the constraint to design for serviceability, allowing system integrators and vehicle designers more flexibility in packaging without concern for end-user accessibility. In this paper, the benefits offered by SiC-based E-Fuse over the incumbent solutions will be discussed, followed by an in-depth analysis of various aspects of Microchip Technology’s E-Fuse 30 A technology demonstrator. Electrical performance, including current sensing technology, reliability, ruggedness and other design considerations for using SiC MOSFETs in electric vehicle applications will be covered.