STMicroelectronics has unveiled two half-bridge gate drivers that allow for a simpler configuration of driving circuits for GaN power devices. The new products are targeted at applications requiring both switching speed and protection functions, such as motion control, and their key feature is the ability to handle overcurrent and undervoltage while reducing the number of external components.

ST announced the STDRIVEG212 and STDRIVEG612 on April 14. Both products are drivers for enhanced GaN HEMTs that operate at high-side voltages of up to 220V and 600V, respectively, and are a product family designed with motion control and hard-switching applications in mind.

The difference between the two products lies in the supported voltage range. The STDRIVEG212 supports 220V class designs, while the STDRIVEG612 supports 600V class designs. Both products integrate high-side and low-side 5V LDOs, bootstrap diodes, and low-voltage cutoff functions, and feature a protection structure that shuts off both GaN switches when overcurrent is detected.

Protection functions do not end with blocking. The Smart Shutdown function is designed to maintain a shut-down state until the switch is sufficiently cooled, and can notify the outside of overcurrent, overheating, and undervoltage shutdown conditions via a fault pin. The propagation delay between the high-side and low-side is set to 50ns, and the high-side startup time is specified as 5µs. In addition, dV/dt transient response immunity of ±200V/ns is added to aim for stability in fast switching environments.

In terms of design, the turn-on and turn-off impedances can be controlled separately, allowing dV/dt and dI/dt to be adjusted without a separate turn-off diode. This approach aims to reduce component costs and lower gate-loop inductance. Both products are also equipped with a 20V allowable logic input and a dedicated shutdown pin.

The STDRIVEG212 and STDRIVEG612 are currently in production and are industrial-grade, operating from -40°C to 125°C. The package is a 4mm × 5mm QFN, and the price starts at $1.25 for a purchase of 1,000 units. An EVLSTDRIVEG212 evaluation board compatible with both products is also being supplied.