Microchip — AgileSwitch 2ASC-12A2HP Digital Gate Driver

Microchip has announced a new 1,200 V digital gate driver for silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs which provides system developers with multiple levels of control and protection for safe, reliable operation.

Qualified for conformance to the strict environmental requirements of transportation standards, the new AgileSwitch^® 2ASC-12A2HP dual-channel gate driver with Augmented Switching™ technology helps to accelerate the development of more efficient power systems for electric buses and other electrified heavy transport vehicles.

The control and protection features in the 2ASC-12A2HP gate driver include the ability to dampen drain-source voltage overshoots by up to 80%. The gate driver also cuts switching losses by as much as 50%. The device can source/sink up to 10 A of peak current to SiC MOSFETs with a breakdown voltage rating of up to 1,700 V. It includes an isolated dc-dc converter with a low-capacitance isolation barrier for PWM signals and fault feedback.

The AgileSwitch 2ASC-12A2HP gate driver is compatible with the latest release of the Microchip Intelligent Configuration Tool (ICT). This interface enables users to configure the parameters of a gate driver’s operation, including the gate switching profiles, system-critical monitors, and controller interface settings.

This means that the system designer benefits from a gate driver which can be tailored to the needs of multiple applications without having to change hardware. The result is shorter development time from evaluation through to production. Microchip estimates that the ICT, which is supplied as a free-of-charge download, can save designers between three and six months of development time on new designs.

The 2ASC-12A2HP gate driver is compatible with the broad Microchip portfolio of SiC power devices and modules. It is interoperable with other manufacturers’ SiC products.