Driver ICs for high temperatures

Staff -- Control Engineering, 12/1/2006

Three driver ICs for high temperature applications (AECQ100, Grade 0) are available from Atmel Corp. ATA6824, AA6827, and ATA6832 are designed using the company’s high-voltage Smartis technology, said to enable extremely high chip temperatures of up to 200 °C. Ambient temperatures up to 150 °C can be achieved, allowing the devices to be used in such environments as high-temperature automotive applications. Smartis technology uses an SOI (silicon-on-insulator) substrate. The SOI technology’s dielectric isolation reportedly minimizes junction leakage, a major issue in high-temperature designs. SOI devices also are said to provide superior latch-up immunity for increased reliability of circuits operating in hot environments. Series of drivers provides several protection features: over-temperature shutdown, overload, and over-voltage protection, and protection against short circuits. Product meets automotive qualification demands and can withstand transients as specified in ISO/TR 7637. www.atmel.com

Atmel Corp.