Isolated driver for IGBTs and MOSFETs, to 1200V and 8A drive
In 2012 PI acquired Swiss company CT-Concept Technologie (Concept), a specialist in driving high-power semiconductor switches, especially IGBTs. Separately, recent introductions in its lower-power off-line converter ICs have features FluxLink, an isolation/feedback mechanism that is fundamentally a single-turn transformer contained within a single IC package
Combining the two yield these driver ICs; FluxLink is extended to support two-way communication across the isolation barrier (drive waveforms in one direction/fault diagnostics in the reverse diretion). The galvanically isolated single-channel gate driver ICs ranging in output current from 2.5A to 8A – claimed as the highest output current without an external booster. FluxLink technology eliminates the need for opto-electronics and the associated compensation circuitry, thereby enhancing operational stability while reducing system complexity. In addition to combining industry-leading isolation technology, the new gate drivers incorporate advanced system safety and protection features commonly found in medium- and high-voltage applications. The eSOP package, designed to be surface-mounted across the isolation barrier in a power design features 9.5 mm of creepage and a CTI of 600, ensuring substantial operating voltage margin and high system reliability.
SCALE-iDriver single-channel gate driver ICs reduce component count for inverters up to 110 kW, saving space and BOM cost and increasing design flexibility. With the addition of a simple, low-cost booster stage, it is now far quicker to develop efficient, space-saving, reliable inverter designs rated up to 400 kW (15 A). The new devices meet the IEC 60664-1 and IEC 61800-5-1 standards, and operate from -40 °C to +125 °C and at frequencies of up to 250 kHz. They also feature Power Integrations’ Advanced Soft Shut Down (ASSD) mechanism that protects the power semiconductor switch in the event of a short circuit. ASSD is automatically triggered by monitoring desaturation levels (comparing actual power-device surrents with those expected for the amount of drive applied) and requires no extra components.
The company adds,: “SCALE-iDriver ICs will revolutionize gate driver design…bi-directional communication results in fast, efficient, accurate switching and minimizes signal jitter. The wide FluxLink isolation gap delivers exceptional robustness, and the use of low-profile packaging technology enables basic two-layer PCBs to be used, reducing size and system cost.”
SCALE-iDriver ICs suit applications in industrial drives, power supplies and UPS, photovoltaic inverters of all sizes, industrial HVAC, EV charging and traction equipment including commercial EVs. SID1132K (2.5 A), SID1152K (5 A), SID1182K (8 A) devices are available and priced at $2.57 (10,000). Reference designs RDHP-1608 (2.5 A, 5 A and 8 A versions) and RDHP-1526 (15 A) and technical support for SCALE-iDriver ICs are also available.
Power Integrations; www.power.com/products/scale-idriver/
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