Integrated-circuit (IC) maker Power Integrations has launched two new AEC-Q100-qualified, 1,700-volt-rated ICs. They are part of the InnoSwitch 3-AQ product line, and are intended for 600- and 800-V EVs and fuel cell cars, electric buses and trucks, and industrial applications such as renewable energy, battery storage, motor drives and metering.

According to Power Integrations, the new ICs are the “industry’s first automotive-qualified switching power supply ICs to incorporate a silicon carbide (SiC) primary switching MOSFET.”

Each of the new ICs is composed of a FluxLink feedback loop, synchronous rectification and quasi-resonant/CCM flyback controller, plus safety functions and protection features. The company says the FluxLink supplies reinforced isolation up to 5,000 VRMS for secondary-side control, accurate regulation of output voltage and extremely fast transient response. The company also says the synchronous rectification and quasi-resonant/CCM flyback controller delivers more than 90% efficiency at less than 15 mW. Protection features include input under-voltage, output over-voltage and over-current limiting.

InnoSwitch ICs are available with silicon, gallium nitride and SiC transistors. According to the company, InnoSwitch ICs reduce the quantity of parts necessary to set up a power supply by as much as 50 percent, which saves circuit-board space, boosts reliability and eases part sourcing challenges.

“800-volt batteries are becoming standard for EVs,” says Power Integration Automotive Business Development Director Peter Vaughan. “Multiple vehicle systems are connected to this powerful electrical source, yet delicate electronic control circuits require just a few volts for operation and communication. InnoSwitch devices allow the electronics to safely sip from the firehose of energy available on the main bus, using minimal board area and without wasting energy. Most exciting is the opportunity to dramatically simplify the emergency power supply for the main traction inverter, which may be called upon at a moment’s notice to operate from any voltage between 30 volts and 1,000 volts. Our SiC-based InnoSwitch 3-AQ devices handle this vast range with incredible ease.”

Source: Power Integrations