MOSFET Drivers Enhance Design Flexibility

Two new half-bridge MOSFET drivers, the Si9912 and Si9913, have been optimized for single-input, high-frequency switching in dc/dc converters. By offloading the power MOSFET drive requirement from the controller IC, it's claimed that the new devices increase system design flexibility for a wide variety of power conversion designs used in desktop and notebook computers, computer peripherals and consumer electronic products. The devices integrate drivers capable of switching a 3,000-pF load with a 60-ns propagation delay and a transition time of 25 ns. A 1A current drive supports switching up to 1 MHz. The Si9913 features a synchronous enable pin to enable the low side driver. As an alternative design option, the Si9912 provides a shutdown pin that enables the driver, with a power-efficient quiescent current of less than 5 mA when the driver is disabled. Both devices offer an extended input voltage range of 4.5V to 30V, with a supply voltage of 4.5V to 5.5V. Packaged in an 8-pin SOIC, pricing is $1.17 each/25,000. VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY INC., Malvern, PA. (610) 644-1300.