AN605

AN605 Vishay Siliconix Power MOSFET Basics: Understanding MOSFET Characteristics Associated With The Figure of Merit Jess Brown, Guy Moxey INTRODUCTION Power MOSFETs have become the standard choice as the main switching device for low-voltage (<200 V) switchmode power-supply (SMPS) converter applications. However using manufacturers’ datasheets to choose or size the correct device for a specific circuit topology is becoming increasingly difficult. The main criteria for MOSFET selection are the power loss associated with the MOSFET (related to the overall efficiency of the SMPS) and the power-dissipation capability of the MOSFET (related to the maximum junction temperature and thermal performance of the package). This application note focuses on the basic characteristics and understanding of the MOSFET. There are several factors which affect the gate of the MOSFET, and it is necessary to understand the fundamental basis of the device structure before the MOSFET behavior can be explained. This application note details the basic structure of the Trench MOSFET structure, identifying the parasitic components and defining related terminology. It also describes how and why the parasitic parameters occur. With a large variety of topologies, switching speeds, load currents, and output voltages available, it has become impossible to identify a generic MOSFET that offers the best performance across the wide range of circuit conditions. In some circumstances the on-resistance (rDS(on))...