Vishay's New 0.5-A MOSFET, IGBT Driver Closely Matches 1.0-V Maximum Output Voltage to Positive Supply Voltage, Eliminating Need For Shunt Resistor

MALVERN, Pa. — June 26, 2006 — Vishay Intertechnology (NYSE: VSH) is adding to its optoelectronics product portfolio with a 0.5-A MOSFET/IGBT driver that has a 1.0-V maximum low-level output voltage, eliminating the need for negative gate drive. An isolated solution with a high-speed optocoupler and IGBT/MOSFET driver in one package, the new VO3150 is ideally suited for directly driving IGBTs with ratings up to 1200 V and 50 A in industrial and consumer applications.

Packaged in the 8-pin DIP, the VO3150 saves board space in end products including uninterruptible power supplies, AC and brushless DC motor drives, industrial inverters, switchmode power supplies, and plasma display panels.

The high output voltage of the VO3150 closely matches the positive supply voltage, providing an advantage over other MOSFET/IGBT drivers in applications that call for higher supply voltages to enhance the performance of DMOS or IGBT power devices.

The VO3150 addresses a common problem with power semiconductor devices, where the output voltage drifts upward when the device is run at gate-to-source voltages lower than the 20 V typically specified. To avoid this condition, a typical workaround is the use of a shunt resistor at the gate driver output, which prevents the voltage from drifting up. Because the VO3150 does not exhibit the same upward voltage drift, it eliminates the need for extra components to compensate for such behavior.

The VO3150 features an isolation voltage of 5300 V_rms with a minimum of 15 kV/µs and a typical of 30 kV/µs common mode rejection at a V_CM of 1500 V. It enables quieter end products by operating at a high bandwidth with a switching frequency above 16 kHz, which is outside the range of human hearing. It has a maximum propagation delay of only 0.7 µs, a 7-mA maximum supply current, and a wide operating range of 15 V to 30 V with undervoltage lockout protection. It operates over the industrial temperature range of -40 °C to +85 °C.

Samples and production quantities of the VO3150 are available now, with lead times of six to eight weeks for larger orders.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, rectifiers, transistors, and optoelectronics and selected ICs) and passive electronic components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, sensors, and transducers). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets. Its product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and ability to provide "one-stop shop" service have made Vishay a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at http://www.vishay.com.