As industrial systems continue to evolve toward electrification, the demand for faster activation times has become critical. With rising voltage levels and peak currents reaching hundreds of amps, the need for rapid and reliable system response is more important than ever. At the same time, in-vehicle systems are becoming more sophisticated, requiring advanced electrical design solutions that ensure both performance and safety.
To meet these challenges, manufacturers are shifting from traditional mechanical systems to solid-state alternatives, including advanced protection circuits for power supplies, loads, and high-voltage components. This transition not only improves reliability but also opens up new possibilities for innovation in automotive and industrial applications.
So, how can engineers tackle the complex electrical design issues in these environments? The answer lies in innovative technologies like the LTC7000, a high-voltage side driver solution designed to address the growing demands of modern systems.
Mark Mullen, a design engineer at ADI’s Power Products Group, introduced the LTC7000 as a powerful solution for high-voltage side driving. This fast, high-side N-channel MOSFET gate driver accepts a low-voltage digital input signal referenced to ground and efficiently turns on or off a high-voltage MOSFET with a propagation delay of just 35ns. It supports voltages up to 135V and features rise and fall times as fast as 13ns when driving a 1000pF load, significantly reducing switching losses.
The LTC7000 also includes a strong 1Ω gate driver capable of handling large gate capacitance MOSFETs with minimal conversion time. Its overcurrent trip function makes it ideal for both high-frequency and static switching applications. Combined with built-in protection features such as fault marking, undervoltage lockout (UVLO), and overvoltage lockout (OVLO), the LTC7000 proves to be a valuable component in various industrial and automotive applications, including static switch drivers, load and power switch drivers, and relay replacements.
One of its key features is its low latency and fast response. The LTC7000 receives a low-voltage signal on the INP pin and shifts it up to VIN, allowing it to control the on-chip pull-up and pull-down devices for quick activation of a high-side N-channel MOSFET. This results in a propagation delay of about 35ns, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Another advantage is its low power loss and stability. The internal regulated floating supply between the BOOST and TS pins ensures a stable 12V, reducing power loss caused by the on-resistance of the external MOSFET. Even under high voltage and high-frequency transients, the LTC7000 maintains control over the external MOSFET, ensuring consistent performance.
The LTC7000 also offers an adjustable current limit. By adjusting the voltage on the ISET pin, users can set the current detection threshold between 20mV and 75mV. This flexibility allows for tailored protection based on specific application requirements. Additionally, the TIMER pin enables a customizable overcurrent delay period, ranging from 1.4μs to hundreds of milliseconds, depending on the capacitor value used.
If an overcurrent condition is detected, the open-drain FAULT pin is pulled low and remains active until the fault is cleared. For added control, users can configure the LTC7000 to latch up instead of automatically retrying after an overcurrent event by adding a 100kΩ resistor in parallel with the TIMER capacitor.
The LTC7000 also provides a current monitor output through the IMON pin, which allows users to measure the average current flowing through the high-side sensing resistor. This feature is particularly useful for real-time monitoring and diagnostics.
Finally, the LTC7000 includes adjustable undervoltage and overvoltage lockout features, ensuring the system operates within a safe voltage window. These protections help prevent damage to the load and improve overall system reliability.
In summary, the LTC7000 is a versatile and robust solution that empowers automotive and industrial manufacturers to enhance system performance and reliability. With its high voltage range, built-in protection, fast switching capabilities, and flexible configuration options, the LTC7000 is well-suited for a variety of applications, including static switch drivers, load and power switch drivers, electronic valve drivers, and high-frequency, high-voltage gate drivers.
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