EL SEGUNDO, CA. August 2001 - International Rectifier, IR® (NYSE: IRF) today introduced the new IR2180 series 600V MOSFET and IGBT gate driver ICs. The new ICs are the simplest, smallest and lowest cost MOSFET or IGBT gate driver solution for applications up to 12kW, and can save over 30% in parts count in a 50% smaller PCB area compared to a discrete-based, opto-coupler driver circuit. The new IR2180 series ICs include the industry's smallest 600V gate drivers rated at 1.4A pull-up and 1.8A pull-down output source/sink current in an 8-lead SOIC or PDIP package.

The new ICs can be used in a wide variety of circuits, including uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and switched mode power supply applications up to 12kW, and AC motor drives up to 10HP. The new driver ICs simplify circuits and are ideal for high-density, high-current designs.

With the addition of few external components, the IR2180 series ICs provide full driver capability with extremely fast switching speeds and low-power dissipation. These ICs further simplify circuit designs by using a bootstrap supply while opto-coupler-based circuits require an auxiliary power supply. The IR2180 series gate driver ICs come in six different configurations and allow the designer to select a device that matches the controller logic interface.

The IR2180 series ICs have ten times better delay matching performance than opto-coupler-based solutions. Delay matching between the low-side and high-side driver is within ± 50ns, allowing dead-time control as low as 500ns for better speed range and torque control in motor drive applications.

Alberto Guerra, Director, Motor Drive Sector at International Rectifier, said, "IR is a pioneer in high voltage IC technology. The new IR2180 series gate drivers simplify product design and manufacturing by replacing discrete circuits with integrated solutions. IR will continue to develop efficient power management solutions to fulfill the demand to decrease design cycle time and increase performance."

Technical Details

The IR2181 series ICs integrate one high-side and one low-side gate driver into one IC. The IR2183 series ICs are half bridge drivers with a separate low-side inverted input and a high-side input. The IR2184 series are single-input, half-bridge drivers with a separate shutdown pin.

The new devices are offered in standard 8- and 14-pin SOIC or PDIP packages. The devices in the 14-lead packages include added features such as programmable dead-time for half bridge drivers and enhanced noise immunity due to separate power and logic ground. In addition, high voltage pins are on one side of the 14-pin package while the low voltage pins are on the other side to simplify layout.

The logic input is compatible with standard 3.3V or 5V CMOS or LSTTL output. The VCC and VBS range extends from 10V to 20V with under-voltage lockout. The output drivers feature a high pulse current buffer stage designed for minimum driver cross-conduction.

The IR2180 series devices have soft switching to minimize EMI and voltage spikes, and contribute to lower switching loss.

Availability and Pricing

Engineering samples are available now. Pricing for IR's new IR2180 Series devices begins at US $1.74 each in 1,000-unit quantities (IR1281S).

High Resolution JPEGs are available in the Press Room.