posted on 2016-06-08, 12:28authored byBing Ji, Wenping Cao, Volker Pickert
Power semiconductors are the most important and enabling components in power converters, similar to the “muscle” in a living body. However, they are controlled by the central control unit, which is similar to the “brain” in a living body. Power semiconductors in power electronic systems process and control power flow. Largely different from their electronic counterpart used in signal processing, power semiconductor devices handle much higher voltages and currents for power flow control. In order to improve the system efficiency, power semiconductor devices are operated in a switching mode (On/Off).