High-voltage batteries can fail if a short circuit happens. A new MOSFET makes them safer, lasts longer, and works better in e-bikes, drones, and power tools.
High-voltage battery systems in e-mobility, drones, and professional power tools face a major risk during external short circuits, where currents can surge to thousands of amps. The discharge MOSFET, which isolates the battery in these situations, must be highly reliable to prevent catastrophic failures. Balancing safety and efficiency in these systems is a key challenge, especially at voltages of 72 V and above.
iDEAL Semiconductor’s SuperQ MOSFET technology addresses this challenge by improving short-circuit withstand capability (SCWC), a critical measure of safety for the discharge switch in battery management systems (BMS). Internal testing shows that SuperQ MOSFETs outperform competitors in short-circuit protection, achieving 1.4× higher short-circuit withstand current. This is made possible by a proprietary cell structure with a wider conduction region that enhances power density and structural integrity under extreme stress.
For battery pack designers, the SuperQ MOSFET delivers clear system-level benefits. Each device can handle higher short-circuit currents, allowing designers to use up to 50% fewer MOSFETs in parallel while still meeting safety requirements. Reducing the number of components lowers the total bill of materials and simplifies board layout, resulting in direct cost savings for the system. At the same time, the ultra-low RDS(on) of 2.5 mΩ keeps conduction losses low, improving efficiency, extending battery run-time, and reducing the need for extensive thermal management. SuperQ devices are available now with ratings up to 200 V, making them suitable for battery platforms from 72 V to over 144 V.
“In high-energy packs, robustness is non-negotiable. Traditional MOSFET designs are forced to compromise between achieving ultra-low RDS(on) for efficiency and the structural integrity needed to survive a massive short-circuit current,” said Dr. Phil Rutter VP of Design at iDEAL Semiconductor. “The SuperQ™ platform eliminates this compromise. Our proprietary cell structure delivers the market’s lowest on-resistance alongside a safety margin that is simply unmatched, giving designers the confidence to build smaller, more reliable, and lower-cost battery systems.”
