VLA503-01

Powerex, Inc., 173 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272

Hybrid IC
IGBT Gate Driver

K
J

14

LATCH

DETECT
CIRCUIT

VCC

2
1

CONTROL PIN
FOR ttrip
DETECT PIN

VO

FAULT OUTPUT

VEE

TIMER AND
RESET
CIRCUIT

14

INTERFACE

OPTO COUPLER

GATE
SHUTDOWN
CIRCUIT

180

13

3 , 7 , 9 , 10 PIN : NC

Outline Drawing and Circuit Diagram

Dimensions
Inches
Millimeters

A
2.0
51.0

B
1.02
26.0

C
0.4
10.0

D
0.45
11.5

E
0.12
3.0

F
0.3
7.5

G
0.25
6.5

H
0.10
2.54

J 0.02+0.006/-0.004 0.5+0.15/-0.1

K
0.180.06
4.51.5

L 0.01+0.01/-0.004 0.25+0.2/-0.1

Description:
The VLA503-01 is a hybrid
integrated circuit designed to
provide optimum gate drive
for IGBT modules. This device
provides high current optically
isolated gate drive with a large
output voltage swing. The driver
also provides short circuit
protection based on desaturation
detection.
Features:
Electrical Isolation Voltage
Between Input and Output
with Opto-coupler
(2500 Vrms for 1 Minute)
Two Supply Driver Topology
Built-in Short-Circuit Protection
(With a Pin for Fault Output)
TTL Compatible Input Interface
Application:
To drive IGBT modules for inverter
or AC servo systems applications
Recommended IGBT Modules:
600V module up to 600A
1200V module up to 400A

Note: All dimensions listed are maximums except H, J,

K, and L.

Rev. 04/07

Powerex, Inc., 173 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
VLA503-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver

Absolute Maximum Ratings, Ta = 25C unless otherwise specified

Characteristics

Symbol

VLA503-01

Units

Supply Voltage, DC

VCC

18

Volts

VEE

-15

Volts

Vi

-1 ~ +7

Volts

VO

VCC

Volts

IOHP

-5

Amperes

Input Signal Voltage (Applied between Pin 13 - 14, 50% Duty Cycle, Pulse Width 1ms)
Output Voltage (When the Output Voltage is "H")
Output Current
(Pulse Width 2s, f 20kHz)

IOLP

Amperes

Isolation Voltage (Sine Wave Voltage 60Hz, for 1 Minute)

VISO

2500

Vrms

Case Temperature

TC

85

Operating Temperature (No Condensation Allowable)

Topr

-20 ~ +60

Storage Temperature (No Condensation Allowable)

Tstg

-25 ~ +100*

Fault Output Current (Applied Pin 8)

IFO

20

mA

Input Voltage at Pin 1 (Applied Pin 1)

VR1

50

Volts

*Differs from H/C condition.

Electrical and Mechanical Characteristics, Ta = 25C unless otherwise specified, VCC = 15V, VEE = -10V)
Characteristics

Symbol

Supply Voltage

VCC

Recommended Range

Min.

Typ.

Max.

Units

14

15

Volts

VEE

Pull-up Voltage on Primary Side

VIN

Recommended Range

-7

-10

Volts

Recommended Range

4.75

5.25

Volts

"H" Input Current

IIH

Recommended Range

15.2

16

19

mA

Recommended Range

20

kHz

Gate Resistance

RG

Recommended Range

"H" Input Current

IIH

Switching Frequency

Test Conditions

VIN = 5V

16

mA

"H" Output Voltage

VOH

13

14

Volts

"L" Output Voltage

VOL

-8

-9

Volts

"L-H" Propagation Time

tPLH

IIH = 16mA

0.5

tr

IIH = 16mA

0.3

tPHL

IIH = 16mA

1.3

tf

IIH = 16mA

0.3

ms

"L-H" Rise Time

"H-L" Propagation Time
"H-L" Fall Time
Timer

ttimer

Between Start and Cancel

(Under Input Sign "L")

Fault Output Current

IFO

Applied 8 Pin, R = 4.7k

mA

Controlled Time Detect Short-Circuit 1

ttrip1

Pin 1: 15V and More, Pin 2: Open

2.6

Controlled Time Detect Short-Circuit 2**

ttrip2

Pin 1: 15V and More, Pins 2-4: 10pF

15

Volts

SC Detect Voltage

VSC

(Connective Capacitance)
Collector Voltage of Module

**Length of wiring capacitor controlled time detect short-circuit is within 5cm from Pin 2 and Pin 4 coming and going.

Rev. 04/07

Powerex, Inc., 173 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
VLA503-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver

Application Circuit

VLA503-01
+5V

CONTROL

14

13

10

1
D1

+
Ctrip

PS2501

B1

+
+ C1

FAULT

30V
C2

4.7k

RG

IGBT
MODULE

18V
18V

VCC

G
+

E
E

VEE

Component Selection:
Design
VCC, V EE
RG
C1, C2
D1
Ctrip
B1

Description
+15V/-10V Typical, See data sheet for usable limits
Adjust for application requirements. See IGBT module application notes
for recommendations and power rating
10F-100F 25V low impedance electrolytic
Ultra fast recovery trr<100ns, High voltage V rrm>Vces(IGBT)
0-200pF adjusts desaturation trip time (ttrip)
CMOS Buffer 74HC04 or similar Must actively pull high to maintain noise immunity

Notes:
(1) Power supply decoupling capacitors C1 and C2 should be connected as close as possible to the pins of the
gate driver and must be sized to have appropriate ESR and ripple current capability for the IGBT being driven.
(2) Ctrip should be connected as close as possible to the pins of the gate driver to avoid noise pick-up.
(3) All zener diodes 1W, all resistors 0.25W unless otherwise noted.

Single Supply Operation

VLA503-01
+5V

CONTROL

14

13

10

1
D1

+
Ctrip

PS2501

B1

+
+ C1

FAULT
4.7k

30V
C2
C

RG

IGBT
MODULE

18V
18V

+
2.7k
VCC

G
E

8.2V

Rev. 04/07

Powerex, Inc., 173 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
VLA503-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME VS.

AMBIENT CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME VS.

INPUT VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)

1.4
1.2
1.0

tPHL

0.8
0.6

tPLH

0.4
0.2
0

20

40

60

6
VCC = 15V
VEE = 10V
RG= 3.1W
Ta = 25C
LOAD: CM400DY-24NF

1.4
1.2
1.0

0.6

tPLH

0.4
0.2

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, Ta, (C)

CONTROLLED TIME SHORT-CIRCUIT DETECT VS.

CONNECTIVE CAPACITANCE CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)

4.5

5.0

5.5

POWER DISSIPATION, PD, (WATTS)

7
6
5
4
3
2

25

50

75

100

125

150

ttrip2 : Ctrip = 10pF

3
ttrip1 : Ctrip = 0pF

2
1

20

40

60

80

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, Ta, (C)

POWER DISSIPATION VS. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

CHARACTERISTICS (MAXIMUM RATING)
(TYPICAL)

QUIESCENT CURRENT VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE

CHARACTERISTICS (PIN: 4 6)
INPUT SIGNAL L (TYPICAL)

25

4
3
2
1

1
0

6.0

5
VCC = 15V
VEE = -10V
Ta = 25C

8
CONTROLLED TIME SHORT-CIRCUIT
DETECT, ttrip, (s)

4.0

VCC = 15V
VEE = -10V

INPUT SIGNAL VOLTAGE, Vi, (VOLTS)

QUIESCENT CURRENT, ID, (mAMPERES)

tPHL

0.8

0
3.5

80

CONTROLLED TIME SHORT-CIRCUIT

DETECT, ttrip1, ttrip2, (s)

1.6
VCC = 15V
VEE = 10V
RG= 3.1W
VIN = 5.0V
LOAD: CM400DY-24NF

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME L-H, tPLH, (s)

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME H-L, tPHL, (s)

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME L-H, tPLH, (s)

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME H-L, tPHL, (s)

1.6

PROPAGATION DELAY TIME VS.

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS
(TYPICAL)

CONNECTIVE CAPACITANCE, Ctrip, (pF)

(PIN: 2 4)

20

40

60

Ta = 25C

20
15
10
5
0

80

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, Ta, (C)

10

20

30

40

SUPPLY VOLTAGE, VCC, (VOLTS)

(PIN: 4 6)

SWITCHING TIME DEFINITIONS

VIN
(PIN 14 TO 13)

tr

tf
90%

50%

VO
(PIN 5 TO 6)

10%
tPLH

tPHL

Rev. 04/07

Powerex, Inc., 173 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
VLA503-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver

General Description
The VLA503-01 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 VLA503-01 features a
compact single-in-line package design. The upright
mounting minimizes required printed circuit board space
to allow efficient and flexible layout. The VLA503-01
converts logic level control signals into fully isolated
+15V/-8V gate drive with up to 5A of peak drive current.
Control signal isolation is provided by an integrated high
speed opto-coupler. Short circuit protection is provided
by means of destauration detection.
Short Circuit Protection
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a typical desaturation detector. In this circuit, a high voltage fast recovery
diode (D1) is connected to the IGBTs collector to monitor 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
normally +15V. When the IGBT turns on, the comparators (+) input is pulled down by D1 to the IGBTs VCE(sat).
The (-) input of the comparator is supplied with a fixed
voltage (VTRIP). During a normal on-state condition
the comparators (+) input will be less than VTRIP and
its output will be low. During a normal off-state condition the comparators (+) input will be larger than VTRIP
V+
D1

COMPARE
Vtrip
C

AND

IGBT
MODULE

SHUTDOWN
INPUT

GATE
DRIVE

RG
G
E
E

Figure 1. Desaturation Detector

Rev. 04/07

Operation of the VLA503-01 Desaturation Detector

The Powerex VLA503-01 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
desaturation is detected the hybrid gate driver performs
a soft shut down 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 8 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

+
DELAY
ttrip

and its output will be high. If the IGBT turns on into a

short circuit, the high current will cause the IGBTs 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 drivers input signal
and the comparator 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 normal turn on time of the IGBT. The tTRIP delay
is set so that the IGBTs 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 maximum allowable tTRIP delay is limited by
the IGBTs short circuit withstanding capability. In typical
applications using Powerex IGBT modules the recommended limit is 10s.

The VLA503-01 has a default short-circuit detection

time delay (tTRIP) of approximately 2.5s. This will
prevent erroneous detection of short-circuit conditions
as long as the series gate resistance (RG) is near the
minimum recommended value for the module being
used. The 2.5s 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 voltages. When RG is increased, the switching delay time
of the IGBT will also increase. If the delay becomes

Powerex, Inc., 173 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1800 (724) 925-7272
VLA503-01
Hybrid IC IGBT Gate Driver

START

IS
VCE > VSC
NO

YES
IS
INPUT
SIGNAL
ON

NO

long enough so that the voltage on the detect Pin 1 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 VLA503-01 has provisions for
extending the tTRIP delay by connecting a capacitor
(CTRIP) between Pin 2 and VCC (Pins 4). The effect of
adding CTRIP on trip time 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 10s.

YES
DELAY
ttrip

ttimer

FAULT SIGNAL
(PIN 8)

10V

ttrip

YES
IS
VCE > VSC

10V

NO

YES

-5V
VO
(PIN 5)

SLOW SHUTDOWN
DISABLE OUTPUT
SET FAULT SIGNAL
WAIT ttimer

Figure 3. Adjustment of ttrip

YES
IS
INPUT
SIGNAL
OFF

NO

YES
CLEAR FAULT
SIGNAL
ENABLE OUTPUT

Figure 2. VLA503-01 Desaturation Detector

Rev. 04/07