Optocoupler claims industry-leading fast switching and integrated IGBT protection function
The device is designed to drive IGBTs used in inverter devices for purposes such as motor control. The use of the new optocoupler facilitates the design of IGBT peripheral circuits and enables IGBT direct drive up to the 1,200 V and 100-A class. The compact 16-pin SOP contributes to system compactness.
An optocoupler integrates in a single package a light emitting element (LED) on the input side, which converts an electric signal into light, and a light receiving element on the output side, which converts light into an electric signal. It is an optical coupling device that completely isolates the input and output sides electrically by using light for signal transfer. Optocouplers are used in the inverter circuits of industrial equipment and in electric household appliances to protect the circuits between electronic devices and to shut out noise by electrically isolating the input and output blocks.
General-purpose inverters and inverters for solar power generation systems are a fundamental technology employed in recent years to reduce environmental impact by cutting carbon dioxide emissions and reducing power conversion loss to save energy. The market for these inverters is expected to continue to grow. The inverter circuit comprises a high-voltage circuit block incorporating power devices such as IGBTs or MOSFETs and a control circuit block employing components such as a microcontroller (MCU). Optocouplers designed for use with IGBTs or MOSFETs are needed to electrically isolate the two circuit blocks. An IGBT drive coupler is typically used for the drive control of an IGBT, but a protection circuit is also needed to safeguard the IGBT. This has tended to complicate the overall system design.
The PS9402 optocoupler simplifies system design and contributes to greater compactness by integrating the protection circuit that previously had to be added as an external component.
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