Galvanically isolated gate driver ICs

Power Integrations unveiled a family of galvanically isolated single-channel gate driver ICs ranging in output current from 2.5 A to 8 A – the industry’s highest output current without an external booster. SCALE-iDriver™ ICs, optimized for driving both IGBTs and MOSFETs, are the first products to bring Power Integrations’ pioneering FluxLink™ magneto-inductive bi-directional communications technology to 1200 V driver applications. FluxLink technology eliminates the need for unreliable 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, further enhancing product reliability. The innovative eSOP package 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 dramatically 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 and requires no extra components.