ADI’s gate drivers enable higher switching speeds

Article By : Analog Devices

Analog Devices' ADuM4120 and ADuM4121 isolated gate drivers are designed to allow higher switching speeds of new inverter architectures.

Analog Devices Inc. has launched the ADuM4120 and ADuM4121 series of small form factor isolated gate drivers that are designed for power switch technologies, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), which require higher switching speeds and system size constraints.

Analog Devices noted that its isolated gate drivers provide reliable control over switching characteristics for insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) configurations. The ADuM4120 and ADuM4121 series leverages uses Analog Device's iCoupler isolation technology and high-speed CMOS and monolithic transformer technology that allows ultra-low propagation delay without sacrificing common mode transient immunity (CMTI) performance, Analog Devices said.

Shorter delay

Legacy alternatives, such as optocouplers or pulse transformers, struggle to deliver shorter delay and maintain CMTI performance. The ADuM4120 and ADuM4121 are designed to enable the higher switching speeds of new inverter architectures. In systems requiring multiple power switches, the SOIC packaged isolated gate drivers minimise PCB layout space subsequently reducing cooling requirements, Analog Devices noted. Additionally, Analog Device said the small size of the ADuM4120 and ADuM4121 allows them to be located close to the power switches to reduce the parasitic inductance between the driver and the switch.

The ADuM4120 and ADuM4121 operate over a high temperature range and high working voltages and can be used to improve the energy efficiency and timing performance stability of solar inverters, motor controllers and industrial inverter applications, said Analog Devices.