Si829xSi829x drives EV traction inverters

Meeting ISO 26262 functional safety standards, the Si829x is suitable for use in functional safety systems rated up to ASIL D, it says.

“As EV platforms scale globally, automakers face increasing pressure to improve efficiency and integrate advanced features while also lowering system cost,” said Mario Battello, vp of product line management at Skyworks.

“The Si829x introduces a new class of gate driver technology that can enable all of these. By allowing customers to standardize inverter designs across multiple platforms while optimizing performance through software, we believe this solution can help optimize EV drivetrains and improve system-level economics.”

The system uses the company’s ProVCD variable current drive, with high resolution gate waveform shaping and cycle-by-cycle control through a digital interface.

Features claimed for the Si829x:

• 15A programmable variable current drive ProVCD
• 15A Miller Clamp
• Cycle-by-cycle programmability
• Integrated VPOS/VNEG regulation
• Isolated drive of high or low side switch
• Optimised for SiC FETs and IGBTs
• SPI interface with host controller
• Overlap and deadtime enforcement
• Desaturation detection
• Current/temp/voltage measurement
• Comprehensive functional safety support
  • Power-up self checks
  • Safe state enforcement
  • Fault notification and management
  • Extensive diagnostics and configurability
• IEC 60747-17 6kV Reinforced isolation
• Package options for thermal management and layout optimization

Skyworks highlights that by supporting both SiC FETs and IGBTs within a single gate driver platform that integrates a VPOS regulator to provide bipolar gate drive voltages eliminating an external negative gate bias supply, the system helps users streamline design efforts.

More info on the Si829x is on the Skyworks website.

See also: Skyworks and Mediatek reference design for front-end PA for 6G