Gate Driver ICs

International Rectifier's MOSFET

and IGBT gate driver ICs are the
simplest, smallest and lowest cost
solution to drive MOSFETs or IGBTs
up to 1200V in applications up to
12kW, and can save over 30% in
part count in a 50% smaller PCB
area compared to a discrete optocoupler or transformer based
solution. With the addition of few
external components, IR gate
driver ICs provide full driver
capability with extremely fast
switching speeds, designed-in
ruggedness and low-power
dissipation.

Gate Driver ICs

Gate driver IC's generate the
current and voltage necessary to
turn MOSFETs or IGBTs on and off
from the logic output of a DSP,
micro-controller or other logic
device. The input is typically a 3.3
volt logic-level signal. All IR gate
driver ICs are CMOS compatible,
and most are TTL compatible.
Output currents are up to 2A.
THE IR ADVANTAGE

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

Dead-time as low as 500ns

allows frequency up to 100khz

600V and 1200V gate driver in a single IC for MOSFET

and IGBTs

Increases speed range and

torque control of motor drives

Multiple Configurations

Enable rugged gate drive

design
Low power dissipation
Compared with opto-coupler
based solutions:
30% fewer parts and 50%
smaller PCB
Doesn't need auxiliary power
supply
10X faster delay matching

Single high side

Half-bridge
3 phase inverter driver
Up to +2.0/-2.0A output source/sink current enables fast
switching
Integrated protection and feedback functions
Optional deadtime control
Tolerant to negative voltage transient

(50ns)

Up to 50V/ns dV/dt immunity

No degradation of performance
over time

Optional soft turn-on

Uses low cost bootstrap power supply

Shorter time to signal overcurrent 1.5s versus 6s)

CMOS and LSTTL input compatible

Reduced EMI and voltage

spikes

APPLICATIONS
Motor Drive
Lighting Ballast
Switched Mode Power Supplies
Automotive
Plasma Display Panels

IR Gate Driver ICs Simplify Design

Driving a MOSFET or IGBT in the
high side position of a half-bridge
topology or 3 phase inverter leg
offers the additional challenge that
the gate voltage is referenced to
the source rather than to ground.
The source voltage is a floating
point at up to the maximum bus
voltage, or voltage rating of the
MOSFET or IGBT, 600V and up for motor drive, lighting or SMPS applications. IR gate driver uses
a patented level shifter technology for high voltage application and offers the only 1200V rating in
the industry.
These ICs simplify circuit designs by integrating extensive functionality. They use a low cost
bootstrap supply, while opto-coupler-based circuits typically require an auxiliary power supply. IR
Gate Driver ICs offer optional single input or dual input programmable deadtime control for low
side and high side drivers as well as for 3 phase drivers to provide design flexibility and allows to
minimize cross-conduction. Unique 3-phase drivers allow driving a 3 phase inverter using a single
IC.
IR Gate Driver ICs enable rugged driver designs
IR Gate Driver ICs are specifically designed with motor drive applications in mind. The newest
soft-turn-on limits voltage and current spike and reduce EMI. In addition, they have up to 50V/ns
dV/dt immunity and are tolerant to negative voltage transient. The under-voltage lock-out
available for most drivers prevents shoot-through currents and device failures during power-up

and power-down without any additional circuitry. The output drivers feature a high pulse current
buffer stage designed for minimum driver cross-conduction.
Noise immunity is important for the high-side position which has a floating voltage and is
susceptible to high noise levels, particularly in motor drive applications. Noise immunity ensures
that the MOSFET or IGBT doesn't turn on accidentally. Noise immunity is obtained by using
Schmitt-triggered input with pull-down. Additional noise immunity is obtained with separate logic
and ground pins in some ICs, such as the 600V ICs in 14-pin packages.
IR Gate Driver ICs enable fast switching speeds
IR Gate Drive ICs have ten times better delay matching performance than opto-coupler-based
solutions. Delay matching between the low-side and high-side driver is typically within 50ns
(and as low as 10ns for some specialty products), allowing complete dead-time control for
better speed range and torque control in motor drive applications. Fast switching also reduces
switching power losses and allows leveraging the full benefits of the fastest IGBTs available on the
market today for better torque control over a wider speed range.
Application Notes:
AN-978: HV Floating MOS-Gate Driver ICs

AN-985: Six Output 600V MGDs Simplify 3-Phase Motor Drives

Design Notes:
DN500: Short Circuit Protection for Power Inverters

DN501: Accurate Current Sensing in High Voltage Motor Drives

DN502: Short Circuit Protection for Three-Phase Power Inverters
Design Tips:
DT92-2: High Current Buffer for Control ICs

DT04-4: Using Monolithic High Voltage Gate Drivers