Microsemi silicon carbide diodes standard on designated power modules

IRVINE, USA: Microsemi Corp., a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed signal ICs and high reliability semiconductors, has made silicon carbide diode upgrades standard on a large selection of its current portfolio of power modules for industrial, UPS, SMPS and motor drive applications.

While the substitution of silicon carbide Schottky diodes for conventional fast recovery diodes (FREDs) is an option on all Microsemi power modules, the company has selected the most frequently used offerings for standardization where high temperature operation and temperature independent switching behaviour are essential at elevated operating frequencies.

"By expanding our portfolio with these silicon carbide-enhanced modules, Microsemi provides our customers with a unique variety of standard modules to best suit their design needs," said Philippe Dupin, Director of Power Module Products, located in Bordeaux, France.

"The superior electrical characteristics of silicon carbide devices, in combination with Microsemi's innovative packaging, add to our ability to satisfy the needs of power system designers seeking to increase their power density, efficiency and system reliability with standard module solutions."

The modules now with standard SiC upgrades range from 500V to 1200V, mainly utilizing MOSFET technology. A smaller number of IGBT modules are also included. To optimize electrical performance the SiC diodes have been implemented in packages with the lowest parasitics, low profile and very compact SOT227, SP1, SP3, SP4 and SP6 packages.

Electrical configurations that benefit from SiC diode technology vary from single switch to phase leg, full bridge, boost, dual boost, Buck and dual Buck choppers.

Microsemi acquires Nexsem

IRVINE, USA: Microsemi Corp., a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, has executed an asset purchase agreement with Nexsem Inc., a small privately held semiconductor designer and marketer based in Orange County, CA.

Nexsem is a growing designer and marketer of high voltage DC to DC conversion devices targeted at the traditionally fast growing commercial markets such as: LCD-TVs, STBs, notebooks and netbooks, and other high-volume commercial applications.

"In Nexsem we have found an excellent complement to our existing power management offerings," stated James J. Peterson, President and CEO of Microsemi.

"Focusing on higher power 5 to 40 watt applications, Nexsem's impressive technology nicely supplements our industry-leading low power product offering, while increasing our total dollar content per application in several high-growth markets. Not only is this strategic for our Analog Mixed Signal product offering, but it demonstrates our continued focus on a balanced growth model at Microsemi; one which augments the steady nature of our High-Reliability markets with the traditionally high growth opportunities found in the commercial marketplace."

Microsemi will further discuss this acquisition and provide general business updates during its third quarter results conference call in July 2009.