Isolated half-bridge gate drivers deliver speed, reliability

Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) introduced what it claims are the industry's fastest and most reliable isolated half-bridge gate drivers.

Incorporating ADI's iCoupler digital isolator technology, the 4 A ADuM3223 and ADuM4223 gate drivers are 4X faster than devices based on optocoupler technology and have a 50 year operating life. ADI's new gate drivers are designed to improve the performance and efficiency of AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC power supplies, solar-power inverters and motor-control designs while meeting necessary safety requirements required for these applications.

The ADuM3223 and ADuM4223 isolated half-bridge gate drivers feature sub 55 ns propagation delay and less than 5 ns delay matching, which is four times faster than gate drivers designed using less effective optocoupler technology. The new gate drivers meet safety standards for up to 5 kV rms reinforced isolation and also provide 700 VPEAK galvanic isolation between the drivers' high-side and low-side outputs, which minimizes the potential for cross conduction and improves reliability and equipment safety.

With two independent isolation channels, the ADuM3223 and ADuM4223 gate drivers operate with an input supply range from 3.3 V to 5.5 V, which suits them to lower voltage systems. Each output may be continuously operated up to 400 V rms relative to the input. The differential voltage between the high-side and low-side may be as high as 700 VPEAK, which makes these devices suitable for providing reliable control over a wide range of bus voltages.

The ADuM3223 provides 3 kV rms isolation in a narrow-body, 16-lead SOIC package, while the ADuM4223 provides 5 kV rms reinforced isolation in a wide-body, 16-lead SOIC package.

Key highlights: 

• Fast Timing
• <55 ns propagation delay
• <5 ns delay matching
• High Reliability
• 50 year lifetime for 400 V rms working voltage: safety certified
• 50 year lifetime for 1130 dc working voltage: functional isolation
• 125ºC Operation
• High Operating Temperature: 125ºC
• 4 A PEAK Current Drive

ADuM3223 and ADuM4223