Nexperia & KYOCERA AVX: 650V SiC Rectifier

In a recent announcement, Nexperia, a prominent semiconductor company, disclosed its collaboration with KYOCERA AVX Components (Salzburg) Limited. This partnership is aimed at the joint production of an innovative 650V 20A SiC rectifier module, tailored for high-frequency power applications, industrial power supplies, electric vehicle charging stations, and onboard chargers designed for power stacks ranging from 3kW to 11kW. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of a strong, long-term partnership between the two industry leaders.

The modern landscape of electronic components places a premium on space and weight reduction in power applications. The compact design of this SiC rectifier module promises a substantial boost in power density, leading to a reduction in required PCB space and an overall decrease in system costs.

This advanced rectifier module utilizes a combination of top-side cooling (TSC) and integrated negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensors to optimize thermal performance. These sensors continuously monitor device temperature, providing real-time feedback for device or system-level predictions and diagnostics. Moreover, the rectifier module features low-inductance packaging, enabling high-frequency operation, and is certified to operate at a junction temperature of up to 175°C.

Commenting on this collaboration, Katrin Feurle, Senior Director of Nexperia's SiC Product Division, stated, "The partnership between Nexperia and KYOCERA AVX brings together cutting-edge SiC semiconductors and advanced module packaging, positioning Nexperia to meet the market's demand for high-power-density power electronics products effectively. This release underscores the initial step in our long-standing SiC partnership."

Thomas Rinschede, Vice President of the Sensing and Control Division at KYOCERA AVX Components, added, "We are excited to expand our collaboration with Nexperia in producing SiC modules for power electronic applications. The synergy of Nexperia's manufacturing expertise and KYOCERA's proprietary module technology provides a compelling solution for customers looking to achieve higher power density through the utilization of wide-bandgap semiconductor technology."

Anticipated to debut in the first quarter of 2024, Nexperia expects that samples of the new SiC rectifier module will become available, further propelling advancements in power electronics.