New Photovoltaic Output Photocoupler Enhances High-Voltage Power MOSFET Gating

Toshiba has announced that it is now in volume production of a photovoltaic output photocoupler with an enhanced open-circuit voltage suitable for gating high-voltage power MOSFETs commonly used in solid-state relays (SSRs).

The TLX9910 photocoupler is primarily designed for use within SSR applications in the automotive industry. However, it can also be utilized in industrial applications, such as renewable energy.

This combination of the TLX9910 photocoupler and high-voltage power MOSFETs enables high-voltage, high-current switching, which is typically challenging to achieve with integrated photorelays.

The TLX9910 offers an open voltage (VOC) of 13.5V, nearly double that of existing devices. This significantly increases the choice of compatible MOSFETs without the need for a workaround. Additionally, using a single device reduces the component count, resulting in a smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective solution.

As the photovoltaic coupler is based on photodiode arrays (PDA), it generates electrical energy from the light emitted by the input side LED. This eliminates the need for an external power source as the coupler serves its own power supply.

The TLX9910 is housed in a surface-mount 4-pin SO6 package measuring just 3.7mm × 7.0mm x 2.1mm. It is capable of operating at temperatures ranging from -40°C to +125°C and offers 3750Vrms of isolation from input to output.

For more information about the new photovoltaic output photocoupler, please visit Toshiba's website.