On Wed, Mar 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM, wrote: >> Unless I had a good reason to do so, I would use a gate drive chip >> like the FAN7390 instead of boosting the current with discrete parts. >> The required discrete transistors to handle the pulse currents are >> expensive. > > You may like to note that Microchip have announced some FET drive chips a= s 'future production'. There are 2A and 3A versions. > > See http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=3DSS_GET_PAGE&nod= eId=3D2140 and 'Analogue and Interface products' section. If Microchip is making them they will probably be reasonably priced. Only a few companies make the boot-strapping drivers that have level shifters to go up to 600+ volts though. Microchip's will be low-side only. They tend not to make anything that goes higher than 6 volts, however at Master's last year the fab tour guide was saying they are planning on some automotive voltage parts. Maybe the FET drivers are a step in that direction. --=20 Martin K. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .