Supporting EV designs with new AEC-Q100 certified flyback switcher ICs

Power Integrations has announced that its automotive-qualified InnoSwitch3-AQ flyback switcher IC family is now available with a member rated to 900V, providing greater headroom for 400V and 800V EV inverter, battery management and climate control applications. The device family unites primary and secondary controllers plus safety-rated feedback circuitry into a single IC. This enables accurate output voltage regulation, low component count and configuration options for operation across the ultra-wide input voltage range of 30V to 1200V.

Edward Ong, senior product marketing manager at Power Integrations, said: “New 400V system designs for electric vehicles require higher operating voltages to account for fault conditions and transients. The new 900V INN3996CQ ICs provide plenty of voltage headroom and meet the Automotive Electronics Council strict requirements for qualification, ensuring safe and reliable operation in the demanding automotive application. Using a StackFET approach, the new device is suitable for 900V and greater bus designs.”

The constant voltage regulated switcher ICs achieve up to 90% efficiency over the load range and use less than 15mW under no-load conditions. Output power is up to 20W at 85C ambient temperature and 400VDC input for the 900V family. Devices include a multi-mode QR/CCM/DCM flyback controller, 900V switch, and the company's high-speed FluxLink communications link that facilitates accurate regulation in the compact InSOP24 package and gives reinforced isolation up to 5500m altitude. The ICs operate down to 30VDC, allowing automotive designers to utilise the device in traction inverter emergency power supply applications.

The family devices incorporate multiple protection features for automotive applications, including input over-voltage and under-voltage protection, output over-voltage and over-current limiting, and over-temperature shutdown.