ALPHA Semiconductor, Inc. introduced a family of monolithic high speed, high current, power MOSFET drivers that can withstand current peaking of 6 A with a switch speed of 25 ns and propagational delay time of only 55 ns. The AS4420 and AS4429 utilize Alpha Semiconductorýs CMOS process for lower power consumption and with protection for latch-up and 4 KV ESD.

The ALPHA Semiconductor AS4420/4429 have TTL compatible inputs that can be driven as high as VDD + 0.3 V or as low as -5 V. This eliminates the need for external level shifting, thus, minimizing cost and circuit size. During power up/down sequencing the output swing is rail-to-rail ensuring a better drive voltage margin. The product is available in inverting and noninverting configurations. These MOSFET drivers may also be used as level shifters, comparators, waveshapers and pulse transformer drivers. E-mail: alphasem@best.com, Website: http://www.alpha-semi.com

Sometimes not being a big 'name' can be better when you are in the business of targeting products to a market; you have to be able to focus and you have to get it right first time. I think Alpha have done that here. Inverting and non-inverting drivers that have a good switching speed and an excellent propagation delay they offer excellent current peaking and address the TTL input-controlling applications extremely well; focusing on that application produces really well-tuned products that will capture a good market share if Alpha can get the message out to the designers.

The AS4420/4429 are available in TO-220, 8 pin SOIC and 8 pin DIP packages and are priced at $0.62 for 100-k piece lots.