New wide-creepage switcher IC for automotive applications

Power Integrations has introduced a wide-creepage package option for its InnoSwitch3-AQ flyback switcher IC for automotive applications. A wide drain-to-source-pin creepage distance of 5.1mm eradicates the necessity for conformal coating, making the IC compliant with the IEC60664-1 standard in 800V vehicles while simplifying manufacturing and increasing system reliability.

Mike Stroka, product marketing engineer at Power Integrations, said: “Automotive designers rely on the efficiency and low component count of high-voltage power supplies designed around InnoSwitch3-AQ ICs. The increased primary-to-primary creepage and clearance distance between the drain and source pins in the new package provides support for the next generation of EV bus voltages. Power Integrations’ unique InSOP-28G package enables 1000 VDC to be provided to the primary side while keeping all other pins safely isolated in pollution degree 2 environments.”

The 1700V-rated CV/CC InnoSwitch3-AQ switching power supply ICs include a SiC primary switch capable of delivering up to 80W of output power. The highly integrated ICs decrease the number of components required to implement a power supply by as much as 50%, saving space, improving system reliability and mitigating component sourcing challenges. An increased drain-pin width is beneficial in withstanding high levels of shock and vibration, especially in eAxle automotive applications.

The new members of the InnoSwitch3-AQ family will start up with as little as 30V on the drain without external circuitry, which is critical for functional safety. Additional protection features include input under-voltage, output over-voltage and over-current limiting. With synchronous rectification and a multi-mode valley switching, the DCM/CCM flyback controller delivers greater than 90% efficiency. Devices consume less than 15mW at no-load.

Target automotive applications include battery management systems, µDC-DC converters, control circuits and emergency power supplies in the main traction inverter. The new ICs also have improved functionality for remote on/off.