Auto gate drivers enable higher power converter designs

Engineers in the automotive space are faced with the challenges of delivering inverter designs with increased efficiency, higher drive current and greater immunity to noise, especially in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV).

To help designers meet these challenges, Fairchild Semiconductor has developed the FAN7171 high-current, high-side gate driver IC and the FAN7190 high-current, high- and low-side gate driver IC.

The FAN7171 is a monolithic high-side gate driver IC that can drive high speed MOSFETs and IGBTs that operate up to +500V, while the FAN7190 can drive MOSFETS and IGBTs that operate up to +600V. Greater drive capability enables higher power systems with an increase in power efficiency.

Both devices have a buffered output stage with all NMOS transistors designed for high pulse current driving capability and minimum cross-conduction. Better noise immunity, with a negative voltage swing (VS) down to -9.8V at 15V VBS, allows for improved design reliability and increased durability in challenging noise environments.

Fairchild's high voltage process and common-mode noise cancelling techniques provide stable operation of the high-side driver under dv/dt noise circumstances. An advanced level shift circuit offers high-side gate driver operation down to VS = -9.8V (typical) for VBS = 15V. An Under Voltage Lockout (UVLO) circuit prevents malfunction when VBS is lower than the specified threshold voltage.

Both devices are packaged in an 8-lead small outline package (SOP) and are RoHS-compliant. They are also both qualified to AEC Q100 Automotive Class 1 standards.

Pricing:  in 1,000 quantity pieces: FAN7171: $1.28 and FAN7190: $1.50.

Availability: Samples available now; delivery: eight to 12 weeks ARO. 

Datasheets: FAN7171 and FAN7190