3 ms·

High voltage MOSFETs and IGBTs are built on a completely different process. Size is definitely not an issue with them. It is about exotic doping to create the d

High voltage MOSFETs and IGBTs are built on a completely different process. Size is definitely not an issue with them. It is about exotic doping to create the desired characteristics. They're built using much larger feature sizes but on completely separate lines.

dragontamer 5y ago
I'm not really in the industry. But I know that high-voltage MOSFETs / IGBTs need substantial amounts of current to turn on / off adequately. Under typical use, there's a dedicated chip called a "Gate Driver" that provides that current, between a microcontroller and the IGBT. Its not that the IGBT / MOSFETs are built on these microcontrollers. Its that the Gate-Driver can be integrated into a microcontroller (simplifying the circuit design and reducing the number of parts you need to buy). Under normal circumstances, a microcontroller can probably source/sink 1mA (too little to adequately turn on an IGBT). You amplify the 1mA with a gate-driver chip into 100mA, and then the amplified 100mA is used to turn on/off the IGBT. By integrating a gate-driver into the microcontroller, you save a part.
- bravo22 5y ago
  Gate drivers are discrete parts and aren't integrated into microcontorllers because they require high voltages (12/24V vs 3.3V) amongst many other reasons. They also have to be located close to the IGBT and the designers would want it as a separate part because it gives them enormous flexibility. You aren't saving much by adding a gate driver to a micro and I can't think of any micro that has it integrated. There are simple things like motor drivers, etc. that may have a gate driver integrated but that's not a micro and those are also built on large nodes -- much larger than nodes used for microcontrollers. FWIW: I design advanced node (20-5nm) ASICs for a living, and have designed on older nodes before. I've also worked in power electronics.

dragontamer 5y ago

I'm not really in the industry. But I know that high-voltage MOSFETs / IGBTs need substantial amounts of current to turn on / off adequately. Under typical use, there's a dedicated chip called a "Gate Driver" that provides that current, between a microcontroller and the IGBT. Its not that the IGBT / MOSFETs are built on these microcontrollers. Its that the Gate-Driver can be integrated into a microcontroller (simplifying the circuit design and reducing the number of parts you need to buy). Under normal circumstances, a microcontroller can probably source/sink 1mA (too little to adequately turn on an IGBT). You amplify the 1mA with a gate-driver chip into 100mA, and then the amplified 100mA is used to turn on/off the IGBT. By integrating a gate-driver into the microcontroller, you save a part.

bravo22 5y ago
Gate drivers are discrete parts and aren't integrated into microcontorllers because they require high voltages (12/24V vs 3.3V) amongst many other reasons. They also have to be located close to the IGBT and the designers would want it as a separate part because it gives them enormous flexibility. You aren't saving much by adding a gate driver to a micro and I can't think of any micro that has it integrated. There are simple things like motor drivers, etc. that may have a gate driver integrated but that's not a micro and those are also built on large nodes -- much larger than nodes used for microcontrollers. FWIW: I design advanced node (20-5nm) ASICs for a living, and have designed on older nodes before. I've also worked in power electronics.