Global firm, Skyworks Solutions has rolled out an isolated gate driver reference design that operates with Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide (SiC) Field Effect Transistor (FET) power modules.
With the growing adoption of SiC for power conversion and inverter applications — fueled by consumer demand for greater range, faster charging and more efficient propulsion for electric vehicles (EVs) — there is an increasing need for gate drivers that are optimized for SiC FETs.
The new Si828x gate driver board (GDB) kit from Skyworks simplifies design and enables increased integration for automotive applications by replacing competing designs with more complex gate driver board layouts.
Designed and tested for Wolfspeed XM3 SiC FET modules and instantiated on an evaluation board, the Skyworks Si828x GDB kit keeps high voltage/high current SiC modules from overload and circuit damage. It is one of the leading industry products for protection of these modules from fault-related impairment.
Together, the Skyworks GDB and Wolfspeed XM3 solution is well-suited for fast charging and power conversion applications, EV drivetrains, as well as drive motors and uninterruptable power supplies for industrial environments.
Customers can purchase the Si828x-AAWB-KIT gate driver board kit in small numbers via Skyworks distribution partners, Arrow, Digikey and Mouser.
“We are excited about this continued partnership,” said Mark Thompson, senior vice president of Mixed Signal Solutions at Skyworks. “Our Si828x gate drivers were originally tested with Wolfspeed SiC MOSFETs. Now, in adding the GDB board, we have a complete tried-and-true solution for the market.”
“We have teamed up with Skyworks to validate their gate driver board that pairs with our XM3 SiC FET power modules. The Si828x gate driver board is very robust for protecting the power module during a short circuit event, detecting the load fault and shutting off the XM3 in less than one microsecond,” said Austin Curbow, manager of the Applications & Systems Team for Power Modules at Wolfspeed. “Further, its robust 15 Amp source and sink capability maximizes switching speed, minimizing switching losses and increasing efficiency.”