Course instructor:
Prof. Uwe Scheuermann (Semikron Elektronik)
Dr. Jelena Popovic-Gerber (Delft University of Technology)
In addition to the conventional electronics packaging functions, in Power Electronics one has to deal with further requirements such as handling high voltages and currents and removing the dissipated heat. After a short introduction to power electronics for non-electrical engineers, the tutorial starts with the presentation of the basic features of power electronics packaging including functions, materials and thermal management as one of the key issues. The packaging of components and modules as well as the converter level packaging is covered starting from low power discrete and monolithic solutions up to hundreds of kW converters. Power electronics packaging is discussed in a System environment focussing on cooling techniques and thermal interface materials. Since there is a dominant impact of packaging on the reliability of components and systems, one session is devoted to failure mechanisms and reliability testing. The current drivers in power electronic systems are power density, manufacturability, reliability and costs. The shortcomings and bottlenecks of state-of-the-art packaging will be discussed and the emerging interconnection and integration technologies that aim to address these challenges will be reviewed. This tutorial is aimed at engineers who are engaged in power electronics and want to improve their knowledge and understanding of power electronics packaging including ongoing developments and future trends.