STMicroelectronics has expanded its STGAP3S family of galvanically isolated gate drivers with new 3A devices designed to support power conversion applications requiring lower gate-drive current. The new STGAP3S3S is optimised for silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, while the STGAP3S3IF is designed for insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). The new devices add a 3A option to the existing STGAP3S family, which also includes 6A and 10A series.
The gate drivers are designed for high-voltage applications with rails up to 1,200V. Potential applications include electric vehicle charging stations, energy storage systems, solar inverters, power-factor correction systems, DC/DC converters, industrial electric vehicles, induction heating equipment and industrial drives, pumps and fans. The STGAP3S family provides reinforced galvanic isolation designed to protect power-stage circuitry from high-voltage transients. The devices support Common Mode Transient Immunity of up to 200V/ns and withstand transients of up to 9.6kV.
The new STGAP3S3 series integrates an active Miller clamp, including the clamping MOSFET, to help prevent unwanted turn-on of the power switch. This can reduce the risk of shoot-through currents while simplifying circuit design and saving printed circuit board space. The 6A STGAP3S6 and 10A STGAP3SX devices use an external MOSFET for the active Miller clamp, providing designers with additional flexibility for systems requiring higher gate-drive current.
The devices also include desaturation detection with soft turn-off to protect power switches during overload and short-circuit conditions. The 6A and 10A devices, along with the new 3A SiC MOSFET drivers, allow designers to use an external resistor to adjust the soft turn-off speed.
Diagnostic pins provide information when protection functions such as desaturation detection, undervoltage lockout and thermal shutdown are activated. The drivers also support negative gate voltage, which helps prevent unwanted switch turn-on and provides controlled turn-off during fault conditions.
STMicroelectronics has developed evaluation boards for the two new 3A devices. The EVLSTGAP3S3S and EVLSTGAP3S3IF are half-bridge boards with protection functions, test points and diagnostic LEDs to support product development and testing. The STGAP3S family, including the STGAP3S3, STGAP3S6 and STGAP3SX series, is in production and available in the SO16W wide-body package. Pricing starts at $1.93 for orders of 1,000 units.
STMicroelectronics develops semiconductor technologies for automotive, industrial, personal electronics and other applications. The company operates an integrated manufacturing model and works with customers and partners worldwide on products focused on mobility, power management and connected technologies.
