Gate driver IC supports and protect 1700V IGBTs

The galvanically isolated, single-channel gate driver IC targets applications from 400 to 690V AC, including three-level topology inverters and supports IGBT blocking voltages up to 1700 V.

The IC can be used for the latest three-level topology photovoltaic inverters and for photovoltaic arrays leveraging the new 1500V DC bus standard, says the company. The expanded 1700V Scale-iDriver family is optimised for driving both IGBTs and MOSFETs. They combine the company's FluxLink magneto-inductive bi-directional communications technology and its Scale power device driver technology. FluxLink eliminates the need for unreliable opto-electronics and the associated compensation circuitry, says the company, to enhance operational stability and reduce system complexity. The Scale technology incorporates all key gate driver functions into an ASIC, reducing size, while simplifying design. The eSOP package features greater than 9.5mm of creepage and a CTI of 600,for a substantial operating voltage margin and high system reliability.

The ICs operate from -40 to +125°C and at frequencies of up to 75kHz. The family meets IEC 60747-17 and VDE 0884-17 requirements and also have desaturation (short-circuit) protection with advanced soft shut down (ASSD) for power switch protection.

The ICs deliver a gate current of up to 8A and support systems of over 110kW without an external booster, or up to 30A gate current and over 400kW with an external booster. Target applications are industrial drives, power supplies, photovoltaic inverters of all sizes, industrial HVAC, electric vehicle (EV) charging and traction equipment including commercial EVs.