Any tips for a full bridge FET driver? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: SK_Caterpilar_SK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2021, 11:39:13 pm
content: I am sorry for this dumb question- I have been looking for a single IC solution to drive a full bridge SMPS but I only found the stuff that has its own oscillator ? So far my best solution was to put together two hallf brigde drivers or 4 individual drivers. Could anyone by any chance point me to a still manufactured available components ? (full bridge power supply topology and it will be mains powered ofcourse. 240V mains powered. Most common drivers I have seen are up to 600V) SMD or THT dont matter to me. Just a working IC for this appliation.(I prefer to avoid GDTs at all costs)

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 12:31:26 am
content: Use two dual bootstrap drivers?I think there are a few full bridge (with specific modulation modes?) controllers out there, maybe including bootstrap drivers themselves -- worth looking into.I recall last time I went looking, there weren't any that were simple enough to use as a general-purpose modulator, e.g. for phase shift PWM, which was my interest for the outing, so I didn't record anything otherwise usable. Think there was a UCxxxx (TI, nee Unitrode) one that might be promising, though somewhat pricey and maybe not available forever (a lot of old UC parts have been obsoleted, and I'm not sure which ones in this product range are popular).You may need an aux supply, these things aren't always as easy to self-power as a UC3842 or the like. YMMV.Tim

author: SK_Caterpilar_SK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 01:36:16 am
content: Well at least I know that its not my incompetence trying to find one.I wonder how you would make a full bridge power suppply Tim. The TL494 is one working but sure not the best way to do it. Any ideas for drive/controll chips for a full bridge power supply?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 01:48:29 am
content: No I mean that's the point, I didn't find any so I made my own.Which if anyone is interested, I have a few dozen of these boards around, would make a neat kit. Need to write up a datasheet or something... has a few errata (only rev 1) but is usable. Implements phase shift PWM, with gate driver outputs (intended for a pair of GDTs, hah, but add bootstrap drivers as preferred). So, add aux supply, and wire it up, not very complicated.I did add some extra logic or control circuitry, to the main board that I made to go with it; need to review what that was all for, I don't remember offhand. This was some years ago.Tim

author: SK_Caterpilar_SK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 11:56:14 pm
content: wow that looks real complex. I wonder how does the schematic of that thing look like

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2021, 12:06:46 am
content: Never seen a complete full bridge driver.What's wrong with two classic half-bridge drivers like the IR2114?https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/power/gate-driver-ics/ir2114ss/

author: SK_Caterpilar_SK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2021, 12:23:44 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on February 09, 2021, 01:44:27 amHaha youre thinking about much cooler stuff than what I am trying to build here

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2021, 12:27:29 am
content: don't remember seeing many full bridge drivers, but there is quite few with three half bridge drivers for three-phase motors

author: KT88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2021, 12:31:42 am
content: Yes, half bridge drivers are more common. It just depends on the max. current (MOS devices have a virtual current gain) and the technology like MOS-FET, IGBT or more fancy SiC or GaN devices you could find some possible parts like from Infineon (IR) or Analog Devices:https://www.analog.com/en/parametricsearch/11102#/.CheersAndreas

author: SK_Caterpilar_SK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2021, 01:35:38 pm
content: I wish there was any part that could drive a full bridge SMPS and have it simple. I guess I will either have to go with 4 individual drivers or 2 dual channel drivers or a GDT. At this point GDT seems to be the considerable. Sadly I dont really know how to go about GDTs at all.