Littelfuse, Allegro Microsystems, and Power Integrations Unveil Advanced Gate Drivers for Enhanced Industrial Design Compatibility
As clean energy and smart home systems advance in capability, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly seeking flexible electronic components to maximize product efficiency. Gate drivers play a crucial role in managing the switching of high-power semiconductor devices, providing essential isolation to protect sensitive control circuits and incorporating features to prevent damage. Recent innovations from Littelfuse, Allegro Microsystems, and Power Integrations address these challenges, enhancing interoperability in complex industrial systems.
Littelfuse: Optimized for SiC MOSFETs and IGBTs
Littelfuse recently introduced the IX4352NE, a 16-pin SOIC gate driver designed specifically for silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET and high-power insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) applications in industrial systems. SiC MOSFETs and IGBTs are known for their high-temperature endurance and faster switching speeds. The IX4352NE features separate 9-A source and sink outputs, enabling precise control of the gate drive’s turn-on and turn-off timing, thereby reducing switching losses and improving efficiency.
The separate source and sink outputs also help minimize crosstalk, reducing noise and enhancing circuit predictability. Users can adjust the current allocation between the source and sink as needed. Additionally, the IX4352NE includes built-in protection features such as open-drain FAULT signals, which can notify a microcontroller of fault conditions. A notable enhancement is its thermal shutdown feature, which triggers specific pins, including the FAULT pin, when the internal junction temperature reaches approximately 160°C.
Allegro Microsystems: Enhanced System Design with Dual Chipsets
Allegro Microsystems has launched new gate drivers as part of its Power-Thru portfolio, designed to interface with external transformers in customer designs. The AHV85000 and AHV85040 dual chipset series facilitate the transmission of both the PWM signal and gate bias power through an external transformer, eliminating the need for an auxiliary gate drive bias supply or high-side bootstrap.
This innovation simplifies system design and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) by lowering total common-mode (CM) capacitance. It also allows for the operation of a floating switch at any point within a switching power topology. The chipsets come in compact 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages, streamlining integration into various designs.
Power Integrations: Compact, High-Performance Modules
Power Integrations has introduced the SCALE-iFlex XLT family of low-cost, dual-channel gate drivers. These single-board, plug-and-play modules, despite their compact size, can handle operating voltages up to 1,600 V from primary to secondary side. They are compatible with Mitsubishi’s single LV100, Infineon’s XHP 2, Fuji Electric’s HPnC, and equivalent semiconductor modules with up to 2,300 V blocking voltage.
These drivers support active thermal management of inverter modules, reducing the bill of materials (BOM) and enhancing reliability. The family also features Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) data reporting, allowing for isolated temperature measurements of the power module, which aids in precise thermal management of converter systems. This feature can boost converter power by 25–30%, eliminating the need for multiple connectors, cables, and extra isolation barrier crossing circuits.
Power Integrations highlights that this family is particularly suited for applications in wind energy and energy storage solutions.
Setting a New Standard
With the rapid growth of AI and its associated energy demands, the advanced gate driver technologies from Littelfuse, Allegro Microsystems, and Power Integrations are poised to set a new industry standard. These innovations promise to enhance efficiency, reliability, and integration in complex industrial and energy systems.
