Fully configurable digital gate driver for SiC MOSFETs
Microchip Technology has launched a digital gate driver for 1200V silicon carbide SiC MOSFETs that it says is the first that is fully configurable.
The AgileSwitch 2ASC-12A2HP 1200V dual-channel digital gate driver provides multiple levels of control and a higher level of protection for SiC MOSFET-based power systems. This includes the ability to dampen drain-source voltage (Vds) overshoots by up to 80 percent and cut switching losses by as much as half.
The 2ASC-12A2HP digital gate driver can source/sink up to 10A of peak current and includes an isolated DC-DC converter with low capacitance isolation barrier for pulse width modulation signals and fault feedback. The gate driver is compatible with the company’s latest release of the Intelligent Configuration Tool (ICT) that allows configuration of gate driver parameters including the gate switching profiles, system critical monitors and controller interface settings.
Tailoring the gate driver to specific applications without having to change hardware helps speed development time from evaluation through production and enables designers to change control parameters during the design process. The ICT, which is a free-of-charge download, can save designers approximately three to six months of development time on new designs.
“The societal trend toward electrification of all vehicles including buses, trains, trams and agriculture transportation hinges on innovative power electronic solutions to get more productivity from less energy,” said Leon Gross, vice president of Microchip’s discrete product business unit.
“When combined with our silicon carbide power devices, this gate driver technology enables engineers to achieve new levels of power density in transportation systems and industrial applications.”
In addition to commercial vehicles, other applications include charging infrastructure, energy storage systems, solar inverters and aircraft flight actuators.
The 2ASC-12A2HP gate driver is compatible with the company’s range of SiC power devices and modules and is interoperable with other manufacturers’ silicon carbide products. The combination of silicon carbide power modules and digital gate drivers enables designers to influence dynamic issues including voltage overshoot, switching losses and electromagnetic interference.
The AgileSwitch 2ASC-12A2HP digital gate driver is supported by the ICT including starter settings for many commercially-available silicon carbide switches. The gate driver also is supported by a family of module adapter boards to help designers connect to several different footprints, as well as the company’s Augmented Switching Accelerated Development Kits (ASDAK) that include gate drivers, module adapter boards, a programming kit and the ICT software for SiC MOSFET modules.
The AgileSwitch 2ASC-12A2HP digital gate driver is available now for volume production.
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