The new devices include the industry's first super-junction transistors (MOSFETs) capable of withstanding peak voltages up to 950V, as well as 900V devices offering best-in-class energy efficiency and the world's only 850V devices to be offered in the ultra thin and space-saving PowerFLAT 8x8 HV package. Super-junction technology enables MOSFETs to achieve higher operating voltages with very low electrical on-resistance in relation to device size, enabling power supplies to deliver increased system reliability and energy efficiency within compact overall dimensions.
ST is a major supplier of super-junction MOSFETs, and now offers the highest voltage rating in the market as well as the industry's only second source of 900V super-junction devices. In addition, the family will soon be extended to include new 800V devices.
Super-junction technology for a greener world:
Demonstrating the efficiency of the SuperMESH 5 devices, ST also revealed details of the first successful customer application for its ultra high-voltage MOSFETs. TCI ( www.tcisaronno.net), an Italian solid-state lighting innovator, has chosen the 950V STU6N95K5 in IPAK package as the main power switch in its latest LED drivers for advanced and feature-rich LED lamps offering benchmark energy efficiency in a physically compact and cost-effective form factor. "ST's latest-generation SuperMESH 5 technology enabled TCI to establish the best efficiency and safety margin in the marketplace, creating a compelling value proposition for its customers," said Maurizio Giudice, Power Transistor Division Marketing Director for ST.
Other popular high-volume applications for ST's new super-junction MOSFETs include flat-panel televisions, PC power supplies, LED lighting drivers, and electronic ballasts for High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps. The MOSFETs will enable designers to meet increasingly strict limits on maximum power and minimum energy efficiency specified by eco-design standards such as Energy Star and the EU's Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive.
An example of tougher eco-design regulation can be seen in the latest Energy Star Program Requirements for Televisions, version 5.3, which specifies an absolute maximum power limit of 108.0 Watts for 50-in. or larger flat-screen televisions. Another can be found in the ErP lighting regulations, which demand increases in the minimum efficacy of various types of HID lamps between 2012 and 2017.
The high voltage rating of ST's new super-junction MOSFETs increases system safety and reliability. This is an important benefit in HID lamp ballasts and other systems operating at AC line voltages and higher, such as solar micro-inverters and charging points for electric vehicles. Charging points require very high power-conversion efficiency both to minimize charge time and vehicle running costs. In dc-to-ac inverters for solar micro-generators, high-efficiency, high-voltage MOSFETs enable designers to use higher switching frequencies and so generate high-quality ac power while reducing energy losses and solution size.
Key features of SuperMESH 5 MOSFETs:
The new MOSFETs are the first in ST's SuperMESH 5 fifth-generation super-junction family. They include the 900V STx21N90K5, 950V STx20N95K5 and 950V STx6N95K5 in various package options. The STL23N85K5 850V variant in the PowerFLAT 8x8 HV high-voltage surface-mount package has a footprint of 64mm2, which is 56% smaller than the industry-standard D2PAK package. In addition, its mounted height of 1mm is 77% lower than D2PAK allowing use in ultra-slim designs.
For the 900V STP21N90K5, the Figure of Merit (FOM), which indicates the device's overall energy efficiency when turned on as well as when switching on or off, is 62.5% better than the only comparable alternative device in the market. This enables designers to achieve an appreciable efficiency increase simply by using the STP21N90K5 rather than the competing device.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Voltage Part number rating RDS(ON) Package options Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- STx23N85K5 850V 0.275ohm TO-247, PowerFLAT 1mm-thick PowerFLAT 8x8 surface-mount package HV Lowest FOM (RDS(ON) x Qg) Ultra-low gate charge 100% avalanche tested G-S Zener protected ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- STx21N90K5 900V 0.299ohm TO-220, TO- Lowest RDS(ON) among 220FP, TO-247, 900v-950V in TO-220 D2PAK Lowest FOM (RDS(ON) ------------------------------------------------- x Qg) STx20N95K5 950V 0.330ohm TO-220, TO- Ultra-low gate charge 220FP, TO-247, 100% avalanche tested D2PAK G-S Zener protected ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- STx6N95K5 950V 1.25ohm TO-220, TO- Lowest FOM (RDS(ON) x Qg) 220FP, TO-247, Ultra-low gate charge DPAK, IPAK 100% avalanche tested G-S Zener protected ----------------------------------------------------------------------------