ON Semi Intros MC33157 Half-Bridge Driver for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
On Semiconductor LLC (Phoenix, AZ), formerly the Motorola Semiconductor Components Group, introduced a new half-bridge driver for fluorescent lamp ballasts which includes an ICO pin to allow the use of sophisticated frequency control techniques. The MC33157 is designed primarily for fluorescent lamp ballasts and is considered ideal by ON Semi for specific switching power supply topologies where switching frequency stability or control is critical. The high-voltage, high-side/low-side driver is designed specifically for European style electronic ballasts and includes all the functions necessary to control fluorescent lamps powered by either ac or dc mains in industrial applications. Housed in a wide-body SOIC 16-pin package, the MC33157 contains an application specific frequency control circuitry for fluorescent lamp ballasts and a high-side driver compatible with any high-voltage MOSFET or IGBT half bridge. The MC33157 is capable of sustaining 600V and includes a built-in voltage bandgap reference which, when combined with the onboard current controlled oscillator (ICO), is claimed to provide outstanding frequency stability across temperature and external component variation. The device's large sink and source output current capability allow it to drive any high voltage MOSFET used in the power system. Adjustable dead time makes the IC suitable for any snub capacitor and size of MOSFET used as power switches. The MC33157 is available in a SOIC 16-pin wide body package and is priced at $0.80 in quantities of 10,000.
