EL SEGUNDO, CA. January 1999 - International Rectifier (IR^Ò), the power expert, now offers a new Maxi Series of Intelligent Power Switches (IPS) featuring the industry's most extensive array of protection features. Designed to handle high current loads safely with low power dissipation, these IPS devices integrate a very low R_DS(on) (to 5mW) output power MOSFET for lower heat dissipation.

The fail-safe, high current handling and low dissipation capabilities are important for factory automation and automotive applications. As reliability requirements become more stringent to reduce warranty return and associated expenses, designers are looking to replace electro-mechanical relays with solid state devices that dissipate little heat while safely switching large amounts of current. Ideal applications are found in smart fuse boxes, diesel glow plugs, direct injectors, pump motors, radiator fans, headlamps and other safety critical systems.

Added value benefits for the IPS Maxi Series include:

SAFE HIGH CURRENT HANDLING CAPABILITY -- To 75A with fully integrated electrical, mechanical and thermal designs. Integral temperature sensor assures safe and reliable over-temperature shutdown under any transient conditions.

NO EXTRA EXTERNAL COMPONENTS FOR FULL PROTECTION -- The integrated protection features eliminate the need for extra external protection components. Even obscure conditions, such as loss of ground and loss of supply that could otherwise cause parasitic damages, have been taken into account.

REDUCED EMI -- Internal slew rate control for turn-on/off and the use of a low noise charge pump for the high-side IPS means lower EMI. Ground noise generation of less than 10mA is the industry lowest figure.

ISOLATION FROM GROUND LOOP -- High-side IPS products are uniquely designed to handle large offsets from logic ground to load or chassis ground due to harness or contact resistance and corrosion.

WORK WITH PWM CONTROL FOR LINEAR SOLENOID AND DC MOTOR -- A novel level-shifted active clamp circuit in the high-side IPS allows these devices to act as active switches even during recirculation of inductive energy. This scheme permits full utilization of PWM control required for linear solenoid and DC motor.

The new IPS Maxi Series is available in standard TO-220 and D²Pak packages, and in the new Super-220 ä package that is thermally and mechanically enhanced to handle up to 75A of current.

Interfacing to the micro-controller is very simple with full logic level compatibility. The 3-terminal low-side IPS is also pin compatible to the discrete counterpart, but of course with an added safety upgrade. The high-side IPS also offers diagnostic feedback.

Available devices in the IPS Maxi Series include: