The SCALE-iDriver™ ICs, optimized for IGBT and MOSFET control, are the first products to bring the pioneering FluxLink™ bidirectional magneto-inductive technology to 1200 V control applications. FluxLink technology eliminates the need for unreliable optoelectronics and associated compensation circuitry, thereby improving operational stability while reducing system complexity. In addition to incorporating industry-leading isolation technology, the new gate drivers include advanced safety and system protection features commonly found in medium- and high-voltage applications, further enhancing product reliability. The innovative eSOP package features a 9.5 mm creepage distance and a CTI of 600, ensuring substantial operating voltage margin and high system reliability.
SCALE-iDriver single-channel gate driver ICs dramatically reduce the number of components for inverters up to 110 kW, saving space and bill of materials costs, and increasing design flexibility. By adding a simple, low-cost drive platform, it is now much faster to develop efficient, reliable, and compact inverter designs with power ratings up to 400 kW (15 A). The new devices comply with IEC 60664-1 and IEC 61800-5-1 standards and operate from -40°C to +125°C and at frequencies up to 250 kHz. They also feature Power Integrations' Advanced Soft Shut Down (ASSD) mechanism, which protects the power semiconductor switch in the event of a short circuit. ASSD is automatically activated by watchdog desaturation levels and requires no additional components.
Comments from Michael Hornkamp, Senior Director of High-Power Product Marketing at Power Integrations: "SCALE-iDriver ICs will revolutionize gate driver design. By combining Power Integrations' SCALE™ technology, which already incorporates all the key gate driver functions into an ASIC, with precise and fast FluxLink communication, we have increased performance and reliability by an order of magnitude compared to devices using optocouplers, isolated silicon-capacitive couplers, or magnetic couplers. Bidirectional communication results in fast, efficient, and accurate switching and minimizes signal jitter. The wide FluxLink isolation gap offers exceptional robustness, and the use of low-profile package technology allows for basic two-layer PCBs, reducing system size and costs.".
SCALE-iDriver meets the needs of applications in industrial drives, power supplies and UPS systems, photovoltaic inverters of all sizes, industrial HVAC, charging and traction equipment, including commercial electric vehicles. The SID1132K (2.5 A), SID1152K (5 A), and SID1182K (8 A) devices are available now at a price of $2.57 in quantities of 10,000 units. Reference designs RDHP-1608 (2.5 A, 5 A, and 8 A versions) and RDHP-1526 (15 A) and technical support for SCALE-iDriver integrated circuits are available on the Power Integrations website.
