Source Turn-off (STO) MOSFET: A New Driving Architecture for Smart SiC Module

High-speed and intelligent gate driver is the critical interface between power semiconductor devices and control signals to achieve low switching loss and intelligent protection. The proposed novel Source Turn-Off (STO) MOSFET is a driver integrated MOSFET architecture that can achieve ultra-fast turn-on and turn-off operation beyond traditional voltage source gate driver approach. 1200V SiC STO half bridge was developed to demonstrate the concept. Faster switching speed and lower switching losses are demonstrated. The STO can be readily realized by using commercially available Si power MOS IC which can further enable intelligent functionalities such as build-in current monitoring, temperature monitoring and over current protection which are important for high power SiC modules.