Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272 Hybrid IC
IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
VLA500-01
1Rev. 2/08
Description:
VLA500-01 is a hybrid integrated
circuit designed for driving IGBT
modules. This device is a fully
isolated gate drive circuit consist-
ing of an optimally isolated gate
drive amplifier and an isolated
DC-to-DC converter. The gate
driver provides an over-current
protection function based on
desaturation detection.
Features:
£ Built-in Isolated DC-to-DC
Converter for Gate Drive
£ SIP Outline Allows More Space
on Mounting Area
£ Built-in Short-Circuit Protection
(With Fault Output)
£ Variable Fall Time on Short-
Circuit Protection
£ Electrical Isolation Voltage
Between Input and Output
(2500 Vrms for 1 Minute)
£ TTL Compatible Input
Application:
To drive IGBT modules for inverter
or AC servo systems applications
Recommended IGBT Modules:
600V module up to 600A
1200V module up to 1400A
Outline Drawing and Circuit Diagram
Dimensions Inches Millimeters
A 3.27 83.0
B 1.3 33.0
C 0.61 15.5
D 0.2 5.0
E 0.1 2.54
F 0.45 11.5
G 0.18 4.5
Note: All dimensions listed are maximums except E.
130
A
B
C
F
G
D
D
E
25
19
20
27
29
28
30
23
24
21
22
26
REGULATOR
16.4 VDC
DC-DC
CONVERTER
Viso =
2500VRMS
FAULT
LATCH
AND TIMER
INTERFACE
BUFFER
OPTO COUPLER
180Ω
+
–
+
–
VGE
DETECTOR
VCC
GND
SHUTDOWN
SPEED ADJUST
FAULT
ttrip ADJUST
VCE DETECT
VO
VEE
CONTROL
INPUT
5V
1
2
3
4
6
7
VD
15V
VLA500-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
2 Rev. 2/08
Absolute Maximum Ratings, Ta = 25°C unless otherwise specified
Characteristics Symbol VLA500-01 Units
Supply Voltage, DC VD -1 ~ 16.5 Volts
Input Signal Voltage (Applied between Pin 6 - 7, 50% Duty Cycle, Pulse Width 1ms) Vi -1 ~ 7 Volts
Output Voltage (When the Output Voltage is "H") VO VCC Volts
Output Current IOHP -12 Amperes
(Pulse Width 2µs) IOLP 12 Amperes
Isolation Voltage (Sine Wave Voltage 60HZ, for 1 Minute) VISO 2500 Vrms
Case Temperature1 (Surface Temperature Opto-coupler Location)*** TC1 85 °C
Case Temperature2 (Surface Temperature Except Opto-coupler Location) TC2 100 °C
Operating Temperature (No Condensation Allowable) Topr -20 to 60 °C
Storage Temperature (No Condensation Allowable) Tstg -25 to 100* °C
Fault Output Current (Applied Pin 28) IFO 20 mA
Input Voltage to Pin 30 (Applied Pin 30) VR30 50 Volts
Gate Drive Current (Average) Idrive 210** mA
*Differs from temperature cycle condition.
**Refer to Idrive VS. Ta CHARACTERISTICS (TYPICAL) graph. (Needs Derating)
***TC1 Measurement Point (opto-coupler location)
Electrical and Mechanical Characteristics, Ta = 25°C unless otherwise specified, VD = 15V, RG = 2.2
W
)
Characteristics Symbol Test Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Units
Supply Voltage VD Recommended Range 14.2 15 15.8 Volts
Pull-up Voltage on Input Side VIN Recommended Range 4.75 5 5.25 Volts
"H" Input Current IIH Recommended Range 15.2 16 19 mA
Switching Frequency f Recommended Range — — 20 kHz
Gate Resistance RG Recommended Range 1 — — W
"H" Input Current IIH V
IN = 5V — 16 — mA
Gate Positive Supply Voltage VCC — 15.2 — 17.5 Volts
Gate Negative Supply Voltage VEE — -6 — -11.5 Volts
Gate Supply Efficiency Eta Load Current = 210mA 60 75 — %
E
ta = (VCC + |VEE|) x 0.21 / (15 x ID) x 100
"H" Output Voltage VOH 10kW Connected Between Pin 23-20 14 15.3 16.5 Volts
"L" Output Voltage VOL 10kW Connected Between Pin 23-20 -5.5 — -11 Volts
"L-H" Propagation Time tPLH I
IH = 16mA 0.3 0.6 1 µs
"L-H" Rise Time tr I
IH = 16mA — 0.3 1 µs
"H-L" Propagation Time tPHL I
IH = 16mA 0.6 1 1.3 µs
"H-L" Fall Time tf I
IH = 16mA — 0.3 1 µs
MARKING SIDE
TC1 MEASUREMENT POINT
(OPTO-COUPLER LOCATION)
VLA500-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
3Rev. 2/08
VD = 14.2V
50
25
20
15
40
45
35
30
10
5
0 0 100 300 200 400 500 600 800 700
t2
VD =
15V
VD = 15.8V
VCC
|VEE|
tPLH
tPHL
tPLH
tPHL
t1
VD = 15V
Ta = 25C
CONNECTIVE CAPACITANCE, Ctrip, (pF) (Pin: 27 – 21)
FALL TIME ON ACTIVITY OF
SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION, t1, t2, (µs)
t1, t2 VS. Cs CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
16
24
22
20
18
14
12
8
10
-20 0 20 60 40 80
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, Ta, (°C)
VCC, |VEE|, (VOLTS)
VCC, |VEE| VS. T a CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
VD = 15V
RG = 2.2 W
Load: CM1400DU-24NF
f = 10KHz D.F. = 50%
6
14
18
16
12
10
4
6
8
0 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.15 0.25
LOAD CURRENT, IO, (AMPERES) (Pin: 19 – 21, 22)
VCC, |VEE|, (VOLTS)
VCC, |VEE| VS. IO CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
Ta = 25°C
DC Load
3.5
6.0
5.0
5.5
4.5
4.0
3.0
2.5
1.5
2.0
-20 0 20 60 40 80
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, Ta, (°C)
CONTROLLED TIME DETECT
SHORT-CIRCUIT, ttrip1, ttrip2, (µs)
ttrip VS. Ta CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
1.0
1.0
1.6
1.4
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.2
0.4
-20 0 20 60 40 80
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, Ta, (°C)
PROPAGATION DELAY TIME “L-H”, tPLH, (µs)
PROPAGATION DELAY TIME “H-L”, tPHL, (µs)
tPLH, tPHL VS. T a CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
0
1.0
1.6
1.4
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.2
0.4
3.5 4.0 4.5 5.5 5.0 6.0
INPUT SIGNAL VOLTAGE, VI, (VOLTS)
PROPAGATION DELAY TIME “L-H”, tPLH, (µs)
PROPAGATION DELAY TIME “H-L”, tPHL, (µs)
tPLH, tPHL VS. V I CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
0
VD =
15V
VD = 15.8V
VD = 14.2V
VD = 15V
RG = 2.2 W
VIN = 5.0V
Load: CM1400DU-24NF
VD = 15V
RG = 2.2 W
Ta = 25°C
Load: CM1400DU-24NF
VD = 15V
RG = 2.2 W
Load: CM1400DU-24NF
ttrip2 (Ctrip = 10pF)
ttrip1 (Ctrip = 0pF)
Electrical and Mechanical Characteristics, Ta = 25°C unless otherwise specified, VD = 15V, RG = 2.2
W
)
Characteristics Symbol Test Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Units
Timer ttimer Between Start and Cancel 1 — 2 ms
(Under Input Sign "L")
Fault Output Current IFO Applied Pin 28, R = 4.7kW — 5 — mA
Controlled Time Detect Short-Circuit 1 ttrip1 Pin 30 : 15V and More, Pin 29 : Open — 2.8 — µs
Controlled Time Detect Short-Circuit 2* ttrip2 Pin 30 : 15V and More, Pin 29-21, 22 : 10pF — 3.2 — µs
(Connective Capacitance)
SC Detect Voltage VSC Collector Voltage of Module 15 — — Volts
*Length of wiring from Ctrip to Pins 21, 22, and 29 must be less than 5cm.
VLA500-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
4 Rev. 2/08
VD = 16.5V
20
10
8
6
16
18
14
12
4
2
0
14.0 14.5 15.515.0 16.0 16.5 17.0
VCC VD =
15V
|VEE|
Ta = 25°C
SUPPLY VOLTAGE, VD, (VOLTS)
VIN
(PIN 6 TO 7)
VO
(PIN 23 TO 22)
90%
50%
10%
trtf
tPLH tPHL
VCC, |VEE|, (VOLTS)
VCC, |VEE| VS. VD CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL) 0.25
0.20
0.15
0
0.05
0.10
020406080
AMBIENT TEMPERAT URE, Ta, (°C)
GATE DRIVE CURRENT, Idrive, (AMPERES)
Ta VS. Idrive CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
RG = 1.1 W
Load: CM1400DU-24NF
65
75
70
60
55
45
50
14.0 14.5 15.0 16.0 16.515.5 17.0
SUPPLY VOLTAGE, VD, (VOLTS)
EFFICIENCY, Eta, (%)
Eta, VS. VD CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL) SWITCHING TIME DEFINITIONS
40
50
80
70
60
40
30
10
20
0 0.05 0.10 0.200.15 0.25
GATE DRIVE CURRENT, Idrive, (AMPERES)
EFFICIENCY, Eta, (%)
Eta VS. Idrive CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
0
IO = 0.1A
Ta = 25°C
VD = 15V
Ta = 25°C
VOH
|VOL|
5
9
8
7
6
4
3
1
2
02550 10075 125
CONNECTIVE CAPACITANCE, Ctrip, (pF) (Pin: 29 – 21)
CONTROLLED TIME DETECT
SHORT-CIRCUIT, ttrip, (µs)
ttrip VS. Ctrip CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
VD = 15V
Ta = 25°C
0
VD = 15V
RG = 2.2 W
Load: CM1400DU-24NF
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.2
0 0.05 0.10 0.200.15 0.25
LOAD CURRENT, IO, (AMPERES) (Pin: 19 – 21, 22)
INPUT CURRENT, ID, (AMPERES)
ID VS. IO CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
VD = 15V
Ta = 25°C
0
14
22
20
18
16
12
10
6
8
-20 0206040 80
AMBIENT TEMPERAT URE, Ta, (°C)
“H” OUTPUT VOLTAGE, VOH, (VOLTS)
“L” OUTPUT VOLTAGE, |VOL|, (VOLTS)
VOH, |VOL| VS. Ta CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)
4
VLA500-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
5Rev. 2/08
+
C2
1 2 3 7 26 27
23 24 25
17 18 19 20 21 22 30
28
Control
C3
RG
Ctrip
C1
G
E
IGBT MODULE
R2
R1
CS
DZ1
D1
DZ2
DZ3
OP1
+15V
Common
+5V
Fault
R3
R4
C4
B1
4 5 6
+ +
29
VLA500-01
Component Selection:
Design Typical Value Description
D1 0.5A VCE detection diode – fast recovery, Vrrm > VCES of IGBT being used (Note 1)
DZ1 30V, 0.5W Detect input pin surge voltage protection (Note 2)
DZ2, DZ3 18V, 1.0W Gate surge voltage protection
C1 150µF, 35V VD supply decoupling – Electrolytic, long life, low Impedance, 105°C (Note 3)
C2, C3 100-1000µF, 35V DC/DC output filter – Electrolytic, long life, low Impedance, 105°C (Note 3,4)
C4 0.01µF Fault feedback signal noise filter
CS 0-1000pF Adjust soft shutdown – Multilayer ceramic or film (see application note)
Ctrip 0-200pF Adjust trip time – Multilayer ceramic or film (see application note)
R1 4.7kΩ, 0.25W Fault sink current limiting resistor
R2 3.3kΩ, 0.25W Fault signal noise suppression resistor
R3 1kΩ, 0.25W Fault feedback signal noise filter
R4 4.7kΩ, 0.25W Fault feedback signal pull-up
OP1 NEC PS2501 Opto-coupler for fault feedback signal isolation
B1 CMOS Buffer 74HC04 or similar – Must actively pull high to maintain noise immunity
Notes:
(1) The VCE detection diode should have a blocking voltage rating equal to or greater than the VCES of the IGBT
being driven. Recovery time should be less than 200ns to prevent application of high voltage to Pin 30.
(2) DZ1 is necessary to protect Pin 30 of the driver from voltage surges during the recovery of D1.
(3) Power supply input and output decoupling capacitors should be connected as close as possible to the pins of the gate driver.
(4) DC-to-DC converter output decoupling capacitors must be sized to have appropriate ESR and ripple current
capability for the IGBT being driven.
Application Circuit
VLA500-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
6 Rev. 2/08
General Description
The VLA500-01 is a hybrid integrated circuit designed to
provide gate drive for high power IGBT modules. This
circuit has been optimized for use with Powerex NF-
Series and A-Series IGBT modules. However, the
output characteristics are compatible with most MOS
gated power devices. The VLA500-01 features a com-
pact single-in-line package design. The upright mount-
ing minimizes required printed circuit board space to
allow efficient and flexible layout. The VLA500-01
converts logic level control signals into fully isolated
+15V/-8V gate drive with up to12A of peak drive current.
Isolated drive power is provided by a built in DC-to-DC
converter and control signal isolation is provided by an
integrated high speed opto-coupler. Short circuit protec-
tion is provided by means of destauration detection.
Short Circuit Protection
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a typical desatura-
tion detector. In this circuit, a high voltage fast recovery
diode (D1) is connected to the IGBT’s collector to moni-
tor the collector to emitter voltage. When the IGBT is in
the off state, VCE is high and D1 is reverse biased. With
D1 off the (+) input of the comparator is pulled up to
the positive gate drive power supply (V+) which is nor-
mally +15V. When the IGBT turns on, the comparators
(+) input is pulled down by D1 to the IGBT’s VCE(sat).
The (-) input of the comparator is supplied with a fixed
voltage (Vtrip). During a normal on-state condition the
comparator’s (+) input will be less than Vtrip and it’s out-
put will be low. During a normal off-state condition the
comparator’s (+) input will be larger than Vtrip and it’s out-
put will be high. If the IGBT turns on into a short circuit,
the high current will cause the IGBT’s collector-emitter
voltage to rise above Vtrip even though the gate of the
IGBT is being driven on. This abnormal presence of
high VCE when the IGBT is supposed to be on is often
called desaturation. Desaturation can be detected by
a logical AND of the driver’s input signal and the com-
parator output. When the output of the AND goes high
a short circuit is indicated. The output of the AND can
be used to command the IGBT to shut down in order
to protect it from the short circuit. A delay (ttrip) must be
provided after the comparator output to allow for the nor-
mal turn on time of the IGBT. The ttrip delay is set so
that the IGBT's VCE has enough time to fall below Vtrip
during normal turn on switching. If ttrip is set too short,
erroneous desaturation detection will occur. The maxi-
mum allowable ttrip delay is limited by the IGBT’s short
circuit withstanding capability. In typical applications
using Powerex IGBT modules the recommended limit is
10µs.
Operation of the VLA500-01 Desaturation Detector
The Powerex VLA500-01 incorporates short circuit
protection using desaturation detection as described
above. A flow chart for the logical operation of the short-
circuit protection is shown in Figure 2. When a desatura-
tion is detected the hybrid gate driver performs a soft
shutdown of the IGBT and starts a timed (ttimer) 1.5ms
lock out. The soft turn-off helps to limit the transient
voltage that may be generated while interrupting the
large short circuit current flowing in the IGBT. During the
lock out the driver pulls Pin 28 low to indicate the fault
status. Normal operation of the driver will resume after
the lock-out time has expired and the control input signal
returns to its off state.
Adjustment of Trip Time
The VLA500-01 has a default short-circuit detection
time delay (ttrip) of approximately 3µs. This will prevent
erroneous detection of short-circuit conditions as long
as the series gate resistance (RG) is near the mini-
mum recommended value for the module being used.
The 3µs delay is appropriate for most applications so
adjustment will not be necessary. However, in some low
frequency applications it may be desirable to use a
larger series gate resistor to slow the switching of
the IGBT, reduce noise, and limit turn-off transient
GATE
DRIVE
IGBT
MODULE
AND
INPUT
V+
D1
Vtrip
C
E
G
E
RG
DELAY
ttrip COMPARE
SHUTDOWN
+
Figure 1. Desaturation Detector
VLA500-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver +
DC/DC Converter
Powerex, Inc., 200 E. Hillis Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
7Rev. 2/08
voltages. When RG is increased, the switching delay
time of the IGBT will also increase. If the delay be-
comes long enough so that the voltage on the detect Pin
30 is greater than VSC at the end of the ttrip delay the
driver will erroneously indicate that a short circuit has
occurred. To avoid this condition the VLA500-01 has
provisions for extending the ttrip delay by connecting a
capacitor (Ctrip) between Pin 29 and VEE (Pins 21 and
22). A curve showing the effect of adding Ctrip on time
is given in the characteristic data section of this data
sheet. The waveform defining trip time (ttrip) is shown
in Figure 3. If ttrip is extended care must be exercised
not to exceed the short-circuit withstanding capability
of the IGBT module. Normally this will be satisfied for
Powerex NF and A-Series IGBT modules as long as the
total shut-down time does not exceed 10µs.
Adjustment of Soft Shutdown Speed
As noted above the VLA500-01 provides a soft turn-off
when a short circuit is detected in order to help limit the
transient voltage surge that occurs when large short
circuit currents are interrupted. The default shutdown
speed will work for most applications so adjustment is
usually not necessary. In this case CS can be omitted.
In some applications using large modules or parallel
connected devices it may be helpful to make the shut-
down even softer. This can be accomplished by
connecting a capacitor (CS) at Pin 27. A curve showing
the effect of CS on short circuit fall time (t1, t2) is given
in the characteristic data section of this data sheet. The
waveform defining the fall time characteristics is shown
in Figure 3.
NO
START
IS
VCE > VSC
IS
VCE > VSC
IS
INPUT
SIGNAL
ON
SLOW SHUTDOWN
DISABLE OUTPUT
SET FAULT SIGNAL
WAIT ttimer
IS
INPUT
SIGNAL
OFF
YES
NO
DELAY
ttrip
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
CLEAR FAULT
SIGNAL
ENABLE OUTPUT
Figure 2. VLA500-01 Desaturation Detector
10%
50%
-5V
90%
t1
10V 10V
ttimer
ttrip
VO
(PIN 23)
FAULT SIGNAL
(PIN 28)
SHORT CIRCUIT
PROTECTION
TIMING
DIAGRAM
(PIN 30 OPEN)
t2
Figure 3. Adjustment of ttrip and Slow Shutdown Speed
