Toshiba launches opto-isolated IGBT gate pre-driver IC for electric and hybrid vehicles

Toshiba Electronics Europe has announced an opto-isolated IGBT gate pre-driver IC with enhanced protection functions for the in-vehicle inverters of electric and hybrid vehicles. Sample shipments of the TB9150FNG started in April, with mass production scheduled for 2018.

Inverter control is used to drive the motors of electric and hybrid vehicles efficiently. As the control and drive functions have different operating voltages, they must be isolated from each other with a device such as a photocoupler. Toshiba’s TB9150FNG is a compact, versatile, high-performance IGBT gate pre-driver IC that can address this issue while providing the necessary protection functionality.

The TB9150FNG integrates a photocoupler that secures high-level isolation between control (the primary side) and drive (the secondary side). It also incorporates a highly precise IGBT temperature detection function, a flyback transformer controller and a short circuit detection function (current sense and DESAT2 monitor) that all contribute to system downsizing.

Supplied in an SSOP48 package, the TB9150FNG measures just 10.4mm x 12.5mm x 2.0mm. Operating temperature range is -40°C to 125°C.

Key Features
1. Optical isolation function
Electrical isolation and high-withstand voltage isolation of 2500Vrms (AC, one minute) are achieved by a built-in photocoupler for communication between the primary and secondary sides. The perfect isolation this achieves secures a high tolerance to exogenous noise, such as that caused by electro-magnetic susceptibility.

2. Highly precise temperature detection function
The new IC has the constant current source for a temperature sense diode incorporated in IGBT and the AD converter. It measures voltage inside the temperature sense diode with high accuracy, allowing temperature to be precisely calculated. Performance can be optimized by monitoring the IGBT’s operating temperature, contributing both to downsizing of the IGBT and improved fuel consumption by electric and hybrid vehicles.

3. Built-in flyback transformer control circuit for the power supply
A flyback transformer control circuit in the primary side supplies power to the secondary side while maintaining isolation. It also has a soft-start function that secures smooth start-up when turning on power to the circuit, avoiding current overload.

4. Various built-in abnormality detection circuits and protection circuits
The power supply, output, current and voltage of the IGBT are all monitored. Information on any detected abnormality is transferred to the main controller via an SPI interface. A dedicated circuit provides protection against any abnormality with the potential to destroy the IC and IGBT.

5. Based on AEC-Q100 standards

Toshiba Electronics