Drivers go high and low to simplify power design

Two new combined 600V high- and low-side driver ICs feature integrated protection and are ideal for half-bridge MOSFET or IGBT circuits used in lighting ballasts, power supplies and motor drives.

International Rectifier has introduced the new multifunction IR2304 and IR2308 600V high- and low-side driver ICs.

Featuring integrated protection, the new ICs are ideal for half-bridge mosfet or IGBT circuits used in lighting ballasts, power supplies and motor drives.

The IR2304 is designed for low drive current with 60/130mA output source/sink capability, enabling a lower cost solution and simplifying circuits for smaller mosfets or IGBTs such as the IRF830 or IRFBC30.

The IR2308 is a rugged driver with two noninverting inputs and crossconduction protection, with drive capability of 120/250mA, optimised for larger mosfets and IGBTs or high-frequency applications.

Compared with alternative discrete, pulse transformer and optocoupler solutions, the new driver ICs reduce component count, saving space and increasing reliability.

As the high- and low-side outputs are independently controlled, the new driver ICs feature maximum design flexibility.

The very low propagation delays for turn-on and turn-off, combined with accurate propagation delay matching of both channels simplify circuits and support high frequency switching up to 100kHz.

The ICs offer a high-side as well as a low-side driver output controlled via two separate CMOS/LSTTL (3.3, 5 and 15V-input logic compatible) input.

The undervoltage lockout (UVLO) switches off both outputs as soon as the supply voltage falls below 4.7V, and the outputs are released when the supply voltage exceeds 5V (integrated hysteresis of typically 0.3V).

The UVLO function makes the new devices immune to shoot-through current and device failure during low-voltage conditions.

High voltage and latch-immune CMOS technology make the IR2304 and IR2308 robust.

The new driver ICs also feature a high-pulse-current buffer stage designed for minimum crossconduction.

Noise immunity is achieved with a Schmitt-triggered input design with pull-down to prevent accidental device turn-on.

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