Bipolar Transistors

Application Note

Bipolar Transistors

Description
This document describes the maximum ratings of bipolar transistors.

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

Table of Contents
Description............................................................................................................................................ 1

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................. 2

1. Ratings of transistors ...................................................................................................................... 4

1.1. Maximum ratings of transistors......................................................................................................... 4

1.2. Voltage ratings ..................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3. Current ratings ....................................................................................................................................11

1.4. Temperature ratings ...........................................................................................................................11

1.5. Power ratings ..................................................................................................................................... 12

1.6. Safe operating area (SOA) ............................................................................................................... 13

1.7. SOA test methods.............................................................................................................................. 17

1.8. Forward-bias safe operating area (FBSOA) .................................................................................. 19

1.9. Reverse-bias safe operating area (RBSOA) .................................................................................. 22

RESTRICTIONS ON PRODUCT USE ........................................................................................................ 23

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List of Figures
Figure 1.1 Collector breakdown voltages ............................................................................................. 5

Figure 1.2 Collector voltage vs. current amplification factor ............................................................ 9

Figure 1.3 Relationship between RB and breakdown voltage ......................................................... 10

Figure 1.4 Collector current-voltage characteristics showing the secondary breakdown curve14

Figure 1.5 Pulse width vs. ES/B and PS/B ............................................................................................. 14

Figure 1.6 Planar transistor .................................................................................................................. 14

Figure 1.7 Base layer voltage drop when base-emitter forward bias is applied ......................... 14

Figure 1.8 Base-emitter reverse bias ................................................................................................. 14

Figure 1.9 IS/B vs. fT ............................................................................................................................... 15

Figure 1.10 Dependence of secondary breakdown trigger energy ES/B on the load inductance and
base-emitter conditions ................................................................................................................. 16

Figure 1.11 DC-supplied secondary breakdown method ................................................................ 17

Figure 1.12 Pulse-supplied secondary breakdown method (pulse to be applied between emitter
and base) ......................................................................................................................................... 17

Figure 1.13 Forward-bias SOA test circuit (TS/B method) ............................................................... 17

Figure 1.14 Reverse-bias SOA test circuit (latching method) ........................................................ 18

Figure 1.15 Transient thermal resistance method (ΔVBE method) ................................................. 19

Figure 1.16 SOA for Transistor A and an example of SOA derated for TC = 100°C ................... 20

Figure 1.17 SOA for Transistor B and an example of SOA derated for TC = 80°C ..................... 20

Figure 1.18 Examples of temperature derating of the safe operating area ................................. 21

Figure 1.19 Examples of reverse-bias SOAs...................................................................................... 22

Figure 1.20 Example of a reverse-bias SOA ...................................................................................... 22

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

1. Ratings of transistors
1.1. Maximum ratings of transistors
For transistors, the maximum allowable current, voltage, power dissipation and other
parameters are specified as maximum ratings.
In designing a transistor circuit, understanding maximum ratings is crucial to ensure that
transistors operate within the target operating time and with sufficient reliability.
One of the characteristics of semiconductor devices including transistors is that their electrical
characteristics are very sensitive to temperature. Therefore, the maximum ratings are determined
by considering the temperature rise of the device. When a voltage applied to a transistor is
constant, its electrical conductivity increases with the ambient temperature. Consequently, a
current flowing through the transistor increases, increasing the power consumed. This, in turn,
causes the temperature to rise further. If the temperature exceeds a limit, the transistor is
eventually damaged.
In order to ensure the expected useful life and reliability of transistors, their maximum ratings
must not be exceeded. Since the maximum ratings are limited by the materials, circuit designs,
and manufacturing conditions used, they differ from transistor to transistor. For transistors, the
maximum ratings are defined based on the absolute maximum rating approach.
The absolute maximum ratings are the highest values that must not be exceeded during
operation even instantaneously. When two or more ratings are specified, two ratings can not be
applied to the transistor at the same time.
Exposure to a condition exceeding a maximum rating may cause permanent degradation of its
electrical characteristics. Care should be exercised as to supply voltage bounces, variations in the
characteristics of circuit components, possible exposure to stress higher than the maximum
ratings during circuit adjustment, changes in ambient temperature, and input signal fluctuations.
The maximum ratings of transistors are mainly decided with respect to emitter, base, and
collector currents, terminal-to-terminal voltages, collector power dissipation, junction
temperature, and storage temperature. These parameters are interrelated and cannot be
considered separately. They also depend on external circuit conditions.

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note
1.2. Voltage ratings
A transistor composes an input/output circuit containing an emitter, base or collector. Either
terminal is used as a common terminal in the circuit. Therefore, the collector-base voltage VCB,
collector-emitter voltage VCE, and emitter-base voltage VEB ratings are specified for transistors.
There are two types of breakdown voltages that determine the voltage ratings: those inherent to
a transistor such as V(BR)CBO and V(BR)CEO and those dependent on the base circuit conditions such
as V(BR)CER and V(BR)CEX.

(1) Collector voltage ratings

(a) (b)
IC VB = common-base IC VA = common-emitter
avalanche breakdown avalanche
－ －
voltage breakdown
VCBO (α = ∞) VCEO voltage
+ + (β = ∞)
IC IC

V(BR)CBO VB VCB V(BR)CEO VA VCE

(c) (d)
IC IC

RB RB small
－ －
large
VCES VCER
+ RB +
IC IC

VA VB VCE
VA VB VCE
V(BR)CES V(BR)CER
(e) (f)

IC RE large IC
RB
－ －
large
VCER + VCEX
RB RE + IC VEB + IC
－
VA VB VCE VA VB VCE
V(BR)CER V(BR)CEX

Figure 1.1 Collector breakdown voltages

The collector voltage ratings are important since bipolar transistors are generally used in
the common-base or common-emitter configuration.
Figure 1.1 shows various collector breakdown voltages specified for bipolar transistors,
which are defined as:
V(BR)CBO : Collector-base breakdown voltage with emitter open
V(BR)CEO : Collector-emitter breakdown voltage with base open
V(BR)CES : Collector-emitter breakdown voltage with base short-circuited to emitter
V(BR)CER : Collector-emitter breakdown voltage with resistor between base and emitter
V(BR)CEX : Collector-emitter breakdown voltage with base and emitter reverse-biased

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The collector breakdown voltages have the following relationship:

V(BR)CBO > V(BR)CES > V(BR)CEX > V(BR)CER > V(BR)CEO
The values of V(BR)CEO and V(BR)CES are almost the same.

(a) Collector-base breakdown voltage with emitter open: V(BR)CBO

－ Common-emitter avalanche breakdown voltage (VB) －

V(BR)CBO is equivalent to the characteristics of the collector-base diode of a transistor.

When the collector and base terminals are biased in the reverse direction, a very small cut
-off current (ICBO) flows between the collector and base. As the reverse voltage is increased,
the electric field in the depletion region of the pn junction increases.
As a result, minority carriers gain sufficient energy from the electric field and the minority
carriers collide with silicon atoms in the depletion region, which break the covalent bonds and
generate electron-hole pairs. When the electric field is strong enough, the charge carriers are
accelerated to high enough speeds to knock other bound electrons free, creating more free
charge carriers. This knocking-out process continues, rapidly increasing the current and creating
avalanche multiplication. This avalanche breakdown phenomenon limits the maximum voltage
that can be applied to a transistor.
The avalanche multiplication coefficient, M, can be empirically determined and given by
Equation 1-1:
1
M= n
VCB ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–1)
1- ( )
VB

The current amplification factor, α, is:

α = α0 M ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–2)

VB : Breakdown voltage
VCB : Collector-base voltage
α0 : Common-base current amplification factor at a voltage that does not cause
avalanche multiplication
n : Dependent on the type of a transistor; 2 to 4 for PNP transistors and 2 to 3 for
NPN transistors

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VB is determined by the dopant concentration on the high-resistivity side of a junction.

The higher the dopant concentration, the smaller the VB value. The maximum breakdown
voltage is determined by VB. It should be noted, however, that the maximum V(BR)CBO
value specified as an absolute maximum rating is a voltage at the specified current. The
maximum V(BR)CBO value is smaller than VB.
The temperature coefficient of VB is positive because it is related to carrier mobility. Since
ICBO increases with temperature, the V(BR)CBO value may become smaller in the low-current
region at high temperature.
In a common-base configuration, the collector current IC is calculated as follows:

IC = α IE + M ICBO ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–3)

(b) Collector-emitter breakdown voltage with base open: V(BR)CEO

－ Common-emitter avalanche breakdown voltage (VA) －

In a common-emitter configuration, avalanche breakdown occurs when the common-

emitter current amplification factor (β) is infinite.
β can be calculated as follows using α0:

α0 M
β= ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–4)
1 - α0 M

When α0M = 1 (i.e., M = 1/α0), β becomes infinite, causing an avalanche multiplication

process to occur.
When the voltage applied across the collector and emitter terminals is high, carriers
diffuse into the collector from the base. As a result, the base-emitter diode of a transistor
is forward-biased, causing the transistor to turn on. When the collector-base voltage VCB
reaches VA, the number of carriers generated by avalanche multiplication equals the
number of carriers (γ β0 = α0) that are injected at an emitter injection efficiency of γ and
transported to the depletion region at a base transport factor of β0. This causes the
collector current to continue flowing without the need for a base current supply.
Because M = 1/α0, Equation 1-1 can be restated as:
n
VCB
α0 = 1 -( ) ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–5)
VB

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Solving Equation 1-5 for the common-emitter avalanche breakdown voltage VA at which
α0M = 1 gives:
n
VA = VB √ 1 - α0 ≈ V(BR)CEO ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–6)

At a collector voltage lower than VA, the base current IB flows in the forward direction,
causing β to be positive. At a collector voltage higher than VA, the base current IB flows in the
reverse direction, causing β to be negative. Figure 1.2 shows the relationship between β and
the current amplification factor α as a function of the collector voltage. When the input base
current is constant, the collector current IC of a transistor in a common-emitter configuration
can be calculated as follows:

IC = β IB + ( β + 1 ) M ICBO ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–7)

β : Common-emitter current amplification factor

The temperature dependence of V(BR)CEO is determined by the temperature dependence of

VB, α0, and ICBO (ICEO). In this case, the temperature coefficient is positive or negative.

(c) Common-emitter breakdown voltages under different base circuit conditions: V(BR)CER,
V(BR)CES, and V(BR)CEX

When the base terminal is connected to the emitter terminal through a resistor (RB) as
shown in Figure 1.1 (d), the collector cut-off current MICBO flows through the internal base
resistor rb and the external resistor RB. If the resulting voltage drop MICBO(RB + rb) causes the
base-emitter junction to be forward-biased, emitter injection occurs, leading to collector-
emitter breakdown.
The voltage at which this breakdown occurs, V(BR)CER, is calculated as follows:

n ICBO ( RB + rb )
V(BR)CER = VB √ 1 - ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–8)
Vd

8
I7C
6

Vd : Base-emitter threshold voltage 5

4
3
2
1
0
1.1 1.15 1.2
Vd
1.25 1.3
V1.35
BE

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VCER is logarithmically inversely proportional to RB. Therefore, a transistor exhibits the

highest breakdown voltage when RB = 0. V(BR)CES represents the collector-emitter
breakdown voltage with base and emitter short-circuited (see Figure 1.1 (c)).
When the base terminal is open-circuited (i.e., when RB = ∞), the transistor behavior is
determined by β. At this time, the cut-off current MICBO flows through the base terminal of a
transistor, causing a collector current equal to (β + 1)MICBO to flow. Breakdown occurs at a
collector-emitter voltage that causes β to become infinite. This common-emitter voltage is
defined above as the common-emitter avalanche voltage VA.
When RB is a non-zero value, the breakdown voltage is between VA and VB.
When emitter injection begins, the current ∞ ∞
α β
amplification factor α (= α0M) becomes greater 1- α VA DC current
gain, α
than unity while β becomes negative. Figure 1.2 α = 1.0
0
indicates that when VCE > VA, β negatively α = -1.0 VCB
→
VB VCE
increases as VCE decreases. At the breakdown β

point, emitter injection occurs, causing IC to -∞

increase sharply. Due to internal resistance, an Figure 1.2 Collector voltage vs.
current amplification factor
increase in IC causes a drop in collector voltage,
which, in turn, causes an increase in β and IC.
This phenomenon occurs continuously, showing negative resistance characteristics, and
causes the breakdown voltage to approach VA as β tends to ∞.
Figure 1.3 (a) shows the relationship between RB and breakdown voltage. Figure 1.3 (b)
shows the relationships between V(BR)CER and RB and between lCER and RB. All these curves
depict the same characteristics.
When RE is connected to the emitter as shown in Figure 1.1 (e), RE produces a negative
feedback effect, causing the breakdown voltage VA’ to increase according to Equation 1-9.
When the base and emitter terminals are reverse-biased as shown in Figure 1.1 (f), a
transistor exhibits the highest breakdown voltage at a collector-emitter voltage when
emitter injection occurs, as is the case with V(BR)CER. As the collector-emitter voltage
increases, VEB produces a negative feedback effect, causing the breakdown voltage to
approach VA asymptotically. At this time, the maximum voltage of VCEX, which is given by
Equation 1-10, is greater than V(BR)CES.

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V(BR)CER
MICBO locus V(BR)CES

log V(BR)CER
log ICER
RB=∞ ICEO
RB Low V(BR)CEO
VCES (RB=0) ICES ICER
VCEO
log RB
VCE
VA V(BR)CES

V(BR)CER
(b)
(a)
Figure 1.3 Relationship between RB and breakdown voltage

n α0 RB
VA ' = VB √ 1 - ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–9)
RB + RE

n ICBO rb
V(BR)CEX = VB √ 1 - ･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–10)
Vd + VEB

(2) Emitter-base voltage rating

The emitter-base breakdown voltage with collector open-circuited, V(BR)EBO, is
qualitatively similar to V(BR)CBO. However, since a typical transistor has high dopant
concentration in the emitter layer, V(BR)EBO is a few volts. When the breakdown voltage is
lower than about 6 V, Zener breakdown occurs due to the tunneling effect instead of the
avalanche breakdown described so far.
Care should be exercised to ensure that the base-emitter junction is not reverse-biased
at an excessive voltage since this voltage generally degrades or damages a transistor.

(3) Measurement of voltage ratings

The maximum voltage that appears across a given terminal pair is measured by
applying a specified current to a specific terminal under specified conditions. Generally, the
peak of a half sine wave (e.g., curve tracer) for measurement is adjusted to the specified
current value. A DC current must not be used for measurement since a DC current could
inflict thermal damage to a device.

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1.3. Current ratings

Transistors have plural current ratings: IEmax or the maximum current that can flow through the
base-emitter junction in the forward direction and ICmax or the maximum current that can flow
through the collector-base junction in the reverse direction. For most transistors, ICmax and IEmax
are equal. These current ratings are determined, primarily considering the following:
(1) Current that does not lead to an excessive increase in junction temperature, which is
caused by a device’s power dissipation due to a collector-emitter voltage
(2) Current at which the DC current gain hFE is reduced to one-half to one-third of the peak
(Current at which hFE ≈ 10 for medium-power switching transistors and hFE ≈ 3 for
high-power switching transistors)
(3) Current at which internal wires burn out
1 1
Generally, the maximum base current lBmax is: IBmax = ～ × ICmax
2 6

1.4. Temperature ratings

The reliability of a transistor is determined by the constituent materials and the maximum
junction temperature, Tj(max).
The maximum junction temperature must be considered not only in terms of the functional
operation of the transistor but also in terms of its reliability such as device degradation and
lifetime.
Generally, the degradation of the transistor accelerates as the junction temperature increases.
Let A and B be constants intrinsic to a transistor. Then, the average life in hours of operation, Lm,
and the junction temperature in Kelvin (K), Tj, have the following relationship:

B
log Lm ≈ A + ･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–11)
Tj

The maximum allowable junction temperature of a transistor is determined, considering its

failure rate and reliability. Storage temperature, Tstg, is specified as a range over which a transistor
can be stored without voltage application. The materials that constitute the transistor and their
reliability also determine the storage temperature range.

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1.5. Power ratings

The electric power dissipated inside a transistor is converted into thermal energy, increasing its
internal temperature.
The power dissipation of a transistor at a given operating point is the sum of the collector power
dissipation PC (= ICVCB) and the emitter power dissipation (= IEVBE). Generally, VCB is greater than
VBE since the base and emitter terminals are forward-biased. PC = IC (VCB+VBE) ≃ ICVCE, Because
IC ≃ IE
The maximum collector power dissipation PC(max) of a transistor is limited by the maximum
junction temperature Tj(max) and the reference operating temperature TO (either the ambient
temperature Ta or the case temperature Tc). These parameters have the following relationship
using the thermal resistance Rth:

Tj max - TO
PCmax = ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–12)
Rth

Thermal resistance is a variation in junction temperature divided by the variation in power

dissipation. It is a physical property that represents an object’s difficulty of dissipating heat. To
handle large power dissipation, transistors with a large PC(max) rating are required. Thermal design
is particularly important for power transistor applications.
Generally, PC(max) is rated at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 25°C, or at a case temperature
(TC) of 25°C when a heat sink is expected to be attached to the package case. The
junction-to-ambient thermal resistance Rth(j–a) and the junction-to-case thermal resistance Rth(j–

c) can be calculated using Equation 1-12.

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1.6. Safe operating area (SOA)
The safe operating area (SOA) is defined as the regions in which a transistor can operate without
self-damage or degradation.
The range of a transistor’s usability is limited by the maximum ratings such as the maximum
voltage, maximum current, and maximum collector power dissipation. However, transistors in
high-power amplifiers or circuits driving inductive loads might be degraded or damaged even
when they are used within individual maximum ratings. This is attributable to the secondary
breakdown of the transistor.
Therefore, transistor-based circuits should be designed, taking SOAs into account.

(1) Secondary breakdown (S/B)

Figure 1.4 shows secondary breakdown curves. Secondary breakdown is a failure mode
that occurs over certain voltage and current conditions (VS/b and Is/b) when the current is
increased beyond the conditions of primary breakdown. This results in a sharp drop in the
collector-emitter voltage, causing a transistor to plunge into a low-impedance region and be
destroyed in a few microseconds or less. Both VCEO and VCBO have secondary breakdown
points, regardless of whether the base-emitter is forward-or reverse-biased.
The secondary breakdown points (VS/b and IS/b) vary along the locus shown in Figure 1.4
depending on the base bias condition. Since secondary breakdown is an energy-dependent
phenomenon, the secondary breakdown curve varies depending on the width of the pulse
applied. This curve determines the SOA for pulse operation. Figure 1.5 shows the
relationship between the pulse width and the secondary breakdown trigger power.
The narrower the pulse width, the higher the secondary breakdown trigger power and the
lower the secondary breakdown energy (i.e., the trigger energy, or the energy absorbed by a
transistor before it is triggered into secondary breakdown). Secondary breakdown is
considered to occur when a current concentrates in a small spot, causing local heating (i.e.,
a hot spot) and leading to local thermal runaway. The causes of current concentration
include a voltage drop and uneven lateral temperature distribution in the base layer.
Also, an uneven base width and junction defects can trigger current concentration.

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After second
breakdown DC secondary
breakdown

S/B trigger power, PS/B (W)

4
10
Constant-IB lines
3
10

ES/B (mJ)
2
10
IC
Common-emitter 10
avalanche breakdown 10 μs 100 μs 1 ms 10 ms 100 ms

ICBO locus Pulse width, rb

VCE

Figure 1.4 Collector current-voltage Figure 1.5 Pulse width vs. ES/B and PS/B
characteristics showing the secondary
breakdown curve

(2) Forward-bias secondary breakdown

When the base and emitter terminals are forward-biased, a hot spot occurs due to current
concentration around the emitter layer.
This is because the horizontal base current traveling immediately below the emitter layer
causes a voltage drop in the base layer, leading to a higher forward bias near the edges of
the emitter layer than in the center section. This, in turn, results in a higher minority carrier
injection and therefore a higher current density at the edges of the emitter layer.
When minority carriers cross the depletion layer in the collector, a power loss occurs and
heat is generated locally. This induces further current concentration and results in a hot spot,
eventually leading to secondary breakdown.

Vd: Threshold voltage of the

+VBE
base-emitter diode
Emitter
Minority carrier injection
Base occurs in the shaded area.
a bc
Vd
Collector Vd

a b c
a b c

Figure 1.6 Figure 1.7 Figure 1.8

Planar transistor Base layer voltage Base-emitter reverse
drop when bias
base-emitter
forward bias is
applied

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Relationship between secondary breakdown and transistor characteristics

When the base and emitter terminals of a transistor are forward-biased, the secondary
breakdown trigger current IS/B is closely related to its characteristics. Generally, when
carriers are injected into the base layer from the emitter layer, they fan out in a cone-shaped
pattern before reaching the collector-base junction. Therefore, if the carrier transit time
through the base is long, the carriers further fan out before reaching the depletion layer in
the collector, decreasing the current density. As a result, hot spots are less likely to occur.
The carrier transit time is determined by the base width and the drift field in the base
layer. There is a strong negative correlation between the IS/B and fT characteristics of a
transistor irrespective of the pulse width.
Figure 1.9 shows the IS/B-vs-fT curve.
S/B trigger current, IS/B (A)

K
1
IS/B = ( )
√fT

K : Base width
Transition frequency, fT Constant determined by Drift field and Bias condition

Figure 1.9 IS/B vs. fT

(3) Reverse-bias secondary breakdown

When the base and emitter terminals are reverse-biased, the direction of a voltage drop in
the base layer is opposite to the direction when they are forward-biased. Consequently, the
carriers injected from the emitter concentrate in the center section of the emitter layer as
shown in Figure 1.8. The state of carrier concentration differs, depending on the type of
transistor. Carriers concentrate in one spot at the center of the emitter in the case of a ring-
shaped emitter and along the center line of the emitter in the case of a comb-shaped emitter.
A higher reverse bias causes a higher current concentration in a very small area at the
center of the emitter. Therefore, the trigger energy (i.e., the energy absorbed by a transistor
before going into secondary breakdown) under reverse-bias operation is much less than the
trigger energy under forward-bias operation. As is the case with forward-bias operation
described above, the carriers injected from the emitter fan out. Therefore, the base width
and the drift field in the base layer closely correlate to secondary breakdown.

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

Reverse-bias secondary breakdown primarily occurs when a transistor circuit has an

inductive load. The secondary breakdown trigger energy ES/B depends on the inductance L
and the base-emitter conditions as shown in Figure 1.10.

S/B trigger energy, ES/B

RBE

L
- VBE

Inductance, L
Base-emitter resistor, RBE
Base-emitter voltage, VBE

Figure 1.10 Dependence of secondary breakdown trigger energy ES/B

on the load inductance and base-emitter conditions

(4) Deterioration and destruction of a transistor due to secondary breakdown

The impact of secondary breakdown on the electrical characteristics depends on the type
of transistor. When the applied voltage is low, if the power is shut off at the moment
secondary breakdown occurs, it may not change even if secondary breakdown occurs again.
However, even with occurrence of S/B once, characteristics may be degraded or destroyed,
so it is necessary to be careful. If a transistor is electrically degraded or destroyed by
secondary breakdown, VEBO, VCBO, and VCEO tend to have a soft locus or be short-circuited.
A collector-emitter short-circuit in particular is a distinctive failure caused by secondary
breakdown that results in pinholes in the emitter. In addition, the secondary breakdown
ruggedness might be affected even if the electrical characteristics are not degraded. This is
due to a decrease in secondary breakdown trigger energy ES/B, which indicates that the
transistor is close to destruction.

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note
1.7. SOA test methods
There are many SOA test methods. The method that suits the intended purpose is used
according to the circuit configuration and operating conditions.
Measuring SOA directly will cause transistor deterioration and breakdown. For this reason, it is
important to measure the state just before the secondary breakdown and check the SOA.
There are three major types of SOA test methods:
(1) Secondary breakdown (S/B) method
(2) Latching method
(3) Transient thermal resistance method
The following subsections describe the practical applications of each SOA test method.

(1) Secondary breakdown method

A voltage and a current are applied between the collector and base or between the
collector and emitter of a transistor to measure the time when it goes into secondary
breakdown. This test requires an adequate protection circuit to prevent deterioration of
the transistor.
An improvement of the above method is the TS/B method shown in Figure 1.13, which is
used to obtain a forward-bias SOA when the width of the applied pulse is relatively long or
when a current close to a direct current is used. A transistor is operated at a specified
temperature (either case temperature or ambient temperature) by applying the specified VCE
and IC with the base and emitter terminals forward-biased. The parameter measured by this
method is the operating time required until IC fluctuates more than ±10% or exceeds the
specified final value. This measurement is repeated to obtain the operating time at many
IC-VCE points. A plot of this parameter on the IC-VCE curve provides an SOA locus.
IC R1
A
+
+
Terminal conditions

VCC VCE
VCE － 0
V RE VCE
S2 S1
IC V
IE RE RL IC
+
S1
VCC A A
D
D － + －
VBE DUT
V V VCB

－ VCC = 2 (VCB) +
VEE = 5 (VBE)
D : S/B detection and D : Detection and protection
protection circuit circuit
S1, S2 : Switches controlled by S1 : Switch controlled by a signal
signals from D from D

Figure 1.11 Figure 1.12 Figure 1.13

DC-supplied Pulse-supplied secondary Forward-bias SOA test
secondary breakdown method circuit (TS/B method)
breakdown method (pulse to be applied
between emitter and
base)
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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

(2) Latching method

The latching method places a transistor in the saturation region under the specified
constant-current or inductive load conditions in order to determine whether the operating
waveform lies within the safe operating area. This method can be used to observe oscillation
and other phenomena that occur when a transistor goes into secondary breakdown.

DUT

X
RBB1 RBB2 Clamping
Scope RL diode
－ Common RL RL
+
VBB1 VBB2 Y
+ －
L L
RS
+
VCC
－
VCC
RS = Load Load Load
20(IC )
condition A condition B condition C
(Non Inductive)

Figure 1.14 Reverse-bias SOA test circuit (latching method)

(3) Transient thermal resistance method (ΔVBE and ΔVCE method)

Since secondary breakdown occurs due to a local temperature rise in the junction of a
transistor, the triggering of secondary breakdown can be identified by measuring the
junction temperature. Figure 1.15 shows an example. The temperature coefficient of the
junction forward voltage is measured in advance. By measuring the difference in forward
voltage before and after the application of electric power, a rise in junction temperature and
thus transient thermal resistance can be obtained.
This method provides a narrower SOA compared with the two methods described above
and cannot be used to measure reverse-bias SOA.

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

Terminal at which VBE is measured

C2 Terminal at which IC is measured

IC 0
S 1 R1
+ － IF
R2 VCC
－
VEE C1 － R3 VF
ΔVBE
+ VBE 0
+
S2

ΔVBE: Temperature drop as a result of removal of the power supply

S1, S2: Switches activated depending on the conditions of the terminal at which V BE is measured

Figure 1.15 Transient thermal resistance method (ΔVBE method)

1.8. Forward-bias safe operating area (FBSOA)

Figure 1.16 and Figure 1.17 show examples of forward-bias SOA. The SOA shows the voltage
and current ranges over which a transistor is expected to operate without self-damage.
The DC areas shown in the SOA indicate the bounding voltage and current conditions for
continuous DC operation. In addition to the continuous rating, separate SOA curves are plotted for
short-duration pulse conditions. Pulsed operation provides greater allowable power dissipation
than DC operation, but is tolerated only for the period of time indicated.
As shown in Figure 1.16 and Figure 1.17, the low-voltage region is limited by thermal resistance
whereas the high-voltage region is limited by secondary breakdown. In the thermally limited
-1
region, PC is constant and hence I = PV . Therefore, the bounding line for the thermally limited
region has a degree of -45 degrees when plotted on a double logarithmic graph as shown in Figure
1.16.
However, the bounding line for the S/B-limited region deviates from the iso-power line of “PC =
const” and has an exponent ranging from -1.5 to -4, depending on the type of transistor. It should
–N
be noted that since IS/B = PV in this region, a transistor tolerates less power dissipation.

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

10 10
*
1ms * IC max (pulsed)
*
IC max (pulsed)
1ms *
IC max (DC)
10ms * 10ms *
IC max
(DC) 100ms *
100ms *

Collector Current, IC (A)

DC operation
Collector Current, IC (A)

1 (TC = 25°C) 1
DC operation
(TC = 25°C)
Thermally limited region
DC operation
S/Blimited region
(TC = 80°C)

DC operation
0.1 0.1
(TC = 100°C)

* Single non-repetitive pulse * Single non-repetitive pulse

The curves must be derated The curves must be derated
linearly with increases in linearly with increases in
temperature. VCEO temperature. VCEO
max max
0.01 0.01
1 10 100 1 10 100

Collector-Emitter Voltage, VCE (V) Collector-Emitter Voltage, VCE (V)

Figure 1.16 SOA for Transistor A Figure 1.17 SOA for Transistor B
and an example of SOA derated for and an example of SOA derated for
TC = 100°C TC = 80°C

The SOA becomes smaller as temperature rises. Therefore, the SOA must be derated as shown
in Figure 1.18. When temperature rises, the thermally limited region is far more affected by the
S/B-limited region. Figure 1.18 shows an example of derating curves for the S/B-limited and
thermally limited regions over the case temperature. Now, let’s consider the derating of the SOA
at TC = 100°C. Figure 1.16 shows that, at TC = 100°C, the thermally limited and S/B-limited SOA
curves are derated by 40% and 49% respectively. As a result, the SOA for DC operation is more
limited at TC = 100°C than at 25°C as indicated by the dashed line. For the transistor shown in
Figure 1.17, when VCE is low and in the thermally limited region, a derating curve for the thermally
limited region should be used.
The temperature derating of the S/B-limited region depends on the transistor structure as
shown in Figure 1.18. The derating curve for the S/B-limited region shown in Figure 1.18 should
be used when the S/B-limited SOA lies in the high-VCE region.
Take Transistor B of Figure 1.17 for example and let the derating percentage for the thermally
limited region at a case temperature (TC) of 80°C be dT. Then, dT is calculated as follows:

100
dT = ( Tj - TC ) (%) ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ (1–13)
Tj - 25

Substituting a maximum junction temperature of 150°C for Tj, dT is calculated to be 56%.

Suppose that Transistor B is a triple-diffused transistor. Then, Figure 1.18 (b) shows that, at

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

150°C, the S/B-limited region of the SOA must be derated by 50%.

2
Hence, dS/B = 5
( 150 - TC ) + 50 %. At TC = 80°C, dS/B is calculated to be 78%, In Figure

1.17, the SOA boundary derated at TC = 80°C is shown by the dashed line.

(a) Epitaxial transistors (b) Triple-diffused transistors

100 100
S / B Limited
S / B Limited
Derating rate (%)

Derating rate (%)

50 50
Thermal Limited
Thermal Limited

0 0
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200

TC (°C) TC (°C)

Figure 1.18 Examples of temperature derating of the safe operating area

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note
1.9. Reverse-bias safe operating area (RBSOA)
(a) Dependence on inductance L
The reverse-bias SOA is more difficult to
VBB2 = -4 V

Peak collector current (A)

determine than the forward-bias SOA. 10
RBB2 = 50 Ω
8 Typical
However, the reverse-bias SOA is as important
6
as the forward-bias SOA, because in switching
4 Minimum
circuits with an inductive load or DC-DC
2

converters, the base and emitter terminals of 0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
the transistor are frequently reverse-biased at
Inductance L (μH)
high voltage. (b) Dependence on the base resistor RBB2

Since the worst load condition is given by an VBB2 = -4 V

Peak collector current (A)

10 L = 125 μH
Typical
inductive load, the reverse-bias SOA is 8

generally obtained by using the load condition 6

4
C of the test circuit shown in Figure 1.14. Minimum
2
Figure 1.19 (a) shows the IC–L curves of a
0
transistor under the specified reverse-bias 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
RBB2 (Ω)
conditions. (c) Dependence on the base voltage VBB2

Figure 1.19 (b) and Figure 1.19 (c) show 12 RBB2 = 50 Ω

Peak collector current (A)

L = 125 μH
the IC-VBB2 and IC-RBB2 curves respectively. 10

8 Typical
For simple circuits with an inductive load,
6
Figure 1.19 can be used to measure the SOA. 4

For complicated circuits, however, it is 2

Minimum
0
necessary to calculate effective inductance -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
VBB2 (V)
and use the curves of Figure 1.20.
Figure 1.19 Examples of reverse-bias SOAs
However, it is extremely difficult to obtain an
Peak collector current (A)

SOA like the ones shown in Figure 1.19 VBB2 = 0 RBB2 = 220 Ω
L = 0.5 H
because it is no easy task to calculate effective
inductance in an actual circuit. At our A

company, the SOA is specified under the B

selected IC, L, RBB2, VBB2, and other conditions

for different transistor applications. 700 VCER(SUS)
Collector-emitter voltage, VCE (V)
Transistors whose load characteristics are
A peak collector current of 150 mA is applied, and the collector-emitter
outside the region shown in Figure 1.20 are voltage at which the collector current drops to 100 mA is measured (A in
the above figure).
regarded as defective.

Figure 1.20 Example of a reverse-bias SOA

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 Bipolar Transistors
Application Note

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