New gate driver IC for IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs driving EV inverters

Renesas Electronics Corporation offers a new gate driver IC created to drive high-voltage power devices such as IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs for EV inverters.

Gate driver ICs are vital components to EV inverters, supplying an interface between the inverter control MCU and the IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs that supplies power to the inverter. They acquire control signals from the MCU in the low-voltage domain and transfer these signals to quickly turn power devices on and off in the high-voltage domain. To house the higher voltages of EV batteries, the RAJ2930004AGM has a built-in 3.75kVrms isolator, which is higher than the 2.5kVrms isolator in the last generation product and can support power devices with a withstand voltage up to 1200V. Also, the new driver IC provides superior CMTI performance at 150V/ns or higher, offering reliable communication and improved noise immunity while fulfilling the high voltages and fast switching speeds needed in inverter systems. The new product provides the basic functions of a gate driver in a small SOIC16 package, making it excellent for cost-effective inverter systems.

The device can be employed with the company's IGBTs and with IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs from other manufacturers. As well as traction inverters, the gate driver IC is excellent for various applications that use power semiconductors, such as onboard chargers and DC-DC converters. To assist developers in bringing their products to market quickly, the company provides the xEV Inverter Kit solution combining gate driver ICs with MCUs, IGBTs, and power management ICs. It plans to release a version including the new gate driver IC in the first half of 2023.

"Renesas is pleased to offer the second-generation gate driver IC for automotive applications with high isolation voltage and superior CMTI performance," said Akira Omichi, vice president of Renesas' Automotive Analog Application Specific Business Division. "We will continue to drive application development for EVs by offering solutions that minimise power loss and meet high levels of functional safety in our customers' systems."

This product will help increase EV adoption by realising cost-efficient inverters, thereby minimising environmental impacts.