Silicon Labs and Teledyne e2v Collaborate on Hi-Rel Electronics
The collaboration between Silicon Labs and Teledyne Defense Electronics has delivered high-reliability (HiRel) isolation technology to space, military, and oil industries.
Teledyne is offering a line of HiRel products that is based on Silicon Labs’ isolated gate driver technology with a focus on satellite power systems supporting satellite communications.
The new line of HiRel technology will utilize Silicon Lab’s isolated gate drivers in the new Teledyne design. Image used courtesy of Teledyne HiRel Electronics.
HiRel Technology From Silicon Labs
Silicon Labs has been designing for the Internet of Things (IoT), internet infrastructure, industrial automation, consumer, and automotive markets. With an extensive portfolio in reliable solutions, they have proven that a new partnership with Teledyne has led to an expansion in market sectors. Silicon Labs plans to have its patented gate drivers enter zero gravity to assist on large aerospace and defense designs.
The HiRel technology is fueled by Silicon Labs’ Si827x isolated gate drivers which are ideal for SiC or GaN FET gate applications since they require fast-switching capabilities. The Si827x, 4 amp ISO drivers offer 2.5k(Vrms) with max 60ns propagation delay and features high-transient immunity. This allows the driver to mitigate noise that may try to interfere with the system.
The isolated gate drivers are able to withstand operating temperatures ranging from -40 to 125 degrees Celsius. Image used courtesy of Silicon Labs.
Silicon Labs’ drivers have been used for solar power inverters, switchmode power supplies, motor control, onboard charging, charging stations, and battery management systems.
Vice President and General Manager of Power Products at Silicon Labs, Brian Mirkin discussed the impact of Teledyne and Silicon Labs partnership, "The combination of Silicon Labs' industry-leading isolation with Teledyne's expertise in space and aerospace will give high-reliability customers a new level of performance in their complex systems."
A simplified block diagram for a single Si827x channel. Image used courtesy of Silicon Labs.
Brian also commented on how their patented Si827x drivers will easily integrate into the new markets, "Our proprietary silicon isolation technology is ideal for specialized markets such as aerospace that require high-performance noise immunity, and flexible driver configurations to successfully manage high-speed switching requirements."
The Si827x has a simple architecture that provides a robust isolated data path and requires no special considerations or initialization at start-up.
Teledyne’s Defense Electronics
Teledyne is able to bring the HiRel technology from Silicon Labs into space and defense sectors. Teledyne has packaged Si827x into two design options, single and dual 650V GaN power HEMTs TD650 family.
The TD650 features the TDGD27x family of gate drivers which have high noise transients generated by the faster switching and do not affect signal integrity through the driver. The driver is able to anticipate potential inrush current and mitigate undesired noise, removing the risk of incorrect switching or latch-up. Teledyne has elegantly integrated Silicon Labs’ isolated gate drivers in a single or dual OP amp setup in a single package.
Options for single or dual 4 Amp gate drivers will be available for fast-switching environments where high levels of excess harmonics are present. Image used courtesy of Teledyne.
Teledyne e2v HiRel Vice President of Business Development, Mont Taylor shared his thoughts on bringing a new device to Teledyne’s established market, "we anticipate a great deal of demand from our customer base with this new level of isolation reliability excellence we are able to offer."
Mont Taylor has high hopes for the new partnership, "Our HiRel customers are seeking robust power solutions, and we are confident this new partnership with Silicon Labs will deliver a new caliber of isolated gate drivers that will help space, aerospace, oil and gas, and military companies enhance and strengthen their system designs."
The collaborative efforts to create the isolated gate drivers are one of many devices we can expect to hit the market starting by the end of 2020.
