EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - International Rectifier, IRŪ (NYSE: IRF), introduces the IR2136 family of three-phase inverter-driver ICs for variable speed motor drives. The new ICs integrate six MOSFET or IGBT high voltage gate drivers with a range of protection functions at 30% lower system cost than opto-coupler solutions. These ICs also simplify design with as much as 30% lower component count and shrink gate drive circuit size by up to 50% compared to alternative solutions.

The IR2136 IC family is designed to decrease the cost and complexity of energy-efficient, electronically-driven variable speed electric motors for home appliances such as laundry washers and air conditioners, as well as light industrial and automotive motor drives.

"Appliance manufacturers are transitioning to variable speed motors to save more than 50% energy and enable new features. The latest water-saving clothes washers use high voltage gate driver ICs to implement energy-efficient electronically-driven, variable speed motors. IR's new inverter-driver ICs contain the functionality and protection to make variable speed motor technology practical for the competitive appliance market," said Alberto Guerra, Director, Appliance Business Unit, at International Rectifier.

Technical Highlights

The 600V IR2136 ICs are CMOS- or LSTTL-output compatible, down to 3.3V logic for direct interface with a microcontroller or other logic devices and offer 120mA/250mA output source/sink current. The new ICs enable rugged designs with up to 50V/ns dV/dt immunity and low di/dt drive current for noise immunity.

The IR2136 delivers higher performance than opto-couplers or transformers, and allows high frequency operation with a deadtime as low as 250ns, and a typical turn-on/turn-off time of 400ns. The output drivers feature a high pulse current buffer stage designed for minimum driver cross-conduction. The IC integrates cross-conduction prevention logic to eliminate short-circuit conditions. Matched propagation delays for all six channels in the single IC package ensure consistent high frequency operation. High frequency provides better motor torque performance at low speed and reduces audible noise.

An over-current current trip function terminates all six outputs, and can be derived from an external current sense resistor. An open-drain fault signal to the main controller indicates that an over-current or under-voltage shutdown has occurred. An enable function is available to terminate all six outputs simultaneously. Over-current fault conditions are cleared automatically after a delay programmed externally via an R-C network.

The IR2136 ICs are well suited for 110V to 360V input inverters up to 2kW, used for AC induction, brushless DC or switched reluctance motor drivers.

Part Number	Package	VoltageVS and Output Source/Sink Current	VCC Range and VBS Range	Deadtime and Itrip Level	Features
IR2136 IR2136J IR2136S	28-leadPDIP 44-leadPLCC 28-lead SOIC	600V +120 / -250 mA	10V-25V with UVLO	200ns min 0.46V	All inputs inverting Separate high- and low-inputs Under-voltage lockout on all drivers Overcurrent comparator built in Latching fault logic Programmable fault clear delay Soft turn-on driver
IR21362 IR21362J IR21362S	28-leadPDIP 44-leadPLCC 28-lead SOIC	600V +120 / -250 mA	11.5V-25V with UVLO	200ns min 0.46V	Same as IR2136, except: High side noninverting Higher UV lockout threshold
IR21363 IR21363J IR21363S	28-leadPDIP 44-leadPLCC 28-lead SOIC	600V +120 / -250 mA	12V-25V with UVLO	200ns min 0.46V	Same as IR2136, except: High side noninverting
IR21365 IR21365J IR21365S	28-leadPDIP 44-leadPLCC 28-lead SOIC	600V +120 / -250 mA	12V-25V with UVLO	200ns min 4.25V	Same as IR2136, except: Higher Itrip level Higher UV lockout threshold

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for the new IR2136 is US $3.40 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Production orders are available immediately.

High Resolution JPEGs are available in the Press Room.