L6385D

L6385D integrated circuits are gate drivers developed by STMicroelectronics. They are designed for low-side/high-side switch implementation in automotive as well as industrial applications, such as battery packs, DC motors, actuators, etc. The L6385D gate driver is an integrated 6-channel half-bridge driver device comprising of an isolation module, voltage regulator, deadtime control and PMOS/NMOS drivers. These devices are specifically intended to drive MOSFETs and enhance the lifetime of the switching devices. This article provides an overview of the application field and working principle of the L6385D.

Application Field of L6385D

The L6385D devices are used in automotive as well as industrial applications. As per the datasheet, the L6385D gate drivers are suitable for switching high current loads running at elevated supply voltages. It includes a range of applications including AC and DC motor drives, fuel control units, battery packs, actuators, DC/DC converters, luminaires, solenoids, etc. The L6385D is designed with undervoltage, overvoltage, over-temperature and over-current protection features which makes it suitable for battery, industrial and automotive applications.

The L6385D gate driver provides better flexibility and scalability in applications where Modular Design, Broad Operating Voltage and Low Power Consumption are important factors. It is capable of controlling both NMOS and PMOS gate drivers simultaneously, making it an ideal solution for high-side/low-side N/P MOSFET gate driving applications. It also offers several integrated protection features such as short-circuit protection, over-voltage protection and thermal shutdown.

Working Principle of L6385D

The L6385D devices are a 6-channel half-bridge driver which enables simultaneous control of both PMOS and NMOS MOSFETs. It integrates a digital drive with integrated analog circuitry comprising a 7.5A rated output stage, Deadtime Control and a reverse polarity protection circuit.

The main feature of the L6385D gate driver is its isolated power supply which provides the flexibility to drive both high and low side FETs with different voltage levels. This allows the driver to control NMOS and PMOS drivers with a supply voltage of up to 24V. The L6385D also features an over-voltage protection circuitry that prevents any kind of over/reverse-voltage conditions.

The device also has a dead-time control circuitry which maintains a specific dead-time between high and low side FETs. This feature helps in preventing short circuits and improves the efficiency of the motor systems. The dead-time control circuit is adjustable from 0.05µs to 1µs.

The L6385D devices also feature an over-temperature protection mechanism which safeguards the device from excessive heat. All the integrated protection mechanisms together make the L6385D devices suitable for battery, automotive and industrial applications.

Conclusion

The L6385D gate driver from ST Microelectronics is an integrated half-bridge driver device designed specifically to control high current loads at high voltage levels. It offers several features such as an isolation module, voltage regulator, deadtime control and PMOS/NMOS drivers. It is suitable for automotive as well as industrial applications, in particular battery packs, DC motors, actuators and DC/DC converters. The integrated protection mechanisms make the L6385D gate driver a reliable and efficient solution for a wide range of applications.