Power Integrations has announced its BridgeSwitch integrated half-bridge (IHB) motor driver IC family. BridgeSwitch ICs provide high-end and low-end advanced FREDFETs with integrated non-destructive current detection. In 300W BLDC motor drive applications, the inverter conversion efficiency is as high as 98.5%. IHB drivers provide excellent efficiency and distributed cooling, eliminating the need for heat sinks, which reduces system cost and weight. Integrated non-destructive current sensing, bus voltage sensing, and system-level thermal sensing make this device family ideal for BLDC motors in home appliances. This equipment is suitable for refrigerator compressors, HVAC system fans and other residential and light commercial pumps, fans and blowers.
The 600 V FREDFET used in the BridgeSwitch IC integrates a fast, ultra-soft recovery body diode. This greatly reduces losses during switching and reduces noise generation, which simplifies system-level EMC. The new high-voltage self-powered half-bridge motor driver IC also has built-in device protection and system monitoring functions, as well as a powerful single-wire status update interface that enables communication between the motor microcontroller and up to three BridgeSwitch devices. Each BridgeSwitch device can be configured with different high-side and low-side current limits, eliminating the need for a microcontroller and external circuitry to protect the system from open or shorted motor windings. Integrated non-destructive current monitoring provides hardware-based motor fault protection,
Cristian Ionescu-Catrina, Senior Product Marketing Manager, said: "We have re-examined the challenges posed by the emerging BLDC market and increasingly stringent energy use regulations around the world, and proposed an innovative solution that can save energy and Space while reducing BOM. This simplifies compliance with safety standards, simplifies circuits and reduces development time. "
