Small low-loss intelligent molded modules (SLLIMMs) with direct-bonded copper (DBC), developed by STMicroelectronics, come in a new compact outline for industrial drives, air conditioners, heat pumps, and home appliances. The space-saving modules deliver a complete 600-V, three-phase IGBT inverter bridge with an 18.8- × 32.8-mm footprint, which is more than 30% smaller than existing IGBT IPM in DBC packages.

The first module in the new SLLIMM Compact series, the 20-A STGI15C60S, targets low- and medium-power motor-drive designs. The thermally efficient package with topside cooling ensures superior reliability in hard-switching circuit topologies operating at up to 20 kHz. As part of the STPOWER portfolio, the module contains two control ICs for driving the integrated high- and low-side IGBTs, as well as a bootstrap diode and protection circuitry.

The IGBTs leverage ST’s trench-gate and short-circuit rugged technology with very fast soft-recovery freewheeling diodes, combining low saturation voltage with stable dynamic performance for enhanced energy efficiency. High-side reference outputs arranged on the signal side of the dual-inline package help to simplify the bootstrap circuit layout.

While the driver design and IGBTs are optimized for low EMI, the package is fully isolated for safety with an isolation rating of 2,000 V RMS/min. Protection includes undervoltage lockout (UVLO) and smart shutdown that prevents operation in unsafe conditions or when a fault is detected. There’s also a temperature sensor and a comparator that designers can use to indicate any fault measurable as a voltage signal.

The STGI15C60S is in production now, in a CDIPB-26L DBC package, priced from $4.35 for orders of 1,000 pieces.