Condition monitoring of power module using S-parameters, TDR, and TDT

Condition monitoring of power electronics is gaining interest as power electronics expends to mission-critical applications. This paper offers a preliminary experimental study of the viability of using S-parameters and time-domain reflectometry measurements to monitor the degradation of a power module. To this end, measurements were performed on a standard high current power module which was artificially aged by cutting wire bonds one by one. The study demonstrates a clear trend in the evolution of measured parameters, and thereby the possibility to monitor the power module degradation under the specific test conditions. This opens a new condition monitoring technology for power electronics systems.