Manchester, NH, USA - Allegro MicroSystems ("Allegro"), a global leader in sensing technologies and power semiconductor solutions for motion control and energy saving systems, announces two new full-bridge gate drivers for automotive and industrial applications that feature Direct control (A89505) and pulse width modulation (A89506) options allow key functions to be up-integrated to simplify system design, replacing mechanical relays with solid-state drives to improve performance and reliability. With flexible interface logic, With built-in features such as programmable gate drive for EMI reduction, motor current feedback, and multiple diagnostic features, these devices require few external components and are packaged in a 4x4mm QFN package that is 36% smaller than comparable 5x5mm devices.
The A89505 and A89506 are ideal for applications such as window and door actuators, electric vehicle charger locks, electronic parking brakes and folding mirrors. The solid-state design of these devices also makes them ideal for battery-powered applications that include brushed DC motors, such as building automation and robotics, improving system reliability and battery life while enabling smaller footprint designs.
Both drivers include built-in current sensing, eliminating the need for external current sensing resistors and reducing the number of external components required to seven, and integrated diagnostics that eliminate the need for additional microprocessor programming and other additional circuits. Designers can integrate required functionality into a smaller system footprint, reducing bill of materials (BOM) and printed circuit board size, while increasing performance and improving the consumer experience.
The A89505 and A89506 build on Allegro's decades of motor control expertise. Both products offer an absolute maximum supply voltage of 50V, higher gate drive voltage at low VBB, and higher efficiency when operating from a battery, allowing designers to use lower cost FETs . These devices also reduce current consumption during standby to reduce overall battery load.
"As vehicles continue to move toward full electrification, designers are looking for motor drives that can improve system performance and battery life without increasing system design size," said Steve Lutz, director of Allegro's motor drives business. The same goes for application designers. In addition to being 36% smaller than other drivers on the market, the A89505 and A89506 integrate more advanced features and functions to help designers reduce the overall PCB size and be able to fit everything they need into a more compact modules. Both drivers are easier to use and implement than relays or discrete systems, reducing power consumption while increasing overall reliability.”
More integrated features increase design flexibility
Compared to mechanical relays, the A89505 and A89506 gate drivers provide better motor control and reduce the number of external components required. Programmable gate drivers reduce EMI and transients caused by fast switching, and both drivers can regulate gate current to better control the slew rate of the external MOSFET.
Both the A89505 and A89506 gate drivers contain current limit detection flags that are triggered when the programmable current limit is reached. This feature allows the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) to detect pinches or stalls and to overdrive the motor in icing or freezing conditions.
