Micrel's 85V half-bridge MOSFET drivers have integrated bootstrap diode, claim widest programmable gate drive range

Micrel, an industry leader in high performance linear and power solutions, LAN and timing and communications solutions, introduced the MIC4604, a 85V Half Bridge MOSFET driver that features an integrated 85V Bootstrap diode and one of the widest programmable gate drive ranges (5.5V to 16V) in the industry. These features make the MIC4604 an ideal solution for the industry's most demanding battery operated motor applications including power tools and power DC/AC inverters. The MIC4604 is currently available in volume with pricing starting at $0.69 for 1K quantities in a SOIC package option. Samples can be ordered at: http://www.samplecomponents.com/scripts/samplecenter.dll?micrel. "The MIC4604 is one of the industry's first Half Bridge MOSFET drivers that is specifically designed to address a wide variety of applications such as motor drive, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and other general purpose power supplies," noted Brian Heyadati, vice president of marketing, high-performance linear and power solutions, Micrel. "The MIC4604 offers the widest range of MOSFET's gate-to-source voltage (5.5V to 16V) which allows our customers to optimize the gate drive voltage and achieve the best system power efficiency." As an example, in battery powered motor drive applications, there is no need to boost the voltage to exceed the typical minimal gate drive of 9V offered by othersolutions; the MIC4604 allows operation from supplies as low as 5.5V. In addition, the 85V operating voltage offers plenty of margin which protects against voltage spikes that are present in motor drive and power supply applications, making the MIC4604 an ideal solution for low voltage and high voltage applications. The MIC4604 is an 85V Half Bridge MOSFET driver that features fast 39ns propagation delay times and 20ns driver rise/fall times for a 1nF capacitive load. The low-side and high-side gate drivers are independently controlled. The MIC4604 also offers TTL input thresholds and includes a high-voltage internal diode that helps charge the high-side gate drive bootstrap capacitor. A robust, high-speed, and low-power level shifter provides clean level transitions to the high-side output. Reliable operation of the MIC4604 ensures that the outputs are not affected by supply glitches, ringing below ground, or slewing with high-speed voltage transitions. In addition, under-voltage protection is provided on both the low-side and high-side drivers. The MIC4604 is available in an 8-pin SOIC package and tiny 10-pin 2.5mm x 2.5mm TDFN package options. Both packages have an operating junction temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. Micrel