The IR21844 driver IC is a high-performance gate driver designed to operate with high power MOSFETs or IGBTs in half-bridge configurations. The IC operates on a voltage supply range of 10V to 20V and its non-inverting input type ensures it can drive both N-channel MOSFETs and IGBTs simultaneously.
One of the significant advantages of IR21844 is its ability to provide a fast rise and fall time (typical rise and fall times of 40ns and 20ns, respectively), making it suitable for switching high-frequency AC power supplies, motor controls, and other power electronics applications.
The IR21844 driver IC is equipped with two independent channels that can drive both high and low-side switches with peak output current ratings of 1.9A and 2.3A respectively. This feature enables the IC to drive high voltage loads up to 600V using a bootstrap power supply to drive the high-side switch. The driver IC operates on a logic voltage of 0.8V for VIH and 2.7V for VIL, which allows interfacing with various microcontrollers and digital signal processors.
Furthermore, it provides thermal protection features that prevent it from overheating and ensuring safe operation under high-temperature environments. The IR21844 is commonly used in various electronic devices such as air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and other home appliances that require high power control. It is also widely used in industrial power supplies, inverters, solar inverters, and motor drives.
The IR21844 driver IC can be mounted on a printed circuit board through its 14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) package. Its through-hole mounting design ensures it can be easily integrated into electronic devices and power electronics applications.
In conclusion, the IR21844 half-bridge driver IC is a proven, high-performance driver for various high-voltage switch applications. It provides fast switching, high voltage capability, and excellent thermal protection. Though it is an obsolete part, it is still widely used in various electronic devices, appliances, and industrial applications. Its legacy continues in various power electronics applications, even with the advent of newer driver ICs.
