Review of power module automatic layout optimization methods in electric vehicle applications

The layout of power modules is a crucial design consideration, especially for silicon carbide devices. For electrical layout, optimizing the parasitic parameters can improving switching loss and dynamic behavior. For thermal layout, reducing the thermal resistance and controlling thermal capacitance can reduce the local hot point. Conventional layout design iterations are based on human knowledge and experience. But the major drawback of manual design methods is a limited choice of candidates, large time consumption and also the lack of consistency. With the introduce of automatic layout design, these challenges can be overcome which in the meanwhile alleviates current and temperature imbalance. By reviewing element representation, placement, routing, fitness evaluation, and the optimization algorithm approaches, a state-of-the-art power module layout design method for electric vehicle applications is introduced. © 2017 CMP.