IGBT drivers

Semikron has unveiled an IGBT driver generation, the Skyper 52, that is based on fully digital signal processing, allowing the transmission of isolated sensor signals and individual protection level settings.

Switching characteristics, shut-down levels and error processing can be set to meet the given application requirements.

If an error is detected, all the power transistors can be switched off individually or sequentially. Overvoltages, especially those that occur in short-circuit turn-off conditions, are reduced by the IGBT driver. To do so, the driver switches the power transistor smoothly.

The graphic interface GUI (generic user interface) is a platform that can run on Linux, Mac OS X or Windows.

The device is RoHS compliant and suitable for 1200 and 1700 V IGBT modules. It has two 9 W output channels and a peak gate current of up to 50 A, making it suitable for parallel connected IGBT modules with a total current of up to 9000 A.

It is also suitable for high-frequency applications that require high driver output power and switching frequencies (up to 100 kHz).

The insulation voltage is 4 kV_AC and the turnoff voltage -15 V. The LVDS-compatible and differential signal inputs and outputs correspond with the 3.3 and 5 V I/O standards. The driver circuit can be directly connected to a microcontroller or DSP without level conversion.