Devices can be configured tosupport different gate-drive voltage requirements matching the range ofrequirements seen in SiC-MOSFETs today; key applications include UPS,photo-voltaic systems, servo drives, welding inverters and powersupplies.

The SIC1182K offers up to 8 A output at a junction temperature of 125°C allowing these devices to support SiC-MOSFET inverter designs up to several hundred kilowatts without a booster stage. This results in high system efficiency and enables customers to produce only one design to cover their entire portfolio of differently rated power inverters. A switching frequency of up to 150 kHz supports multiple applications.

SCALE-iDriver SIC1182K SiC gate drivers feature Power Integrations’ high-speed FluxLink™ communications technology, dramatically improving isolation capability. FluxLink is a revolution in signal transmission, replacing optocouplers and capacitive or silicon-based solutions, significantly improving reliability and delivering reinforced isolation up to 1200 V. SCALE-iDriver devices also include system-critical protection features such as desaturation monitoring and current SENSE read out, primary and secondary undervoltage lock-out (UVLO) and Advanced Active Clamping (AAC). More, the protection circuits provide safe shutdown within five microseconds, meeting the fast protection needs of SiC devices. SIC1182K SiC gate drivers exhibit high external magnetic field immunity, featuring a package that provides ≥9.5 mm of creepage and clearance, using material that has the highest CTI level, CTI600, to IEC60112.

Comments Michael Hornkamp, senior director of marketing for gate-driver products at Power Integrations: “Silicon carbide MOSFET technology opens the door for decreasing size and weight as well as reduced losses in power inverter systems. The SCALE-iDriver family with FluxLink™ technology enables safe, cost-effective designs for inverters with very few external components, ensuring functional safety as well as compact packaging and maximized efficiency.”

SCALE-iDriver technology minimizes the number of external components that are needed and reduces the BOM; tantalum or electrolytic capacitors are not required, and only one secondary winding is needed. A two-layer PCB can be used which increases design simplicity, cuts component count and eases supply-chain management.

Power Integrations’ SCALE-iDriver SIC1182K SiC gate drivers meet IEC60664-1 isolation coordination for low-voltage equipment below 1000 V and IEC61800-5-1 electric motor drive inverter regulations. UL 1577, 5 kVAC for 1 min, is pending and VDE0884-10 is in process.

Devices are available now, priced at $4.65 in 10,000 piece quantities. Technical information is available from the Power Integrations website at http://www.power.com/products/scale-idriver-ic-family/sic1182k/.