mike buba
Member level 3
Hi All,
I have a general (basic) question about the gate drivers. I am looking into using SiC MOSFETs for my project, and I understand I need to use gate drivers to convert the PWM signal (0-3Vdc) to the high-current drive input (e.g., 0-12Vdc).
I came across this gate driver, CRD-001 Wolfspeed (datasheet), with the schematics shown below. The price is >$50. Even if I calculate the BoM price and try to do it myself, the price comes in at over $30.
On the other hand, MAX22701E (datasheet) is approximately $5, including the additional recommended circuit:
Both are isolated gate drivers, where MAX22701E has (proprietary) integrated digital galvanic isolation, and the CRD-001 (a more expensive one) uses an opto-isolator component. MAX22701E uses the board's Vcc, while CRD-001 uses two DC/DC converters (each costing approximately $15).
There is also the TI TIDA-01605 (web and schematics), which has +15Vdc for high and -4Vdc for low, where "negative driving voltages allow for safer operation and improved noise immunity", while in the previous two, I think, low is 0Vdc.
Basically, the question is which one is 'better', i.e., how to define what is 'better'.
Also, if I am to design my own gate driver, should I be leaning more towards the CRD-001 or the MAX22701E design or something else?
Thanks, MB
I have a general (basic) question about the gate drivers. I am looking into using SiC MOSFETs for my project, and I understand I need to use gate drivers to convert the PWM signal (0-3Vdc) to the high-current drive input (e.g., 0-12Vdc).
I came across this gate driver, CRD-001 Wolfspeed (datasheet), with the schematics shown below. The price is >$50. Even if I calculate the BoM price and try to do it myself, the price comes in at over $30.
On the other hand, MAX22701E (datasheet) is approximately $5, including the additional recommended circuit:
Both are isolated gate drivers, where MAX22701E has (proprietary) integrated digital galvanic isolation, and the CRD-001 (a more expensive one) uses an opto-isolator component. MAX22701E uses the board's Vcc, while CRD-001 uses two DC/DC converters (each costing approximately $15).
There is also the TI TIDA-01605 (web and schematics), which has +15Vdc for high and -4Vdc for low, where "negative driving voltages allow for safer operation and improved noise immunity", while in the previous two, I think, low is 0Vdc.
Basically, the question is which one is 'better', i.e., how to define what is 'better'.
Also, if I am to design my own gate driver, should I be leaning more towards the CRD-001 or the MAX22701E design or something else?
Thanks, MB