Comparing Trench and Planar Schottky Rectifiers

White Paper Overview

Discrete power diodes and rectifiers used in an asynchronous switch mode power supply (SMPS) play a decisive role in the efficiency, reliability and electromagnetic emission of the complete system. A new generation of Trench Schottky rectifiers combines low switching losses and leading thermal performance.

The new parts up to 100 V and 20 A recently released by Nexperia offer low forward voltage and very low Qrr to enable better efficiency at high switching speeds. Additionally, they provide a wide safe operating area (SOA), delivering an extra safety margin and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.

This white paper provides an in-depth look at:

The differences between planar and Trench Schottky technology
How the SOA advantage of Nexperia's Trench Schottky rectifiers prove useful in applications where higher ambient temperatures have to be tolerated
The impact of the lower Qrr of Trench Schottky on the efficiency of a 48V/12V switch-mode converter
Why maximum efficiency of switch-mode power converters starts with choosing the right diode technology