Extending its commitment to developing topology-specific solutions to customer power problems, International Rectifier (IR) now offers a family of HEXFET power MOSFETs rated from 500 to 650 Volts that delivers the highest efficiency available in mass production today for switch mode power supply applications.

These new devices feature on-resistance (RDS(on)) ratings as much as 50 percent lower than previous devices for optimum conduction efficiency in this voltage range in the same package outline, balanced with gate charge (Qg) characteristics that are reduced about one-third to achieve lower switching and drive losses. The new HEXFETs can reduce power losses within a power supply by as much as 30 percent, facilitating either a smaller heat sink and/or cooler operation within the existing thermal system. They are implemented using established IR process technology and manufactured in volume in IR's HEXFET America facility in Temecula, CA -- the world's largest power MOS production facility.

"In the power supply industry, obtaining MOSFETs with optimum efficiency, high reliability and low cost is the key to success," said Chris Ambarian, director of technical marketing for MOSFETs and IGBTs at IR. "Our new topology-specific high-voltage HEXFET devices extend our leadership position as the world's leading supplier of MOSFETs for switching power supplies, providing unrivaled efficiency and reliability at very attractive prices. They are companions to the recently announced low-voltage devices that shattered previous benchmarks for efficiency in power supplies for mobile Pentium II microprocessors and other DC/DC and synchronous rectifier applications."

Examples of the level of improvement are:
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Continuing the trend started earlier this year, the new devices feature topology-specific data sheets that provide more useful ratings to the SMPS designer. The devices are characterized for several parameters at conditions seen in actual SMPSs, providing a much better indication of how they will actually operate in-circuit. Part numbers for the new series have also become more engineer-friendly, providing actual current ratings at a glance.

The numbers on the specifications for these parts say it all. Up to 50% reduction in on-resistances, up to a third off gate charge. The overall results: higher efficiencies, lower losses, less heat. International Rectifier have certainly raised the wall to the competition quite dramatically with this new multi-family announcement. There is no doubt that these new parts will get instant attention from power supply manufacturers who, in my opinion, have one of the toughest design areas of all in analog with nobody giving anybody an inch.

All the new devices are in full production. Data sheets are available on International Rectifier's website www.irf.com