Model requirements for simulation of low-voltage MOSFET in automotive applications

This paper focuses on the modeling of low-voltage automotive power electronic circuits to obtain accurate system simulation, including estimation of losses. The aim is to compare several metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) models to find out which can be used for low-voltage, high-current automotive converter simulations. As these models are intended for system simulation, only analytical models are addressed as they may be implemented into any circuit simulator. The different modes of operation of the switches are described (commutation, synchronous rectification, avalanche...), and several models of the power MOSFET transistor, allowing for simulation in these modes, are presented. Special care is given to the parameter extraction methods and to the interconnection model of the commutation cell. The four test circuits used to identify the low-voltage power MOSFET model parameters are presented. Comparison between simulations and measurements obtained with a calorimeter are then detailed. This measurement method is accurate and offers a simple way to prove the quality of simulation results. It is shown that the parameter identification is of major concern to achieve high accuracy, as classical Spice models can give good results, providing the model parameters are correctly set