Improvement of SiC power module layout to mitigate the gate-source overvoltage during switching operation

In the automotive applications, especially in traction inverters for electrical vehicles, high power, efficiency, and reliability are fundamental targets. In this paper, an optimized layout of SiC-based power module able to limit the positive and negative transient gate-source voltages is proposed. The module design and features are firstly described, then SPICE-SIMetrix simulations on a layout without optimization are shown. Moreover, a description of the necessary guidelines to cope with transient negative and positive overvoltages phenomena is outlined. Finally, simulation test results on the optimized module layout are presented.