Patent Publication Number: US-2023163062-A1

Title: Power Module Having an Elevated Power Plane with an Integrated Signal Board and Process of Implementing the Same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/034,815, filed Sep. 28, 2020 now U.S. Pat. No. 11,574,859 issued Feb. 7, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, power modules are known in various forms. Power modules provide a physical containment for power components, usually power semiconductor devices. These power semiconductors are typically soldered or sintered on a power electronic substrate. The power module typically carries the power semiconductors, provides electrical and thermal contact, and includes electrical insulation. 
     Current trends in electrification are placing increasing demands on power modules including the power semiconductor devices, power electronics, and/or the like associated with the power modules. For example, improved efficiency, improved operation, and higher power density. These demands extend from the system level down to the component level. However, the area for implementing components within power modules is limited, which accordingly limits improvements to efficiency, improvements in operation, and increases in power density. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a power module configured to have improved efficiency, improved operation, a higher power density, and/or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One general aspect includes a power module, may include: at least one electrically conductive power substrate; a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate; and the power module may include at least one of the following: at least one elevated signal element electrically connected to the plurality of power devices and arranged above the at least one electrically conductive power substrate; and at least one elevated power plane electrically connected to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate, electrically connected to the plurality of power devices, and arranged vertically offset from the at least one electrically conductive power substrate. 
     One general aspect includes a process of configuring a power module, may include: providing at least one electrically conductive power substrate; arranging a plurality of power devices on and connecting the plurality of power devices to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate; and connecting at least one elevated power plane electrically to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate and electrically connecting the at least one elevated power plane electrically to the plurality of power devices, where the at least one elevated power plane is arranged vertically offset from the at least one electrically conductive power substrate. 
     One general aspect includes a power module, may include: at least one electrically conductive power substrate; a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate; at least one elevated signal element electrically connected to the plurality of power devices; and at least one elevated power plane electrically connected to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of power devices, where the at least one elevated power plane is arranged vertically offset from the at least one electrically conductive power substrate; and where the at least one elevated signal element is arranged vertically offset from the at least one elevated power plane. 
     One general aspect includes a power module, may include: at least one electrically conductive power substrate; a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate; and at least one elevated power plane electrically connected to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate, electrically connected to the plurality of power devices, and arranged vertically offset from the at least one electrically conductive power substrate. 
     Additional features, advantages, and aspects of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1 A  schematically illustrates a half-bridge based topology of a power module according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a current loop between DC link capacitors and switch positions inside of the power module of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  2    illustrates various interconnections and associated impedances according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates various interconnections and associated impedances of a switch position according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a top schematic view of a power module according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a plurality of single phase modules in a paralleled configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates a first power module configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates a second power module configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a plurality of power modules in a full bridge configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a plurality of power modules in a three-phase configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a single power module having a full bridge configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a partial perspective internal view of the power module according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a partial perspective internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates current flow through the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  21    illustrates current flow through the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a process of implementing a power module according to the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The aspects of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting aspects and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one aspect may be employed with other aspects as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the aspects of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and aspects herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     The disclosure is directed to a power module having an elevated power plane. The disclosure is further directed to a process of implementing a power module having an elevated power plane. The disclosure is further directed to a power module having an elevated signal board. The disclosure is further directed to a process of implementing a power module having an elevated signal board. The disclosure is further directed to a power module having an elevated power plane and an elevated signal board. The disclosure is further directed to a process of implementing a power module having an elevated power plane and an elevated signal board. The disclosure is further directed to a power module having an elevated power plane with an integrated signal board. The disclosure is further directed to a process of implementing a power module having an elevated power plane with an integrated signal board. 
     The disclosed power module may be configured to evenly distribute current between large arrays of devices with a significantly lower loop inductance than standard packaging approaches. The layout of the power module is highly configurable and may be configured to adopt most power circuit topologies common in the power electronics industry. 
     The power devices of the power module range in structure and purpose. The term ‘power device’ refers to various forms of transistors and diodes designed for high voltages and currents. The transistors may be controllable switches allowing for unidirectional or bidirectional current flow (depending on device type) while the diodes may allow for current flow in one direction and may not be controllable. The transistor types may include but are not limited to Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET), a Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET), Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), and the like. 
     This disclosure further describes a power module that may include structure optimized for state-of-the-art wide band gap power semiconductor devices such as Gallium Nitride (GaN), Silicon Carbide (SiC), and the like, which are capable of carrying high amounts of currents and voltages and switching at increasingly faster speeds in comparison with established technologies. Conventional power electronic packages are limited in their functionality for these semiconductors, having internal layouts intended for silicon (Si) device technologies. 
     The power devices may include Wide Band Gap (WBG) semiconductors, including Gallium Nitride (GaN), Silicon Carbide (SiC), and the like, and offer numerous advantages over conventional Silicon (Si) as a material for the power devices. Nevertheless, various aspects of the disclosure may utilize Si type power devices and achieve a number of the benefits described herein. The key metrics of the WBG semiconductors may include one or more of the following non-limiting aspects: Higher voltage blocking, Higher current density, Higher temperature operation, Faster switching, Improved thermal performance, Lower on-resistance (reduced conduction losses), Lower turn-on and turn-off energies (reduced switching losses), and so on. It should be appreciated that these above-noted key metrics of the WBG semiconductors are not required and may not be the implemented in some aspects of the disclosure. To effectively utilize the WBG semiconductor devices, a power module (also referred to as a power package) is employed. 
     Present technology for power modules is heavily reliant on a single layer of ceramic insulation—metallized top and bottom using direct bond or active-metal braze copper of a similar thickness (i.e., the substrate)—providing: a top metal layer for patterning nodes of a circuit, a thermal conduit between the power devices and the baseplate, in addition to mechanical support for the power devices. 
     The top metal layer of the ceramic, where the power devices reside, is etched to route electrical current to and from the power devices without electrical shorting. These supply and return paths take up area and need to be routed around each other, and around other components, for the power module to properly function. As described by the disclosure, by placing an elevated and supported metal layer above the power devices utilizing the at least one elevated power plane  124  and/or at least one elevated signal element  118  as described herein, area is freed up on the substrate to add more power devices, additional components (e.g., thermal sensors, current sensors, capacitors, etc.), larger metal planes to carry more current, easier layout geometries, more flexibility on where parts are placed, or any combinations of these, resulting in a higher density power module package. 
     The elevated signal board utilizing the at least one elevated signal element  118  as described herein may be implemented using a standard printed circuit board (PCB), a stiffer insulated metal substrate (IMS) technology, other variations for high-voltage prototype modules, and/or the like. For example, other variations for high-voltage prototype modules may be implemented primarily for voltage isolation reasons to make the substrate layout simpler, allow for a higher power density module, and/or the like. 
     The integration of an elevated signal board and an elevated power plane utilizing the at least one elevated power plane  124  and/or the at least one elevated signal element  118  as described herein further simplifies the geometry of the original conducting plane on top of the substrate. This integration allows for more design flexibility in routing power and signal paths to the power devices. In addition, in an embodiment using an IMS or similar technology, where the signal paths are practically printed or laminated directly onto the power conductor, it can reduce overall part count and assembly complexity (and in some cases, reduces cost). Effectively, introducing an additional layer of metal into the power module can also increase the overall ampacity of the power module. 
     The added range of choice in signal and power path routing coupled with a greater range of choice for device layout/location can have added benefits in terms of allowing a lower device density or positioning for better thermal performance and for lower package inductances. 
     In the case of lowering package inductance, the layered planar geometry of the elevated power plane above the original substrate power plane provides a near ideal low inductance loop geometry (small conductor separation, short total path, and wide current path). 
     More specifically, the disclosure uses conducting plane(s), on a separate level elevated above that built into the ceramic substrates used to isolate the baseplate from the rest of the power module, to route either signal and/or power conduction. This “hoverboard” or “lifted” or “elevated” approach helps solve the problem of limited/finite substrate area for placing additional power devices, sensors, connectors, conductive power and signal paths, and so on by moving some of that functionality onto another elevated plane (i.e., from 2-D to 3-D) within the package. 
     One aspect of the disclosure may include a power module where the drain sides of the power die are connected electrically to the metallization of the substrate upon which they are mounted. The source wire bonds however are connected not to another pad of metal on the same ceramic substrate but instead are connected up to a layer of metal, for example, through holes in that plane above the die, which is in turn may be connected to (and perhaps may even be the same piece of metal as) the external power terminals of the power module. 
     One aspect of the disclosure may include a power module that includes, on at least one side, a printed circuit board (PCB) element resting atop the conductive power plane. This is to represent a way of routing the control and sensing signals on yet another conducting plane (or set of planes). This PCB could be mounted above the power plane, as illustrated in the Figures of the disclosure, or below. A similar circuit layer component (or an extension of the one shown) could also be arranged over another side of the power module, to provide control and/or sensing on that side of the power module. 
     One aspect of the disclosure may include a power module that includes an integrated version of the signal plane. The integrated version of the signal plane may be an embodiment where the circuit board layer was reduced to a thick film, printed, and/or laminated structure (such as an insulated metal substrate (IMS)) where the insulating and conducting layers of the circuit board are made/laid down/printed directly to a surface of the power plane. In the case of an IMS implementation, this would result in a single purchased part which would integrate the power and signal layers all in one. It may be positioned within the power module, then both the power and signal wire bonds could be placed. The whole structure could then be encapsulated, tested, and shipped. 
     It should be noted that the IMS may include a bottom metal layer, which is usually aluminum or copper, and is normally used as the baseplate and is thus at ground potential. However, in aspects of the disclosure the IMS bottom metal layer may be used in a novel way—as a high-current conductor and/or as a carrier of other internal circuits such as the Gate-Kelvin auxiliary terminal distribution network, or sensors such as temperature, current, or voltage. 
     Further aspects of the disclosure are related to the implementation of a power module wherein the drains of all the transistors, such as Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) dies (or collectors for Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs)) are electrically connected to a substrate&#39;s top metallization upon which they are mounted. The source power wire bonds, however, are not connected to another metal pad on the same ceramic substrate as is typical; but instead, they make an electrical connection to an elevated metal layer (e.g., in this case through holes placed in that elevated metal layer above the die, which is in turn connected—directly or indirectly—to the power module&#39;s external power terminals). 
     At one side of the power module a signal distribution element may be layered onto a thick metal conductive power plane. This represents a way of routing the auxiliary control and/or sensing signals on yet another conducting plane (or possibly multiple conducting planes). This signal distribution element structure would most likely be mounted above the power plane for ease in making wire bond electrical connections, but it is also possible to be below it if one or more advantages to that orientation exist in a given implementation. A similar integrated component may be implemented on another side of the power module to provide auxiliary control and/or sensing signals on that side. 
     An “integrated version” of the signal planes (e.g., one over the high-side and low-side switch positions) would be an embodiment wherein the lifted signal distribution element layer was reduced in practice to a thick film, printed, and/or laminated structure (e.g., such as an Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) circuit board technology, or flexible circuit technology) where the insulating and conducting layers of the circuit board are made/laid down/printed/adhered/placed directly into or onto the power plane surface. In the case of an IMS embodiment, this may result in a single purchased part, which may integrate the power and signal and/or control layers all in one. In one aspect, it may be physically positioned within the module first before placing both the power and signal wire bonds. Subsequently, the resulting structure may be encapsulated, lidded, end-of-line tested, and/or the like. 
     The integration of 1) an elevated low-power signal distribution element; and 2) an elevated high-power plane further simplifies the geometry, trace density, and increases the utilization of the original top conducting ceramic substrate plane. This integration would essentially depopulate/remove previously existing low-power and high-power elements from the top metallization plane enabling increased “real estate” for more power semiconductors (i.e., SiC MOSFETs, SiC Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes, SiC IGBTs, Si power MOSFETs, Si IGBTs, etc.). This would, in theory, allow increased ampacity for the same substrate footprint or allow the integration of other application circuits (e.g., temperature sensors, current sensors, etc.) This integration also allows the module designer more design flexibility in routing power and signal paths to the power semiconductor devices since adding one additional dimension (i.e., moving from 2-D to 3-D) enables additional design degrees of freedom. 
     In addition, in an embodiment using an IMS circuit board or like technology where the signal paths are printed or laminated directly into or onto the power conductor, an overall part count, assembly complexity, and cost may be reduced. 
     An opportunity also exists to place passive devices—such as gate or source resistors, capacitors, and/or the like—within some power modules utilizing an internal gate-source-Kelvin (GSK) printed circuit board. Integrating that low-power signal distribution circuit directly with a high-power conducting plane provides the opportunity to easily locate and connect sensors—such as temperature sensors or current sensors that otherwise either may not fit or be easily connected. Since the signal layers now lie directly above the power plane, it is much simpler to place and connect to an inductive, Hall Effect, and/or resistive shunt current sensor mounted directly around, on, or very near the lifted power plane. 
     In the case of a thermal sensor, these usually are placed directly on the top of the metallized ceramic substrate nearest the hottest power devices to sense the maximum temperature within the power module. This usually necessitates a list of design compromises due to incompatible voltages, sensor sizes, and connection routing paths. Having the integrated circuitry can greatly simplify the connection complexity either by reducing needed wire bond lengths or signal path space taken up on the power substrate, or by having the sensor mounted directly on the integrated circuit layer in a location closely coupled thermally to the heat-generating power devices (such as where the lifted power plane is connected to the substrate). 
     An important thing to note about the integrated signal layers is that some implementations of the disclosure allow for the signal layers to be bent out of plane either as a separate but connected element (like a flexible ribbon cable to make connection to other inner parts of or fed to components outside of the power module) or along bends made in the underlying power plane metal. Unlike the use of a standard planar circuit board, this flexibility allows for a much greater range of design options when it comes to routing and connecting either internal signal paths or to make external connections to gate driver boards for instance. 
     Lastly, applying some forethought to exactly when in the assembly process those bends are made, passive components (e.g., resistors, sensors, sockets, pins, blades, etc.) can be placed on the circuit and processed in bulk just as standard printed circuit boards and their components are populated in a highly automated way. This assembly step could possibly be outsourced to a standard board house at a very low cost and then bends could be added before or during final assembly. 
       FIG.  1 A  schematically illustrates a half-bridge based topology of a power module according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     In particular,  FIG.  1 A  illustrates a power module  100  implemented with a half-bridge based topology that may be considered a fundamental building block in many switching power converters. For motor drives, inverters, DC-DC converters, and/or the like these topologies are typically connected to a DC supply  112 , with DC link capacitors  102  as an intermediate connection between them. However, the power module  100  of the disclosure may be implemented without the DC link capacitors  102 . 
     The DC link capacitors  102  may act to filter ripple on the line and counter the effects of inductance in the current path. Two half-bridges in parallel may form a full-bridge, while three in parallel may form a three phase topology. The three phase topology is also often referred to as a six pack, signifying the six switch positions among the three phase legs. Moreover, other topologies are contemplated for the power module including common source, common drain, neutral point clamp, and/or the like. 
       FIG.  1 A  further illustrates the power module  100  having one or more switch positions  104 . The power module  100  may include a first terminal  106 , a second terminal  108 , and a third terminal  110 . 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates a current loop between the DC link capacitors  102  and switch positions  104  inside of the power module of  FIG.  1 A . The current loop  114  between the DC link capacitors  102  and the switch positions  104  inside of the power module  100  is crucially important in the system, having a significant influence in the switching performance of the semiconductors. 
     No system is perfect; for example, undesirable parasitic resistances, capacitances, and inductances are present in any electrical system. These impedances introduce detrimental effects on the performance and reliability unless they are reduced or mitigated. While a resistance and capacitance may be associated with each interconnection, the most influential for switching power devices may be the parasitic inductance. Higher inductances result in higher stored energy in the magnetic field, which causes voltage overshoots and ringing during switching transitions. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates various interconnections and associated impedances according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     For a power conversion system, such as the half-bridge configuration of the power module  100  presented in  FIG.  1 A , there are impedances  204  within each component including the DC link capacitors  102 , a bussing system, and the power module  100 , and the like and in the physical interconnections between them. This is depicted in  FIG.  2    for the inductance. More functional elements and associated impedances are often present in power converters; however, for switching performance this loop may be the most significant. 
     In most power converters, these inductances must be carefully accounted for in the system design. Often, this requires adding more of the DC link capacitors  102  or slowing down the switching speed to counter the parasitic effects. While effective, it results in a bulkier system (more large and heavy capacitors) with higher losses (due to a slower switching event where both high currents and voltages are present). 
     In power packages intended for Si devices, the turn-on and turn-off times typical of a Si IGBT are inherently slow enough that the inductances encountered in the internal power loop are sufficiently low. However, for extremely fast switching of wide band gap devices, such as SiC MOSFETs, the inductances in conventional packages can result in voltage overshoots of hundreds of volts. 
     These issues are further amplified due to the need to parallel many SiC devices together to reach high current levels in the power module  100 . A paralleled array of power switches and diodes in a variety of combinations (all switches, all diodes, interleaved diodes, edge diodes, etc.) is referred to as a ‘position’ or ‘switch position’. Each switch in the switch position  104  acts together as a single effective switch, increasing the amount of current the circuit can process or reducing the overall loss by lowering the effective resistance. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates various interconnections and associated impedances of a switch position according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     In a switch position  104 , each switch or power device  302  has its own individual current path in the structure. Each interconnection has an associated impedance  204 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . As further shown in  FIG.  3   , the switch position  104  may include any number of power devices  302  as indicated by the symbology shown at arrow  304 . Care must be taken to ensure that the effective current paths are equalized between the power devices  302 , such that they each see matched inductances. Otherwise, the current and voltages encountered during switching transitions may not be equivalently shared between the power devices  302  across a switch position  104 , unevenly stressing the components and increasing switching losses. This is exacerbated by thermal effects—uneven current loading and switching events create uneven heat rise, which results in a drift in semiconductor properties and more instability across a paralleled switch position  104 . 
     Conventional power packages are typically designed for a single Si IGBT, or a small number of these devices (usually 4 or less). Consequently, they are not suitable for paralleling large numbers of SiC MOSFETs and diodes (or similar wide band gap devices) in a manner which results in clean, well-controlled switching. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a top schematic view of a power module according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
     In particular, a half-bridge configuration of the power module  100  is illustrated in  FIG.  4   . The disclosed power module  100  addresses each of the previously listed concerns with a custom designed power layout and associated structure to facilitate most common bridge topologies with each switch position  104  possessing an equalized, low inductance current path. The first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and the third terminal  110  may be arranged such that the path to the external connections such as connections to the DC link capacitors  102  may have a correspondingly low inductance as well. For example, the connections may include connections to buss bars, which may include uncomplicated laminated buss bars requiring no bends or special design features as described in greater detail below. 
     A power terminal pin-out of a single half-bridge configuration of the power module  100  is depicted in  FIG.  4   . In this regard, the first terminal  106  may be the V+ terminal, the second terminal  108  may be the V− terminal, and the third terminal  110  may be an output terminal. However, the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and the third terminal  110  be configured to provide any type of terminal, terminal connection, terminal function, input function, output function, power function, and/or the like. The power module  100  may include signal terminals  502 ,  504 . The specific pin-out of the signal terminals  502 ,  504  may be modular and may be modified as necessary. The signal terminals  502 ,  504  may be implemented by signal pins for differential signal transfer. Of course, any number of signal pins and any number of signal terminals may be implemented to provide the functionality as described in conjunction with the disclosure. 
     Each switch position  104  may utilize a pair of pins with the signal terminals  502 ,  504  for the gate signal and a source kelvin for optimal control. The other pin pairs of the signal terminals  502 ,  504  may be used for an internal temperature sensor, overcurrent sensing, or for other diagnostic signals. It is contemplated that more or less pins and/or more or less signal terminals may also be added to if necessary, as long as they do not result in voltage isolation issues. In some aspects, the other diagnostic signals may be generated from diagnostic sensors that may include strain gauges sensing vibration, and the like. The diagnostic sensors can also determine humidity. Moreover, the diagnostic sensors may sense any environmental or device characteristic. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a plurality of single phase modules in a paralleled configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     In this regard, the power module  100  may be configured such that modularity is fundamental. A single phase configuration of the power module  100  may be easily paralleled to reach higher currents. As is illustrated in  FIG.  5   , three power modules  100  are illustrated, but there is no limit to how many could be configured in this manner. In this regard, an arrow  510  shows that additional configurations of power module  100  may be arranged in parallel. When paralleled, each of the corresponding ones of the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and the third terminal  110  may be electrically connected between each of the power modules  100 . 
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates a first power module configuration according to aspects of the disclosure; and  FIG.  6 B  illustrates a second power module configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     With reference to  FIG.  6 A  and  FIG.  6 B , the power module  100  may be configured such that scalability of the disclosed power modules  100  may be utilized and accordingly may be another defining feature. This is depicted in  FIG.  6 A  and  FIG.  6 B . As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the power module  100  width may be extended to accommodate more devices for each switch position  104  in comparison to the power module  100  shown in  FIG.  6 A . It is important to note that the power modules  100  may be as shown in  FIG.  5    or may be scaled as shown in  FIG.  6 B  to match most power levels without sacrificing the benefits of this disclosure including, for example, low inductance, clean switching, high power density, and/or the like. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates power modules in a full bridge configuration according to aspects of the disclosure;  FIG.  8    illustrates a power module in a three-phase configuration according to aspects of the disclosure; and  FIG.  9    illustrates a single power module having a full bridge configuration according to aspects of the disclosure. In some aspects, modularity may also be found in the formation of various electrical topologies, such as  FIG.  7    for a full-bridge configuration of two of the power modules  100  and  FIG.  8    for a three-phase configuration of three of the power modules  100 . For these topologies, the first terminal  106  may function as the V+ terminal, the second terminal  108  may function as V− terminal and may be interconnected while the phase output terminals implemented by the third terminal  110  may remain separate. The configuration of  FIG.  7    and  FIG.  8    may also be placed in a single housing and may be configured with a shared base plate as illustrated in  FIG.  9   , which may increase power density with the possible tradeoff of higher unit complexity and cost. 
     While the various arrangements, configurations, and scaled width versions of the power module  100  cover a range of applications and power levels, the core internal components and layouts may remain identical, may match, may be duplicated, and/or the like. This reinforces the beneficial modular nature of the disclosed power module  100 . This structure encompasses a family of modules showcasing a high level of performance while being easy to use and to grow with a range of customer specific systems. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a partial perspective internal view of the power module according to aspects of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a partial perspective internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  11   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  10    illustrates a number of internal elements in the power module  100 . The internal elements of the power module  100  may include one or more of a base plate  602 , one or more power substrates  606 , the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , the third terminal  110 , one or more switch positions  104 , the power devices  302 , the signal terminals  502 ,  504 , and/or the like. Moreover, it is contemplated that the power module  100  may include more, fewer, or different elements than those described herein. 
     Additionally, the power module  100  may include at least one elevated signal element  118  and/or at least one elevated power plane  124 . In particular, the power module  100  may include implementations that include the at least one elevated signal element  118  without an implementation of the at least one elevated power plane  124 ; the power module  100  may include implementations that include the at least one elevated power plane  124  without an implementation of the at least one elevated signal element  118 ; and the power module  100  may include implementations that include the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124 . Additionally, the power module  100  may include implementations that include the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124  that may be separate structures, separate connected structures, separate directly connected structures, combined structures, and/or integrated structures. 
     In particular, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include a first elevated signal element  120  and a second elevated signal element  122 . However, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include any number of elevated signal elements. In one aspect, the first elevated signal element  120  may be arranged above a first one of the one or more power substrates  606  and/or a first one of the switch positions  104 ; and the second elevated signal element  122  may be arranged above a second one of the one or more power substrates  606  and/or a second one of the switch positions  104 . It should be noted that the relative term “above” as used herein describes a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the relative term “above” is intended to encompass different positions and/or orientations of the elements in addition to the positions and/or orientations depicted in the figures. In this regard, the relative term “above” as used herein may describe a vertical arrangement, a vertical offset, a relative vertical positioning, a spatial arrangement, a spatial offset, a relative spatial positioning, and/or the like of the elements that may not be limited to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
     The at least one elevated power plane  124  may include a first elevated power plane  126 , a second elevated power plane  128 , and a third elevated power plane  130 . However, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may include any number of elevated power planes. In one aspect, the first elevated power plane  126  may be arranged above the first one of one or more power substrates  606  and/or the first one of the switch positions  104 ; and the second elevated power plane  128  may be arranged above the second one of one or more power substrates  606  and/or the second one of the switch positions  104 . In one aspect, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may include insulating materials, insulating layers, and/or the like. In one aspect, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends the majority of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. In particular aspects, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends 60%-100%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and/or 90%-100% of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. 
     In this regard, by placing the at least one elevated power plane  124  and the at least one elevated signal element  118  above the power devices  302 , area may be freed up on the power substrates  606  to add more power devices, additional components (e.g., thermal sensors, current sensors, capacitors, etc.), larger metal planes to carry more current, easier layout geometries, more flexibility on where parts are placed, and/or the like resulting in a higher density power module package for the power module  100 . 
     The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be implemented using a standard printed circuit board (PCB), a stiffer insulated metal substrate (IMS) technology, other variations for high-voltage prototype modules, and/or the like. For example, other variations for high-voltage prototype modules may be implemented primarily for voltage isolation reasons to make the substrate layout simpler, allow for a higher power density module, and/or the like the like. In one aspect, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include insulating materials, insulating layers, and/or the like. 
     An integration of the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124  further simplifies a geometry of the conducting plane on top of the power substrates  606 . This integration allows for more design flexibility in routing power and signal paths to the power devices  302 . In addition, in an embodiment using an IMS configuration or similar technology, where the signal paths are practically printed or laminated directly onto the at least one elevated power plane  124  can reduce overall part count and assembly complexity (and in some cases, reduces cost). Effectively, introducing an additional layer of metal into the power module  100  can also increase the overall ampacity of the power module  100 . 
     The added range of choice in signal and power path routing with the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124  of the disclosure coupled with a greater range of choice for device layout/location can have added benefits in terms of allowing a lower device density or positioning for better thermal performance and for lower package inductances. 
     In the case of lowering package inductance, the layered planar geometry of the at least one elevated power plane  124  above the power substrates  606  provides a near ideal low inductance loop geometry (small conductor separation, short total path, and wide current path). 
     More specifically, the disclosure uses the at least one elevated power plane  124  and/or the at least one elevated signal element  118  as conducting plane(s), on a separate level elevated above the base plate  602  and/or the power substrates  606  to isolate the base plate  602  from the rest of the power module  100 , to route either signal and/or power conduction. 
     The at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124  may be implemented with a “hoverboard” or “lifted” or “elevated” configuration or approach, which helps solve the problem of limited/finite area of the base plate  602  and/or the power substrates  606  for placing additional power devices, sensors, connectors, conductive power and signal paths, and so on by moving some of that functionality onto another elevated plane (i.e., from 2-D to 3-D) utilizing the at least one elevated signal element  118  and/or the at least one elevated power plane  124  within the power module  100 . 
     One aspect of the disclosure may include a power module  100  where the drain sides of the power devices  302  are connected electrically to a metallization of the power substrates  606  upon which the power devices  302  are mounted. Power connections  628  may be connected up to a layer of metal implemented by the at least one elevated power plane  124 , for example, through square holes in the at least one elevated power plane  124  above the power devices  302 , which is in turn may be connected to (and perhaps may even be the same piece of metal as) the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , or the third terminal  110  of the power module  100 . 
     One aspect of the disclosure may include the power module  100  implementing the at least one elevated signal element  118  above, vertically offset, on, directly on, below, directly below, spatially offset, and/or the like the at least one elevated power plane  124 . One aspect of the disclosure may include the power module  100  implementing the at least one elevated signal element  118  with and/or on at least one side a printed circuit board (PCB) element resting atop the at least one elevated power plane  124 . 
     One aspect of the disclosure may include an integrated version of the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124 . The integrated version of the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be an embodiment where the circuit board layer may be reduced to a thick film or printed or laminated structure (such as an insulated metal substrate (IMS)) where the insulating and conducting layers of the circuit board are made, laid down, printed directly to a surface of the at least one elevated power plane  124 . In the case of an IMS implementation, this may result in a single purchased part which would integrate the power and signal layers of the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124  all in one. It would be positioned within the power module  100 , then both signal connections  626  and the power connections  628  may be connected to the integrated configuration of the at least one elevated signal element  118  and the at least one elevated power plane  124 . 
     It should be noted that the at least one elevated signal element  118  may implement the IMS bottom metal layer, which is usually aluminum or copper, and which is normally used as the baseplate and is thus at ground potential. However, in aspects of the disclosure the at least one elevated signal element  118  may implement the IMS bottom metal layer in a novel way—as a high-current conductor and/or as a carrier of the Gate-Kelvin auxiliary terminal distribution network. 
     In one aspect, the power module  100  may implement the at least one elevated signal element  118  that may be layered onto a thick metal conductive power plane implementation of the at least one elevated power plane  124 . This represents a way of routing the auxiliary control and/or sensing signals of the power module  100  on yet another conducting plane (or possibly multiple conducting planes) that may include the at least one elevated signal element  118  and/or the at least one elevated power plane  124 . The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be mounted above the at least one elevated power plane  124  for ease in making wire bond electrical connections, but it is also possible if one or more advantages to that orientation are found. An “integrated version” of the signal planes (i.e., one over the high-side and low-side switch positions) would be an embodiment wherein the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be implemented as a thick film, printed, and/or laminated structure (e.g., such as an Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) circuit board technology) where the insulating and conducting layers of the circuit board of the at least one elevated signal element  118  are made/laid down/printed/adhered/placed directly into or onto the at least one elevated power plane  124 . In the case of an IMS embodiment, this may result in a single purchased part, which may integrate the power and signal and/or control layers all in one. In one aspect, it may be physically positioned within the module first before placing both the power and signal wire bonds. Subsequently, the resulting structure may be encapsulated, lidded, end-of-line tested, and/or the like. 
     The integration of 1) an elevated implementation of the at least one elevated signal element  118 ; and 2) an elevated implementation of the at least one elevated power plane  124  simplifies the geometry, trace density, and increases the utilization of the original top conducting ceramic substrate plane. This integration would essentially depopulate/remove previously existing low-power and high-power elements from the top metallization plane enabling increased “real estate” for more power semiconductors (i.e., SiC MOSFETs, SiC Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes, SiC IGBTs, Si power MOSFETs, Si IGBTs, etc.). This would, in theory, allow increased ampacity for the same substrate footprint or allow the integration of other application circuits (e.g., temperature sensors, current sensors, etc.) This integration also allows the module designer more design flexibility in routing power and signal paths to the power semiconductor devices since adding one additional dimension (i.e., moving from 2-D to 3-D) enables additional design degrees of freedom. 
     In addition, in an embodiment of the at least one elevated signal element  118  using an IMS circuit board or like technology where the signal paths are printed or laminated directly into or onto the power conductor, an overall part count, assembly complexity, and cost may be reduced. 
     An opportunity also exists to place passive devices—such as gate or source resistors, capacitors, and/or the like—within some power modules utilizing an internal gate-source-Kelvin (GSK) printed circuit board implementation of the at least one elevated signal element  118 . Integrating that low-power signal distribution circuit in the at least one elevated signal element  118  directly with a high-power conducting plane of the at least one elevated power plane  124  provides the opportunity to easily locate and connect sensors—such as temperature sensors or current sensors that otherwise either may not fit or be easily connected. Since the signal layers of the at least one elevated signal element  118  now lie directly above the at least one elevated power plane  124 , it is much simpler to place and connect to an inductive, Hall Effect, and/or resistive shunt current sensor mounted directly around, on, or very near the at least one elevated power plane  124 . 
     In the case of a thermal sensor, these usually are placed directly on the top of the metallized ceramic substrate nearest the hottest power devices to sense the maximum temperature within the power module. This usually necessitates a list of design compromises due to incompatible voltages, sensor sizes, and connection routing paths. Having the integrated circuitry can greatly simplify the connection complexity either by reducing needed wire bond lengths or signal path space taken up on the power substrate, or by having the sensor mounted directly on the integrated circuit layer in a location closely coupled thermally to the heat-generating power devices (such as where the lifted power plane is connected to the substrate). 
     An important thing to note about the integrated signal layers of the at least one elevated signal element  118  is that some implementations of the disclosure allow for the signal layers to be bent out of plane either as a separate but connected element (like a flexible ribbon cable to make connection to other inner parts of or fed to components outside of the power module) or along bends made in the underlying power plane metal. Unlike the use of a standard planar circuit board, this flexibility allows for a much greater range of design options when it comes to routing and connecting either internal signal paths or to make external connections to gate driver boards for instance. 
     Lastly, applying some forethought to exactly when in the assembly process those bends are made, passive components (e.g., resistors, sensors, sockets, pins, blades, etc.) can be placed on the circuit of the at least one elevated signal element  118  and processed in bulk just as standard printed circuit boards and their components are populated in a highly automated way. This assembly step could possibly be outsourced to a standard board house at a very low cost and then bends could be added before or during final assembly. 
     The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be a small signal circuit board facilitating electrical connection from signal contacts, the signal terminals  502 , the signal terminals  504 , and/or the like to the power devices  302 . The at least one elevated signal element  118  may allow for gate and source kelvin connection, as well as connection to additional nodes or internal sensing elements. 
     The at least one elevated signal element  118  may allow for individual gate resistors for each of the power devices  302 . The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be a printed circuit board, a ceramic circuit board, a flex circuit board, embedded metal strips, and/or the like arranged in the power module  100 . In one aspect, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include a plurality assemblies. In one aspect, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include a plurality assemblies, one for each switch position  104 . 
     The at least one elevated power plane  124  may connect or be part of one of the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110 . In particular, each of the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may connect and/or be part of a respective one of the at least one elevated power plane  124 . In this regard, a respective one of the at least one elevated power plane  124  together with a respective one of the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may create a high current path between an external system and the one or more power substrates  606 . In one aspect, the first terminal  106  may connect or be part of the first elevated power plane  126 , the second terminal  108  may be connected or be part of the second elevated power plane  128 , and the third terminal  110  may be connected or be part of the third elevated power plane  130 . 
     The at least one elevated power plane  124  and a respective one of the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may be fabricated from sheet metal through an etching process, a stamping operation, and/or the like. In one aspect, the at least one elevated power plane  124  together with a respective one of the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may be soldered, ultrasonically welded, or the like directly to the power substrate  606 . The at least one elevated power plane  124  may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, gold, and/or the like to protect the surfaces and improve solder-ability. 
     The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be implemented at least in part as a thick film isolation. The at least one elevated signal element  118  implemented as a thick film isolation may utilize a printed thick film dielectric directly on the at least one elevated power plane  124  and may provide voltage blocking. The signal connections  626  may be attached to the thick film isolation of the at least one elevated signal element  118  through an epoxy, directly soldered to a thin layer of metal thick film printed on top of the dielectric film, or the like. 
     In other aspects, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include suspension isolation. In this aspect, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be suspended a sufficient distance over the at least one elevated power plane  124  and attached to a housing of the power module  100 . In this regard, gel encapsulation filling the power module  100  may provide dielectric isolation. The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be configured to provide gate control and sense signals, which may factor prominently into switching performance of the power module  100  and may be of particular importance in a paralleled switch position  104 . The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be configured with signal loops that may be optimized in the power module  100  for high performance, robustness, and uniform current sharing. Similar to the power loops, the paths may be configured to be limited in length, wide in cross section, and the associated external components may be placed as physically close as possible to the signal terminals  502 ,  504 . 
     For a paralleled array of power devices  302  such as transistors, particularly MOSFETs, the timing and magnitude of the gate currents must be balanced to result in consistent turn-on and turn-off conditions. The at least one elevated signal element  118  of the power module  100  may utilize individual ballasting resistors that may be placed in close proximity to the gate of the power devices  302 , only separated by the gate wire bond, such the signal connections  626 . These components may be of a low resistance and aid in buffering a current flowing to each individual ones of the power devices  302 . These components act to decouple the gates of the power devices  302 , preventing oscillations and helping to ensure an equalized turn on signal for the paralleled configurations of the power devices  302 . A singular external resistor may be utilized and connected to these paralleled resistors for controlling the turn on speed of the switch position  104 . 
     The at least one elevated signal element  118  may implement the gate resistors in a number of different ways including a surface mount package, an integrated thick film layer, a printed thick film, a wire bondable chip, and/or the like depending on the application. 
     In particular, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be arranged on the at least one elevated power plane  124 . The at least one elevated signal element  118  may be connected to the signal terminals  502 ,  504 . These connections may be used for temperature measurement or other forms of internal sensing. In some aspects, the internal sensing may include diagnostic sensing that includes diagnostic signals that may be generated from diagnostic sensors that may include strain gauges sensing vibration, sensors sensing humidity, and the like. Moreover, the diagnostic sensors may sense any environmental or device characteristic. 
     This implementation of this signal loop or the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be implemented in any combination of paralleled configurations of the power devices  302  in the switch position  104 . Standard PCB board-to-board connectors may allow for a straightforward connection to external gate driver and control circuitry. 
     The power module  100  may include the base plate  602 . In one aspect, the base plate  602  may include a metal. In one aspect, the metal may include copper. The base plate  602  may provide structural support to the power module  100  as well as facilitating heat spreading for thermal management of the power module  100 . The base plate  602  may include a base metal, such as copper, aluminum, or the like, or a metal matrix composite (MMC) which may provide coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching to reduce thermally generated stress. In one aspect, the MMC material may be a composite of a high conductivity metal such as copper, aluminum, and the like, and either a low CTE metal such as molybdenum, beryllium, tungsten, and/or a nonmetal such as diamond, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, graphite, embedded pyrolytic graphite, or the like. Depending on the material, the base plate  602  may be formed by machining, casting, stamping, or the like. The base plate  602  may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, gold and/or the like, to protect surfaces of the base plate  602  and improve solder-ability. In one aspect, the base plate  602  may have a flat backside. In one aspect, the base plate  602  may have a convex profile to improve planarity after reflow. In one aspect, the base plate  602  may have pin fins for direct cooling. In one aspect, the base plate  602  may include insulating materials, insulating layers, and/or the like. 
     The power module  100  may include one or more power substrates  606 . The one or more power substrates  606  may provide electrical interconnection, voltage isolation, heat transfer, and the like for the power devices  302 . The one or more power substrates  606  may be constructed as a direct bond copper (DBC), an active metal braze (AMB), an insulated metal substrate (IMS), or the like. In the case of the IMS structure, the one or more power substrates  606  and the base plate  602  may be integrated as the same element. In some aspects, the one or more power substrates  606  may be attached to the base plate  602  with solder, thermally conductive epoxy, sintering or the like. In one aspect there may be two of the power substrates  606 , one for each switch position  104 . In one aspect, the power substrates  606  may include insulating materials, insulating layers, and/or the like. In one aspect, an electrically insulating layer that may also be highly thermally conductive may be utilized between the base plate  602  and the power substrates  606  that the power devices  302  are mechanically attached. Additionally, another electrically insulating material may surround the other components of the power module  100 . 
     The power module  100  may include one or more power contacts. A surface of one of the one or more power contacts may form the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110 . The one or more power contacts may be implemented by the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  and may create a high current path between an external system and the one or more power substrates  606 . The one or more edge power contacts implemented by the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may be fabricated from sheet metal through an etching process, a stamping operation, and/or the like. In one aspect, the one or more edge power contacts implemented by the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may be soldered, ultrasonically welded, and/or the like directly to the power substrate  606 . The one or more power contacts implemented by the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , and/or the third terminal  110  may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, gold, and/or the like to protect the surfaces and improve solder-ability. 
     With reference to  FIG.  12   , the power devices  302  may be located on the one or more power substrates  606 . Additionally, the power devices  302  may include power connections  628  that connect the power devices  302  to the at least one elevated power plane  124 . The upper pads on the power devices  302 , including the gate and the source, may be wire bonded to their respective locations with the power connections  628  and/or the signal connections  626  to the at least one elevated signal element  118 . The power connections  628  may include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, gold, copper, and/or the like materials implementing a wire construction, a ribbon construction, and/or the like, which may be ultrasonically welded, or the like at both feet, forming a conductive arch between two metal pads. The signal connections  626  may include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, gold, copper, and/or the like materials implementing a wire construction, a ribbon construction, and/or the like, which may be ultrasonically welded, or the like at both feet, forming a conductive arch between two metal pads. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  12   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  13    illustrates details of the first elevated power plane  126 . The first elevated power plane  126  may include the first terminal  106  and/or may connect to the first terminal  106 . The first elevated power plane  126  may further include one or more of a first power plane portion  150 , a second power plane portion  152 , a third power plane portion  154 , a fourth power plane portion  156 , a fifth power plane portion  158 , a sixth power plane portion  160 , and a seventh power plane portion  162 . 
     One or more of the first power plane portion  150 , the second power plane portion  152 , the third power plane portion  154 , the fourth power plane portion  156 , the fifth power plane portion  158 , the sixth power plane portion  160 , and the seventh power plane portion  162  may be connected with one or more connection portions which may be part of the first elevated power plane  126 . One or more of the first power plane portion  150 , the second power plane portion  152 , the third power plane portion  154 , the fourth power plane portion  156 , the fifth power plane portion  158 , the sixth power plane portion  160 , and the seventh power plane portion  162  may create a high current path between an external system and the one or more power substrates  606  and/or the power devices  302 , may be fabricated from sheet metal through an etching process, a stamping operation, and/or the like, and/or may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, gold, and/or the like to protect the surfaces and improve solder-ability. 
     The first power plane portion  150  may connect to or be part of the first terminal  106 . The first power plane portion  150  may be generally horizontal or extend generally parallel to the X axis as illustrated in  FIG.  13   . Generally is defined herein as being within 10°. 
     The first power plane portion  150  may connect to the second power plane portion  152 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The second power plane portion  152  may be arranged generally vertically or generally parallel to the Y axis. Moreover, the second power plane portion  152  may be vertically below the first power plane portion  150  and/or the first terminal  106 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. In particular aspects, the second power plane portion  152  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends 60%-100%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and/or 90%-100% of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. 
     The second power plane portion  152  may connect to the third power plane portion  154 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The third power plane portion  154  may be arranged at an angle with respect to the X axis, inclined with respect to the X axis, at an angle with respect to the y-axis, inclined with respect to the y-axis, and/or the like. Moreover, the third power plane portion  154  may be vertically below the second power plane portion  152 , the first power plane portion  150 , and/or the first terminal  106 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. In particular aspects, the third power plane portion  154  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends 60%-100%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and/or 90%-100% of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. 
     The third power plane portion  154  may connect to the fourth power plane portion  156 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The fourth power plane portion  156  may be arranged generally vertically or generally parallel to the Y axis. Moreover, the fourth power plane portion  156  may be vertically below the first power plane portion  150 , the second power plane portion  152 , the third power plane portion  154 , and/or the first terminal  106 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. In particular aspects, the fourth power plane portion  156  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends 60%-100%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and/or 90%-100% of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. 
     The fifth power plane portion  158  may connect to the fourth power plane portion  156 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The fifth power plane portion  158  may be arranged at an angle with respect to the X axis, inclined with respect to the X axis, at an angle with respect to the y-axis, inclined with respect to the y-axis, and/or the like. Moreover, the fifth power plane portion  158  may be vertically below the fourth power plane portion  156 , the third power plane portion  154 , the second power plane portion  152 , the first power plane portion  150 , and/or the first terminal  106 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. 
     The fifth power plane portion  158  may connect to the sixth power plane portion  160 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The sixth power plane portion  160  may be arranged generally parallel with the X axis, and/or generally parallel to an upper surface of the second the one or more power substrates  606 . Moreover, the sixth power plane portion  160  may be vertically below the fifth power plane portion  158 , the fourth power plane portion  156 , the third power plane portion  154 , the second power plane portion  152 , the first power plane portion  150 , and/or the first terminal  106 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. 
     The sixth power plane portion  160  may connect to the one or more power substrates  606 . In particular, the first power plane portion  150  may connect to the one or more power substrates  606  that is adjacent to the one or more power substrates  606  over which the seventh power plane portion  162  is positioned. In one aspect, the sixth power plane portion  160  may be split into feet to aid in the attach process to the one or more power substrates  606 . The sixth power plane portion  160  may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, and/or gold to protect the surfaces and improve solder-ability. 
     The fourth power plane portion  156  may connect to the seventh power plane portion  162 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The seventh power plane portion  162  may be arranged generally parallel with the X axis and/or generally horizontal. Moreover, the seventh power plane portion  162  may be vertically below the fourth power plane portion  156 , the third power plane portion  154 , the second power plane portion  152 , the first power plane portion  150 , and/or the first terminal  106 . The seventh power plane portion  162  may connect to the power connections  628 . The power connections  628  may also connect to the power devices  302 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  13   , the first elevated signal element  120  may be arranged above the seventh power plane portion  162  of the first elevated power plane  126 . In one aspect, the first elevated signal element  120  may be arranged above and separated from the seventh power plane portion  162  of the first elevated power plane  126 . In one aspect, the first elevated signal element  120  may be arranged above and on the seventh power plane portion  162  of the first elevated power plane  126 . In one aspect, the first elevated signal element  120  may be arranged above and directly on the seventh power plane portion  162  of the first elevated power plane  126 . However, in other aspects the first elevated signal element  120  may also be arranged below the seventh power plane portion  162 . In particular aspects, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends 60%-100%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and/or 90%-100% of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. 
     The power module  100  may further include one or more switch positions  104 . The one or more switch positions  104  may include the power devices  302  that may include any combination of controllable switches and diodes placed in parallel to meet requirements for current, voltage, and efficiency. The power devices  302  may be attached with solder, conductive epoxy, a sintering material, or the like. 
     The upper pads on the power devices  302 , including the gate and the source, may be wire bonded to their respective locations with the power connections  628  to a respective one of the at least one elevated power plane  124 . The power connections  628  may include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, gold, copper, and/or the like materials implementing a wire construction, a ribbon construction, and/or the like, which may be ultrasonically welded, or the like at both feet, forming a conductive arch between two metal pads. 
     The signal connections  626  may include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, gold, copper, and/or the like materials implementing a wire construction, a ribbon construction, and/or the like, which may be ultrasonically welded, or the like at both feet, forming a conductive arch between two metal pads. In some aspects, a diameter of a wire of the signal connections  626  may be smaller than the wire of the power connections  628 . 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  12   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  14    illustrates details of the second elevated power plane  128 . The second elevated power plane  128  may include the second terminal  108  and/or may connect to the second terminal  108 . The second elevated power plane  128  may further include one or more of a first power plane portion  150 , a second power plane portion  152 , a third power plane portion  154 , a fourth power plane portion  156 , a fifth power plane portion  158 , a sixth power plane portion  160 , and a seventh power plane portion  162 . 
     The configuration and operation of the second elevated power plane  128  implementing the first power plane portion  150 , the second power plane portion  152 , the third power plane portion  154 , the fourth power plane portion  156 , the fifth power plane portion  158 , the sixth power plane portion  160 , and the seventh power plane portion  162  may be consistent with the first elevated power plane  126  as described in conjunction with  FIG.  13   . However, some aspects of the second elevated power plane  128  may not include the fifth power plane portion  158  and/or the sixth power plane portion  160 . However, in other aspects, the second elevated power plane  128  may include the fifth power plane portion  158  and/or the sixth power plane portion  160 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  14   , the second elevated signal element  122  may be arranged above the seventh power plane portion  162  of the second elevated power plane  128 . In one aspect, the second elevated signal element  122  may be arranged above and separated from the seventh power plane portion  162  of the second elevated power plane  128 . In one aspect, the second elevated signal element  122  may be arranged above and on the seventh power plane portion  162  of the second elevated power plane  128 . In one aspect, the second elevated signal element  122  may be arranged above and directly on the seventh power plane portion  162  of the second elevated power plane  128 . However, in other aspects the second elevated signal element  122  may also be arranged below the seventh power plane portion  162 . 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a partial side view of the power module of  FIG.  12   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  15    illustrates details of the third elevated power plane  130 . The third elevated power plane  130  may include the second terminal  108  and/or may connect to the second terminal  108 . The third elevated power plane  130  may further include one or more of a first power plane portion  170 , a second power plane portion  172 , a third power plane portion  174 , a fourth power plane portion  176 , and a fifth power plane portion  178 . 
     One or more of the first power plane portion  170 , the second power plane portion  172 , the third power plane portion  174 , the fourth power plane portion  176 , and the fifth power plane portion  178  may be connected with one or more connection portions which may be part of the third elevated power plane  130 . One or more of the first power plane portion  170 , the second power plane portion  172 , the third power plane portion  174 , the fourth power plane portion  176 , and the fifth power plane portion  178  may create a high current path between an external system and the one or more power substrates  606  and/or the power devices  302 , may be fabricated from sheet metal through an etching process, a stamping operation, and/or the like, and/or may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, gold, and/or the like to protect the surfaces and/or improve solder-ability. 
     The first power plane portion  170  may connect to or be part of the second terminal  108 . The first power plane portion  170  may be generally horizontal or extend generally parallel to the X axis as illustrated in  FIG.  15   . Generally is defined herein as being within 10°. 
     The first power plane portion  170  may connect to the second power plane portion  172 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The second power plane portion  172  may be arranged generally vertically or generally parallel to the Y axis. Moreover, the second power plane portion  172  may be vertically below the first power plane portion  170  and/or the second terminal  108 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. 
     The second power plane portion  172  may connect to the third power plane portion  174 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The third power plane portion  174  may be arranged at an angle with respect to the X axis, inclined with respect to the X axis, at an angle with respect to the y-axis, inclined with respect to the y-axis, and/or the like. Moreover, the third power plane portion  174  may be vertically below the second power plane portion  172 , the first power plane portion  170 , and/or the second terminal  108 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. In particular aspects, the third power plane portion  174  may be formed of at least one planar structure that extends 60%-100%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and/or 90%-100% of the distance of a width of the power module  100  along the z-axis. 
     The third power plane portion  174  may connect to the fourth power plane portion  176 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The fourth power plane portion  176  may be arranged at an angle with respect to the X axis, inclined with respect to the X axis, at an angle with respect to the y-axis, inclined with respect to the y-axis, and/or the like. Moreover, the fourth power plane portion  176  may be vertically below the third power plane portion  174 , the second power plane portion  172 , the first power plane portion  170 , and/or the second terminal  108 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. 
     The fourth power plane portion  176  may connect to the fifth power plane portion  178 . In this regard, the connection may be a bend, a welded portion, a soldered portion, and/or the like. The fifth power plane portion  178  may be arranged generally parallel with the X axis, and/or generally parallel to an upper surface of the second the one or more power substrates  606 . Moreover, the fifth power plane portion  178  may be vertically below the fourth power plane portion  176 , the third power plane portion  174 , the second power plane portion  172 , the first power plane portion  170 , and/or the second terminal  108 . The connection may form an angle between the two different elements. The angle may be 20° to 160°, 20° to 60°, 60° to 100°, 100° to 140°, or 140° to 160° between the two different elements. 
     The fifth power plane portion  178  may connect to the one or more power substrates  606 . In particular, the first power plane portion  170  may connect to the one or more power substrates  606  that is adjacent to the one or more power substrates  606  over which the first elevated power plane  126  is positioned. In one aspect, the fifth power plane portion  178  may be split into feet to aid in the attach process to the one or more power substrates  606 . The fifth power plane portion  178  may have a metal plating, such as nickel, silver, and/or gold to protect the surfaces and improve solder-ability. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  16    illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the power devices  302  on one or more power substrates  606  of the power module  100 . Moreover,  FIG.  16    illustrates the arrangement of the first elevated power plane  126  over a first one of the one or more power substrates  606  and the power connections  628  extending from the power devices  302  to the second elevated power plane  128 . 
     Additionally, the power module  100  may include a plurality of windows  306  that may be arranged in the second elevated power plane  128  and the first elevated power plane  126 . In this regard, the plurality of windows  306  may be rounded, rectangular shaped, square-shaped, polygonal-shaped, and/or the like. In one aspect, for each of the power devices  302 , there may be a respective one of the plurality of windows  306 . In other aspects, more than one of the power devices  302  may be associated with a respective one of the plurality of windows  306 . The plurality of windows  306  are configured to allow the power connections  628  to extend vertically upward from the power devices  302  to the second elevated power plane  128  and/or the first elevated power plane  126 . The plurality of windows  306  are further configured to allow the signal connections  626  to extend vertically upward from the power devices  302  to the at least one elevated signal element  118 , the second elevated signal element  122 , and/or the first elevated signal element  120 . 
     Additionally, the power module  100  may include a plurality of the power devices  302 . In particular, for each of the one or more power substrates  606 , there may be a plurality of rows of the power devices  302  extending along the X axis; and for each of the one or more power substrates  606 , there may be a plurality of rows of the power devices  302  extending along the Y axis. As shown in  FIG.  16   , there may be four rows of the power devices  302  extending along the X axis; and for each of the one or more power substrates  606 , there may be three rows of the power devices  302  extending along the Y axis. However, there may any number of rows of the power devices  302  extending along the X axis; and for each of the one or more power substrates  606 , there may be any number of rows of the power devices  302  extending along the Y axis. This arrangement of the power devices  302  on the one or more power substrates  606  may be defined as an array of the power devices  302 . Additionally, there is no requirement that the power devices  302  be arranged in a rectangular grid or array; the power devices  302  may be distributed about a surface of the one or more power substrates  606  in any arrangement which affords an advantage to a desired property such as heat distribution, power distribution, inductance balancing, and/or similar. 
       FIG.  17    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  17    illustrates in detail the arrangement of the power devices  302 , the at least one elevated signal element  118 , and the plurality of windows  306 . In this regard,  FIG.  17    illustrates the power connections  628  extending up from the power devices  302  through the plurality of windows  306  to connect to the second elevated power plane  128  of the at least one elevated power plane  124  and/or the first elevated power plane  126  of the at least one elevated power plane  124 . 
     Additionally, the power module  100  may include a plurality of windows  308  that may be arranged in the at least one elevated signal element  118 . In this regard, the plurality of windows  308  may be rounded, rectangular shaped, square-shaped, polygonal-shaped, and/or the like. In one aspect, for each of the power devices  302 , there may be a respective one of the plurality of windows  308 . In other aspects, more than one of the power devices  302  may be associated with a respective one of the plurality of windows  308 . The plurality of windows  308  are configured to allow the signal connections  626  to extend vertically upward from the power devices  302  to the at least one elevated signal element  118 . As illustrated in  FIG.  17   , more than one of the power devices  302  may be associated with a respective one of the plurality of windows  308 . 
       FIG.  18    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  18    illustrates that the power module  100  may further include one or more sensors  610 . In particular, one or more sensors  610  may be arranged on or directly on the at least one elevated power plane  124 . In some aspects, one or more sensors  610  may be arranged on the sixth power plane portion  160 . The one or more sensors  610  may be attached with solder, conductive epoxy, a sintering material, and/or the like, to the at least one elevated power plane  124  and then may be connected to the at least one elevated signal element  118 . In particular, one or more sensors  610  may be arranged on the fifth power plane portion  158  of the at least one elevated power plane  124 . In certain aspects, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be arranged on the at least one elevated power plane  124  and may be connected to the at least one elevated signal element  118 . 
     In one aspect, one or more sensors  610  may be one or more temperature sensors and may be implemented with resistive temperature sensor elements and may be attached directly to the at least one elevated power plane  124 . In particular, one or more sensors  610  may be arranged on or directly on the at least one elevated power plane  124 . Other types of temperature sensors are contemplated as well including resistance temperature detectors (RDTs) type sensors, Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) type sensors, optical type sensors, thermistors, thermocouples, and the like. 
     Moreover, one or more sensors  610  may further include one or more diagnostic sensors that may include strain gauges sensing vibration, and the like. The diagnostic sensors can also determine humidity. Moreover, the diagnostic sensors may sense any environmental or device characteristic. One or more sensors  610  may additionally or alternatively be attached directly to the power substrate  606 . 
       FIG.  19    illustrates a partial internal view of the power module according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     In particular,  FIG.  19    illustrates another aspect of the power module  100 . The aspect of  FIG.  19    may include any one or more of the features of the disclosure. Additionally,  FIG.  9    illustrates that the second power plane portion  152  of the first elevated power plane  126  may extend generally vertically down to the seventh power plane portion  162  and connect to the seventh power plane portion  162 . Additionally,  FIG.  9    illustrates that the second power plane portion  172  of the third elevated power plane  130  may extend vertically downward to the third power plane portion  174  and connect to the third power plane portion  174 . Moreover,  FIG.  9    illustrates that the second power plane portion  152  of the second elevated power plane  128  extend generally vertically downward to the seventh power plane portion  162  and connect to the seventh power plane portion  162 . 
       FIG.  20    illustrates current flow through the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  20    illustrates an exemplary current flow through the power module  100  when the power devices  302  are accordingly controlled. In particular, the power devices  302  may be controlled for multiple variations of current flow through the power module  100 . Accordingly, the flow of current illustrated in  FIG.  20    is merely one of the many possible flows of current through the power module  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  20   , current may flow from the second terminal  108  through the third elevated power plane  130  to the rightmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . From the rightmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606 , the current will flow therethrough to the power devices  302  arranged on the rightmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . Thereafter, the current flows from the power devices  302  arranged on the rightmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606  up through the power connections  628  to the first elevated power plane  126  and thereafter to the leftmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . 
     The current then flows from the leftmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606  to the power devices  302  arranged on the leftmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . Thereafter, the current flows from the power devices  302  arranged on the leftmost configuration of one or more power substrates  606  through their respective ones of the power connections  628  to the second elevated power plane  128 , which flows to the third terminal  110 . 
       FIG.  21    illustrates current flow through the power module of  FIG.  10   . 
     In particular,  FIG.  21    illustrates an exemplary current flow through the power module  100  when the power devices  302  are accordingly controlled. In particular, the power devices  302  may be controlled for multiple variations of current flow through the power module  100 . Accordingly, the flow of current illustrated in  FIG.  21    is merely one of the many possible flows of current through the power module  100 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  21   , currents may flow from the third terminal  110  to the fourth power plane portion  156  and thereafter to the seventh power plane portion  162  which is arranged on the left most configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . Thereafter, the current may flow through the seventh power plane portion  162  to the power connections  628  down to the power devices  302  that are arranged on the left most configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . The current may then flow through the power devices  302  that are arranged on the left most configuration of the one or more power substrates  606  and into the left most configuration of one or more power substrates  606 . Thereafter, the current may flow through the left most configuration of one or more power substrates  606  to the fifth power plane portion  158  and subsequently to the first elevated power plane  126  and the first terminal  106 . 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG.  20    and  FIG.  21   , the power module  100  may be configured to evenly distribute current between large arrays of the power devices  302  with a significantly lower loop inductance than standard packaging approaches. The layout of the power module  100  is highly configurable and may be configured to adopt most power circuit topologies common in the power electronics industry. 
     In the case of lowering package inductance, the layered planar geometry of the at least one elevated power plane  124  above the power substrates  606  provides a near ideal low inductance loop geometry (small conductor separation, short total path, and wide current path). 
     To achieve a low internal inductance, the current paths of the power module  100  as illustrated in  FIG.  20    and  FIG.  21    may be wide, short in length, and overlap whenever possible to achieve flux cancellation. Flux cancellation occurs when the current traveling through the loop moves in opposing directions in close proximity, effectively counteracting their associated magnetic fields. A principal benefit of this module approach is that the entire width of the footprint is utilized for conduction. Module height may be minimized to reduce a length the current must travel through the structure. 
     Additionally, the power devices  302  may be placed in close proximity to the seventh power plane portion  162 , minimizing imbalances in their relative loop inductances and ensuring excellent thermal coupling. The identified path illustrated in  FIG.  20    in  FIG.  21    is low inductance, owing to the following factors:
         Low height of the module.   Close proximity of the power device  302  to the seventh power plane portion  162 , the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , the third terminal  110 , the at least one elevated power plane  124 , and/or the like   Tight packing of all functional elements.   Optimized paralleled implementations of the power connections  628  for each of the power devices  302 .   Even current sharing between the power devices  302 .   Flux cancellation when the current direction reverses in the low side switch position.       

     In all, this low inductance, high current interconnection structure may be necessary for and enabled by the disclosed power module design. Together, they form an effective and highly integrated low inductance path between the switch positions  104 . This structure allows for efficient, stable, and very high frequency switching of the power devices  302  such as wide band gap semiconductors. 
     These benefits, altogether, allow for lower switching losses, higher switching frequencies, improved controllability, and reduced EMI. Ultimately, this helps system designers achieve more power dense and robust power conversion systems. 
     With reference back to  FIG.  4   , the power module  100  may further include a housing  198  and/or the like. The housing  198  may be formed of a synthetic material. In one aspect, the housing  198  may be an injection molded plastic element. The housing  198  may provide electrical insulation, voltage creepage and clearance, structural support, and cavities for holding a voltage and moisture blocking encapsulation. In one aspect, the housing  198  may be formed in an injection molding process with reinforced high temperature plastic. The power module  100  and/or the housing  198  may include a gasket. The gasket may improve an encapsulation process by providing a liquid tight seal. In this regard, the power module  100  may include dielectric encapsulation within. The gasket may be injection molded, dispensed, or the like, and may be applied in a groove. 
     The power module  100  may further include captive fasteners. The captive fasteners may be hex nuts placed in the housing  198  and may be held captive underneath the edge power contacts, the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , the third terminal  110 , and/or the like after they are folded over. Other types of fasteners or connectors are contemplated to implement the captive fasteners. The captive fasteners may facilitate electrical connection to external buss bars or cables. The captive fasteners may be arranged such that when the power module  100  is bolted to buss bars, the captive fasteners and the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , the third terminal  110 , and/or the like are pulled upwards into the bussing, forming a better quality electrical connection. If the captive fasteners were affixed to the housing  198 , they could act to pull the bussing down into the power module  100 , which could form a poor connection due to the stiffness of the buss bars. 
     In one aspect, the housing  198  may include a lid and the housing  198  may include an aperture having a shape consistent with the external shape of the captive fasteners to prevent the captive fasteners from rotating. A corresponding fastener may be received by the captive fasteners. The corresponding fastener extending through a fastener hole in the first terminal  106 , the second terminal  108 , the third terminal  110 , and/or the like to facilitate electrical connection to external buss bars or cables. 
     The disclosed power modules  100  may include a cold plate. The cold plate may be a high performance liquid cold plate, heat sink, or the like, serving to transfer waste heat away from the power modules  100  to another place (liquid, air, etc.). 
     For a paralleled array of power devices  302  such as transistors, particularly MOSFETs, the timing and magnitude of the gate currents must be balanced to result in consistent turn-on and turn-off conditions. The power module  100  may utilize individual ballasting resistors that may be placed in close proximity to the gate of the power devices  302 , only separated by the gate wire bond. The individual ballasting resistors may be of low resistance and aid in buffering a current flowing to each individual ones of the power devices  302 . The individual ballasting resistors act to decouple the gates of the power devices  302 , preventing oscillations and helping to ensure an equalized turn on signal for the paralleled configurations of the power devices  302 . A singular external resistor may be utilized and connected to these paralleled resistors for controlling the turn on speed of the switch position  104 . In one aspect, a ballasting resistor may be associated with each power device  302 . In one aspect, an individual ballasting resistor may be associated with each individual ones of the power devices  302 . 
     In additional aspects, the power module  100  may utilize individual ballasting source Kelvin resistors that may be placed in close proximity to the source Kelvin connection of the power devices  302 . In one aspect, the source Kelvin resistors may only be separated by the source Kelvin wire bond. In one aspect, a source Kelvin resistor may be associated with each power device  302 . In one aspect, an individual source Kelvin resistor may be associated with each individual ones of the power devices  302 . The source Kelvin resistors may be of a low resistance and aid in buffering a current flowing to the source Kelvin connection of each of the individual ones of the power devices  302 . The source Kelvin resistors may act to decouple the source Kelvin connections of the power devices  302 , preventing oscillations and helping to ensure an equalized signal for the paralleled configurations of the power devices  302 . In particular aspects, the source Kelvin resistors may be configured and implemented to address any mismatch of the individual ones of the power devices  302 , a layout of the individual ones of the power devices  302 , and the like. 
     In particular aspects, the source Kelvin resistors may be configured and implemented to prevent or reduce feedback oscillation between the individual ones of the power devices  302 , dampen feedback oscillation between the individual ones of the power devices  302 , decouple the source Kelvin signals between the individual ones of the power devices  302 , inhibit current flowing between the source Kelvin signals for the individual ones of the power devices  302 , equalize current flowing between the source Kelvin signals for the individual ones of the power devices  302 , force current flowing through the individual ones of the power devices  302  to flow through a current path, and the like. Moreover, the source Kelvin resistors may reduce signaling inductance, ensure gate operation of the power devices  302  is not slowed, minimize gate/source over-voltage in the power devices  302 , and the like. 
     The source Kelvin resistors may be a surface mount package, an integrated thick film layer, printed thick film, a wire bondable chip, a “natural” resistance path (material/structure interface that adds resistance), or the like depending on the application. In one or more aspects, the resistance value of the source Kelvin resistors and the resistors may be equivalent. In one or more aspects, the resistance value of the source Kelvin resistors and the resistors may be different. 
     In one aspect, the power module  100  may be implemented in a wide variety of power topologies, including half-bridge, full-bridge, three phase, booster, chopper, DC-DC converters, and like arrangements and/or topologies. 
     In one aspect, the power module  100  may include a plurality of pin fins. In one aspect, the plurality of pin fins may be configured for transferring heat from one or more components of the power module  100 . In one aspect, the plurality of pin fins may be configured for cooling of one or more components of the power module  100 . In one aspect, the plurality of pin fins may be configured for direct cooling of one or more components of the power module  100 . In one aspect, the plurality of pin fins may be configured for direct cooling of one or more components of the power module  100  in conjunction with a cold plate. In one aspect, the plurality of pin fins may be configured for allowing coolant to pass through the pin fins. 
     In one aspect, the power module  100  may be inserted into an application, implemented with the application, configured with the application, or the like. The application may be a system implementing the power module  100 . The application may be a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, military systems, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, solar power panels, tidal power plants, and electric vehicles (EVs), a converter, and the like. 
     In particular, power module  100  may be implemented as a 3-phase inverter. In aspects, the inverter may be configured as two separate 3-phase inverters, one 3-phase inverter, one full-bridge, one half-bridge, and/or the like. In one aspect, the inverter may be configured with six dedicated half bridges. In one aspect, the above-noted configurations may be structured and arranged with connections outside of the inverter. In one aspect, the above-noted configurations may include different versions of the power module  100  and/or other assembly components. 
       FIG.  22    illustrates a process of implementing a power module according to the disclosure. 
     In particular,  FIG.  22    illustrates a process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) that relates to implementing, making, manufacturing, forming, and/or the like the power module  100  as described herein. It should be noted that the aspects of process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may be performed in a different order consistent with the aspects described herein. Moreover, the process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may be modified to have more or fewer processes consistent with the various aspects disclosed herein. 
     Initially, the process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may include providing at least one electrically conductive power substrate (box  402 ). More specifically, the one or more power substrates  606  may be constructed, configured, and/or arranged as described herein. 
     The one or more power substrates  606  may provide electrical interconnection, voltage isolation, heat transfer, and the like for the power devices  302 . The one or more power substrates  606  may be constructed as a direct bond copper (DBC), an active metal braze (AMB), an insulated metal substrate (IMS), or the like. In the case of the IMS structure, the one or more power substrates  606  and the base plate  602  may be integrated as the same element. In some aspects, the one or more power substrates  606  may be attached to the base plate  602  with solder, thermally conductive epoxy, sintering or the like. In one aspect there may be two of the power substrates  606 , one for each switch position  104 . In one aspect, the power substrates  606  may include insulating materials, insulating layers, and/or the like. 
     Further, the process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may include arranging a plurality of power devices on and connecting the plurality of power devices to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate (box  404 ). More specifically, the power devices  302  may be constructed, configured, and/or arranged as described herein on the one or more power substrates  606 . 
     The power devices  302  may be attached with solder, conductive epoxy, a sintering material, or the like. The power devices  302  may be distributed about a surface of the one or more power substrates  606  in any arrangement which affords an advantage to a desired property such as heat distribution, power distribution, inductance balancing, and/or similar. 
     Additionally, the process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may include connecting at least one elevated signal element electrically to the plurality of power devices (box  406 ). More specifically, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be constructed, configured, and/or arranged as described herein. Additionally, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be electrically connected to the power devices  302  by the signal connections  626 . 
     In particular, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include a first elevated signal element  120  and a second elevated signal element  122 . However, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may include any number of elevated signal elements. The signal connections  626  may extend vertically upward from the power devices  302  to the at least one elevated signal element  118 , the second elevated signal element  122 , and/or the first elevated signal element  120 . 
     Additionally, the process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may include connecting at least one elevated power plane electrically to the at least one electrically conductive power substrate and electrically connecting the at least one elevated power plane electrically to the plurality of power devices (box  408 ). More specifically, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may be constructed, configured, and/or arranged as described herein. Additionally, the at least one elevated power plane  124  may be electrically connected to the one or more power substrates  606 . In this regard, the at least one elevated power plane  124 , the first elevated power plane  126 , the second elevated power plane  128 , the third elevated power plane  130 , the fifth power plane portion  178 , the second elevated power plane  128 , the sixth power plane portion  160 , and/or the like may be connected to the one or more power substrates  606 . 
     Additionally, the at least one elevated power plane  124 , the first elevated power plane  126 , the second elevated power plane  128 , the third elevated power plane  130 , the seventh power plane portion  162 , and/or the like may be connected to the power devices  302  by the power connections  628 . 
     Additionally, the process of configuring a power module (box  400 ) may include additional processes consistent with the disclosure including the specification and Figures. 
     Accordingly, the disclosure has set forth a power module that includes an elevated and supported metal layer above the power devices where area is freed up on the substrate to add more power devices, additional components (e.g., thermal sensors, current sensors, capacitors, etc.), larger metal planes to carry more current, easier layout geometries, more flexibility on where parts are placed, or any combinations of these, resulting in a higher density power module package. Moreover, the disclosure has set forth a power module that makes the substrate layout simpler, allows for a higher power density module, and/or the like. 
     Additionally, the disclosure has set forth a power module with an elevated signal board and an elevated power plane that further simplifies the geometry of the conducting plane on top of the substrate. This integration allows for more design flexibility in routing power and signal paths to the power devices. Effectively, introducing an additional layer of metal into the power module can also increase the overall ampacity of the power module. The added range of choice in signal and power path routing coupled with a greater range of choice for device layout/location can have added benefits in terms of allowing a lower device density or positioning for better thermal performance and for lower package inductances. 
     Additionally, the disclosure has set forth a power module configured for lowering package inductance. In particular, the layered planar geometry of the elevated power plane above the substrate power plane provides a near ideal low inductance loop geometry (small conductor separation, short total path, and wide current path). 
     Accordingly, the disclosure has also set forth an improved power module  100  and associated system configured to address parasitic impedances, such as loop inductance, to increase stability, decrease switching losses, reduce EMI, and limit stresses on system components. 
     In particular, the disclosed power module  100  may be implemented in numerous topologies including a half-bridge configuration, a full-bridge configuration, a common source configuration, a common drain configuration, a neutral point clamp configuration, and a three-phase configuration. Applications of the power module  100  include motor drives, solar inverters, circuit breakers, protection circuits, DC-DC converters, and the like. 
     The power module  100  of the disclosure is adaptable for most systems within the power processing needs and size and weight restrictions specific for a given application. The power module design and system level structures described in the disclosure allow for a high level of power density and volumetric utilization to be achieved. 
     Additionally, various aspects of the disclosure may also apply to medium-voltage and high-voltage packages. For example, the packages may include hermetic, press pack-style (or “hockey puck”) packages. For example, packages that include various electrical components such packages having one or more rectifiers, one or more fast-recovery diodes, one or more thyristors and/or the like. 
     In this regard, applications of the disclosure utilizing such packaging technology has the following advantages over non-hermetic plastic housing modules: 1) a hermetic package suitable for all cooling options including direct liquid immersion (i.e., using engineered dielectric fluids); 2) more explosion and rupture resistant; 3) high thermal cycling resistance; 4) double-sided cooling may be possible; and 5) mechanically compatible with GTO thyristors and rectifiers allowing upgrading of existing equipment and designs to new SiC MOSFET, IGBT, or GTO technology. Also, press packs use bondless construction (i.e., mechanical pressure) for achieving high reliability electrical connections. These single-switch hermetic packages may then be stacked in series for higher voltage operation or in multilevel topologies. In one aspect, the packages may be connected in series to achieve higher voltages. 
     In one aspect, the medium-voltage and high-voltage packages may include one or more of the various aspects of the disclosure. In this regard, the electrical components may be arranged on the power substrates  606 . The at least one elevated power plane  124  may be arranged over the power substrates  606  and may include the power connections  628  to the electrical components. Additionally, the at least one elevated signal element  118  may be arranged over the power substrates  606  and may include the signal connections  626  to the electrical components. 
     Aspects of the disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which aspects of the disclosure are shown. It will be appreciated, however, that this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth above. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the various aspects described may be implemented separately. Moreover, one or more the various aspects described may be combined. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are used throughout this specification to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “top” or “bottom” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer or region to another element, layer or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
     Aspects of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. The thickness of layers and regions in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. Additionally, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. 
     In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical aspects of the disclosure and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims. 
     While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary aspects, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, aspects, applications or modifications of the disclosure. In this regard, the various aspects, features, components, elements, modules, arrangements, circuits, and the like are contemplated to be interchangeable, mixed, matched, combined, and the like. In this regard, the different features of the disclosure are modular and can be mixed and matched with each other.