Littelfuse, Inc., a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world, announced the release of the IX4352NEAU automotive-qualified low-side gate driver designed to meet the growing demands of SiC MOSFET and IGBT control in electric vehicle (EV) powertrain and DC-DC converter applications.
The IX4352NEAU is the first AEC-Q100-qualified low-side gate driver to offer an integrated and adjustable negative gate drive bias, eliminating the need for an external negative voltage rail or the costly DC-DC converters typically required to suppress parasitic turn-on of high-speed power devices. This unique capability simplifies gate driver design, improves switching performance, and reduces total system cost.
“By integrating the IX4352NEAU in their latest designs, our customers can develop safer, more compact, and more efficient power systems,” said June Zhang, Product Manager, Integrated Circuits Division at Littelfuse. “This helps accelerate their time to market, while reducing total system cost in the growing markets of automotive DC-DC converters and automotive drivetrains.”
Key Features and Benefits
- Adjustable negative gate drive bias (down to −10 V): Improves dv/dt immunity, suppresses parasitic turn-on, and ensures faster turn-off of SiC MOSFETs and IGBTs.
- 9 A peak source and sink drive capability (separate pins): Enables tailored turn-on and turn-off timing to optimize efficiency and reduce switching losses.
- Integrated protections: DESAT detection, active soft shutdown, UVLO, TSD, and fault output: Enhances system reliability and protects valuable power switches during fault conditions.
- Integrated high-brightness LEDs in multiple colors and bi-color options
- 3.3 V TTL/CMOS-compatible inputs: Tolerant up to 7 V, allowing easy interfacing with most control logic.
- AEC-Q100 qualified and thermally robust: Ensures consistent performance across a wide temperature range, with improved thermal threshold accuracy and charge pump operation maintained during thermal shutdown.
Markets & Application
- Automotive DC-DC Converters
- Electric Vehicle Drivetrains
- EV Inverters and Motor Drives
- Switching Power Supplies
Market Differentiators
Compared to conventional low-side gate drivers, the IX4352NEAU increases power density, reduces component count, and provides a safer overcurrent turn-off transition. Its built-in charge pump regulator with adjustable negative bias is a market first, offering automotive designers a fully integrated solution to overcome parasitic turn-on and improve switching behavior in SiC- and IGBT-based systems.
The IX4352NEAU is an automotive-grade extension of the proven commercial-grade IX4352NE, optimized to meet the strict reliability and performance demands of automotive environments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Quick answers to common questions about the IX4352NEAU Gate Driver
1. What makes the IX4352NEAU unique compared to other gate drivers?
The IX4352NEAU is the first AEC-Q100-qualified low-side gate driver with an integrated, adjustable negative gate bias down to −10 V. This eliminates the need for an external negative voltage supply, thereby reducing component count and system cost.
2. Which power devices can the IX4352NEAU drive?
It’s designed specifically to drive SiC MOSFETs and high-power IGBTs, with separate 9 A peak source and sink outputs for tailored switching performance. It’s ideal for fast-switching applications in EVs and other automotive systems.
3. What protections are built into the device?
The IX4352NEAU includes DESAT detection, active soft shutdown, thermal shutdown, and undervoltage lockout (UVLO). These features safeguard both the gate driver and the power transistors in the event of overcurrent or other fault conditions.
4. How does the IX4352NEAU benefit automotive EV applications?
The IX4352NEAU helps EV designers achieve higher power density and switching efficiency in systems like traction inverters and DC-DC converters. Its automotive qualification, integrated negative gate bias, and robust protection features simplify design, enhance reliability, and reduce the need for additional components—making it ideal for demanding EV powertrain environments.
Availability:
The IX4352NEAU is available in a 16-pin narrow package in tape and reel format (2,000/reel). Sample requests can be submitted through authorized Littelfuse distributors worldwide. For a listing of Littelfuse distributors, please visit Littelfuse.com.
For More Information:
Additional information is available on the IX4352NEAU Low-Side Gate Driver product page. Require technical support? Please visit the Littelfuse website or reach out directly to:
- Simon Foley, Product Marketing Manager, Integrated Circuits Division (SBU): Sfoley@Littelfuse.com;
- Tony Konopka, Product Marketing Engineer, Integrated Circuits Division (SBU): AKonopka@littelfuse.com;
