Microchip Technology has developed a new 1,200 V digital gate driver, providing system developers with multiple levels of control and protection. The 2ASC-12A2HP AgileSwitch gate driver provides multiple levels of control and a higher level of protection for silicon carbide MOSFET-based power systems. 

The company says its new gate drivers have the ability to dampen drain-source voltage overshoots by up to 80% and reduce switching losses by as much as 50%. The 2ASC-12A2HP digital gate driver can source-sink up to 10 A of peak current, and includes an isolated DC/DC converter with low-capacitance isolation barrier for pulse-width modulation signals and fault feedback. 

The new driver is compatible with the Intelligent Configuration Tool (ICT), allowing users to configure gate driver parameters including the gate switching profiles, system critical monitors and controller interface settings.In addition to commercial vehicles, other applications include charging infrastructure, energy storage systems, solar inverters and aircraft flight actuators.

“The trend toward electrification of all vehicles including buses, trains, trams and agriculture transportation hinges on innovative power electronic solutions to get more productivity from less energy,” said Microchip Vice President Leon Gross. “When combined with our silicon carbide power devices, this gate driver technology enables engineers to achieve new levels of power density in transportation systems and industrial applications.”

Source: Microchip Technology