High-voltage power ICs for motor drives and power supplies

Using new high-voltage integrated circuit (HVIC) technology, a number of integrated circuits have been developed for use in switched-mode power conversion and motor control. These devices have a voltage rating adequate for operation from rectified mains supply. The HVIC technology allows the monolithic integration of power devices, logic circuits and small-signal analog circuits. The analog and digital signal processing is achieved with accuracy and reliability despite the high values of dv/dt and di/dt associated with power switching. Another important feature of these devices is level shifting, whereby signals are conveyed reliably to and from sections of the circuit which are at a high voltage with respect to ground, and which may experience very high values of dv/dt. Furthermore, since the device is required to block high voltage, the field termination and package isolation must meet the necessary standards of integrity and reliability