IR Releases Reference Design for IR2161 Transformer IC

International Rectifier Corp. (IR, El Segundo, CA) announced a complete reference design circuit for the IR2161 halogen transformer IC. The reference design is a pre-fabricated and proven circuit for halogen lighting applications, which can simplify the design process and streamline time-to-market.

The "electronic transformer" reference circuit features compensated load regulation, short-circuit and overload protection with over-temperature shutdown, and is compatible with all dimmer types. An EMI filter is also included.

The IR2161 features adaptive dead-time control, which increases transformer reliability by continually maintaining soft switching, regardless of external conditions. The IR2161 detects the point at which the dc bus voltage in the half bridge slews to 0 V, and sets the low-side driver high. An internal sample-and-hold system allows approximately the same delay to be used to set the high-side driver high after the low-side driver has gone low.

The IR2161 reference design, IRPLHALO1E, is now available. Pricing is $175 each. Pricing for the IR2161 begins at $0.73 each (IR2163S) in 100,000-piece quantities.