Isolated gate drivers cut latency by 50%

Silicon Labs has extended its portfolio of isolated gate drivers with the introduction of the Si823Hx/825xx devices that offer faster and safer switching, low latency, and high noise immunity capabilities. New improvements in these gate drivers enable closer placement to the power transistors on the PCB and the use of emerging technologies such as SiC, GaN, and fast Si FETs. They also help power converter designers meet or exceed energy efficiency standards and increasing size constraints.

Delivering lower latency, high noise immunity, fast switching, and an extended input voltage range, the new isolated gate drivers can be used across a variety of automotive, industrial, and renewable energy power applications. These include power supplies for data centers, micro inverters for solar power, traction inverters for the automotive market, and industrial power supplies.

Silicon Labs said key features of the Si823Hx/825xx family are specifically configured to support challenging power environments. These include a unique booster device to provide a higher source current for faster FET turn-on, and symmetric 4-A sink/source capabilities, translating into nearly double the source current of previous generation drivers to help reduce switching losses.

In addition, the isolated gate drivers cut latency in half with a maximum propagation delay of 30 ns that reduces the feedback loop delay for higher system efficiency, said Silicon Labs. The drivers also provide transient noise immunity improvements, an extended input voltage range (VDDIH) from 4.5 to 20 V, which allows for a direct interface with the power rail of typical analog controllers. Other features include over-temperature protection, dead time, overlap protection, and input noise de-glitch to maximize safety.

To meet space constraints, the Si823Hx/Si825xx gate drivers offer several package options, including an 8-pin package. The devices will be available in automotive grade in Q4 2020. The single Si823H9x-IS isolated gate drivers are priced at $1.89 each in quantities of 1,000. The HS/LS Si825xx-IS3 (20 V VDDIH) drivers are priced at $2.92 each in quantities of 1,000.