New gate driver IC ideal for latest three-level topology photovoltaic inverters and arrays

Power Integrations has announced an expansion of its SCALE-iDriver family of galvanically isolated single-channel gate driver ICs. The new devices support IGBT blocking voltages up to 1700V, which are generally used in 400VAC and 690VAC line applications. They are also ideal for the latest three-level topology photovoltaic inverters and for photovoltaic arrays leveraging the new 1500 V DC bus standard. The expanded 1700 V SCALE-iDriver family allows OEMs to use the same highly integrated, safe and reliable driver technology across a range of solutions. The ICs, optimized for driving both IGBTs and MOSFETs, combine The company’s pioneering FluxLink magneto-inductive bi-directional communications technology with its SCALE power device driver technology. FluxLink eliminates the need for unreliable opto-electronics and the associated compensation circuitry, thereby enhancing operational stability while reducing system complexity, and SCALE technology incorporates all key gate driver functions into an ASIC, reducing size and improving reliability while simplifying design. Innovative eSOP package features greater than 9.5mm of creepage and a CTI of 600, ensuring substantial operating voltage margin and high system reliability. The ICs can be operated from -40C to +125C and at frequencies of up to 75kHz. The family meets the upcoming requirements of IEC 60747-17 and VDE 0884-17. Devices feature desaturation (short-circuit) protection with ASSD functionality, providing reliable and easy-to-implement protection to the power switch. Comments Michael Hornkamp, senior director of marketing for high-power products at Power Integrations: “With the launch of our new 1700 V SCALE-iDriver ICs, manufacturers can use the same platform across all applications – from 400 VAC to 690 VAC line – simplifying their design process. FluxLink technology supercedes commonly used but problematic optocouplers and SCALE technology ensures compact, robust and reliable designs that are simple and quick to create.”