Configurable load emulation using FPGA and power amplifiers for automotive power ICs

In this paper we present a new concept of an application-oriented characterization method for automotive power micro-electronic devices. Automotive power semiconductors are mainly influenced by their real-life application but there is no sufficient method yet to assess device robustness within their application. For that reason we established a first approach to emulate different automotive power loads by running their models in real-time on an FPGA platform while the load current is controlled with a class AB power amplifier. The functionality of this approach is evaluated on the basis of automotive smart high-side switches and incandescent lamp models.