Renesas Releases Two New Optocouplers with Integrated Insulated Gate Transistors

Photocoupler

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a leading global semiconductor and solutions provider, today announced the release of two new optocouplers with integrated Insulated Gate Transistor ( IGBT ) protection: the PS9332L and the PS9332L2. Optocouplers are suitable for applications such as industrial machinery and solar systems.

The latest PS9332L and PS9332L2 feature an integrated active Miller clamp circuit that prevents IGBT failures and switches between IGBT-driven optocouplers with IGBT protection at world-class ultra-high speeds (compared to traditional Renesas Electronics' speed is 20% faster. In addition, it has a compact 8-pin SDIP (small dual in-line package) that guarantees normal operation at high temperatures. These two optocouplers can be used for gate drive of IGBT devices in motor control inverter circuits.

When the voltage is relatively high, we usually use an insulating device such as a coupler to protect the circuit such as the inverter.

The photocoupler can combine a light-emitting diode (LED) and a photodetector into a package, and convert the electrical signal into an optical signal by the light-emitting diode on the input side, and then the optical detector on the output side. Converting an optical signal into an electrical signal. The input side and the output side are electrically insulated, and the signal is transmitted between the two in the form of light. The types of optocouplers include general-purpose optocouplers (transistor outputs), which are mainly used for power supply and other applications, as well as IGBT-driven optocouplers, which are mainly used for gate drive of IGBT devices for applications such as solar generators or general-purpose inverters. .

The latest PS9332L and PS9332L2 are IGBT optocouplers, which consist of gallium arsenide gallium (GaAIAs) LEDs used as light-emitting diodes, as well as photodetector ICs and IGBT protection circuits. It provides a comprehensive protection function (active Miller clamp) while driving the gate of the IGBT device to prevent device damage caused by IGBT failure. In traditional systems, this protection must be implemented by external components, which can make the system design too complex and difficult to miniaturize. The new PS9330L and PS9332L2 can completely solve this problem.

Main features of the new optocouplers PS9332L and PS9332L2:

• (1) On-chip active Miller clamp circuit to prevent IGBT failure

When the IGBT connected to the photocoupler is turned off, the current between the collector and the gate (Miller current) causes a gate voltage, which causes a malfunction. The integrated active Miller clamp circuit reduces the gate charge of the ground, thereby suppressing the rise of the gate voltage and preventing malfunctions. By integrating the protection circuitry into the optocoupler, the system design is greatly simplified, making the overall system more compact and compact.

• (2) The highest level of switching speed (20% faster than traditional Renesas Electronics)

The photodetector IC uses Renesas Electronics' proprietary BiCMOS process to reduce parasitic capacitance, reduce latency (tPHL, tPLH ≤ 200 ns, 20% shorter than earlier products), and reduce the current consumed by the circuit (Icc ≤ 2.5 mA). In this way, a more accurate and lower power inverter control circuit can be manufactured. In addition, the extremely low current consumption of the circuit allows the system to drive the IGBT to have a lower level of power supply.

• (3) Compact 8-pin SDIP package

Despite the integrated active Miller clamp function, the photodetector chip is identical in size to its predecessor, allowing it to be packaged in a compact 8-pin SDIP package. This saves 40% of the mounting area compared to the 8-pin DIP package, allowing customers to create smaller, more compact systems.

The package is available in two different leadframes. The PS9332L provides 7mm external creepage, while the PS9332L2 provides 8mm external creepage.

• (4) Guarantee normal operation in high temperature environment

The materials used in the product are optimized for operation at high temperatures and the highest acceptable operating temperature is 125 degrees Celsius, which simplifies the thermal design of systems operating in high temperature environments.

Renesas Electronics believes that the new PS9332L and PS9332L2 will greatly simplify the development of inverter systems and allow them to achieve a higher level of compactness, which is expected to expand significantly in the future. While actively promoting sales promotion, Renesas Electronics will continue to develop new products to meet customers' strict requirements for high temperature, high speed and high output.

The new product can be combined with Renesas Electronics' IGBTs to reduce the turn-off time of switches by approximately 10% (compared to traditional Renesas Electronics products) and to increase power efficiency. In addition, Renesas Electronics will expand its support for customer product development through power regulators and device-specific reference boards such as MCU's inverter solutions.