Small standard components strategy, twenty years later

Abstract:
In 1999, a PCIM keynote paper entitled “Power switch: the standard small components strategy” is presented. This paper deals with the advantages of the association of small standard components instead of bigger ones and illustrates this purpose with high voltage high current very fast switches with small components associates in matrix. Twenty years later, some of these switches are still working. The goal of the presentation is to give some examples of realization, to list the key points of the technology, especially the use of MOSFET in avalanche mode, and the dimensioning. The conclusion focuses on some opportunities of using new standard components in avalanche mode.