June 8, 2009 - Designed to drive high-voltage, high-power devices, such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) power transistors, PROMETHEUS operates from -55 to +225°C and implements 2 A power driver on basis of high-temperature active components. It can be supplied from 11-30 V and will switch up to 500 KHz on 30 nF load. Non-overlap circuitry avoids short-circuit currents through push-pull power output stage, and driver can be adapted to other devices: MOSFET, IGBT, JFET, BJT, and GaN.

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Cissoid
Rue Emile Francqui, 3
Mont Saint Guibert, , 1435, Belgium

The High Temperature driver for Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power Transistors Selected by Hispano-Suiza (Safran Group)

Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium - May 2009. CISSOID, a leader in high temperature semiconductor solutions, unveiled PROMETHEUS, the industry's first driver for power transistors suitable for operation from -55°C up to +225°C. The reference design drives Silicon Carbide transistors and can be adapted to other devices such as MOSFET, IGBT, JFET, BJT and GaN. PROMETHEUS, Cissoid's next product within its TITAN family of high temperature drivers, was selected by HISPANO-SUIZA for the development of a multi-KW power inverter demonstrator, representative of Aerospace applications, including electric actuators, brakes, pumps and VSV (Variable Stator Valve) motors.

"CISSOID's track record in providing best-in-class high temperature integrated circuit solutions made them our natural partner for the development of our high performance power inverters" said Regis Meuret, Safran Power research manager at HISPANO-SUIZA (Safran Group).

PROMETHEUS implements a 2A power driver on the basis of proven high temperature CISSOID active components. The driver can be supplied from 11V to 30V and will switch up to 500KHz on a 30nF load. Non-overlap circuitry avoids short-circuit currents through the push-pull power output stage. PROMETHEUS drives high voltage high power devices (e.g. SiC transistors) and targets both electric motors and switched mode power supplies (SMPS). Automotive, Aerospace, Oil&Gas and Industrial applications will get the savings in weight and energy coming from this driver operating reliably at temperatures higher than any other. PROMETHEUS is the first of a line of products. The next generations will further increase performance, volume reduction, add new functions and extend the range of applications.

Jean-Christophe Doucet, VP of Business Development at CISSOID, said: "PROMETHEUS is a cornerstone of CISSOID' product strategy, as the same technology is going to be used in key markets, such as automotive applications where hybrid and full electric vehicles require similar power inverters. Car makers today must add cooling systems so that standard semiconductors can be used. This is clear limitation, as cooling systems have a dramatic impact on cost, weight and energy consumption. Upcoming SiC and GaN power devices combined with CISSOID Prometheus will uniquely support reliable operation at 225°C and above, decreasing significantly cooling requirements."

Depending on specific customer needs, PROMETHEUS can be implemented with packaged components on a high-temperature Printed Circuit Board, or as a Multi-Chip-Module on the basis of bare dies. The reference design and the active components of the bill-of-material are now available from CISSOID. For more information, visit www.cissoid.com or contact the company's representatives.

About Cissoid - www.cissoid.com

Cissoid is a leader in high temperature electronics providing monolithic semiconductor solutions, and the pioneer in Silicon-on-Isolator (SOI) products with over 20 years of background and R&D in SOI. As a leading fabless semiconductor company, Cissoid delivers standard products and custom solutions meeting high temperature requirements, primarily to the Oil & Gas, Aerospace and Automotive markets.

About HISPANO-SUIZA - http://www.hispano-suiza-sa.com/index...

Hispano-Suiza, SAFRAN Group, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and support of commercial and military engine, power transmissions, power electronics. The company is also actively involved in R&D for advanced systems and equipment on tomorrow's "more electric" aircraft. Hispano-Suiza has two main facilities in the greater Paris area, at Colombes and Réau, and manages an operating unit in Sedziszow, Poland.

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