High temperature electronic systems using silicon semiconductors

Many applications exist for high temperature electronic systems. Silicon semiconductors may be utilized in circuits operating below 200/spl deg/C. Some issues in the design and fabrication of electronic circuits for this temperature range are described in this paper. A hybrid version of a zero-voltage-switching solenoid drive circuit is constructed using standard commercial components and subjected to both short-term and long-term temperature tests. In the short-term test, the circuit was characterized from room temperature to 150/spl deg/C. The circuit operated at 150/spl deg/C for 2784 hours in the long-term test. These tests indicate that standard commercial components exist for operation at 150/spl deg/C. The inductor in the circuit was stable with temperature, while the capacitors varied significantly with temperature during the long-term test.