High-speed MOSFET Drivers Target Ultrasound Applications

Supertex recently introduced the MD1812 and the MD1813, two high-speed quad MOSFET driver ICs. These ICs are designed to drive N- and P-channel MOSFETs in applications that require high output current for capacitive loads, such as in medical ultrasound imaging.

Both ICs feature an auxiliary output driver with a level translator that uses a proprietary circuit to provide user-defined damping control for return-to-zero applications. The user is able to determine the length of time the ICs stay at zero. The MD1812 and MD1813 provide six nanosecond rise and fall times when used with a 1000-pF load. The input stages of both ICs accept logic input signals of 1.2 V to 5 V, allowing for low power consumption and fast response time. Their output stages are capable of producing peak currents of up to ±2 A. In addition, the MD1813 is configured to accept differential input signals.

The MD1812 and the MD1813 are available in 16-lead 4-mm × 4-mm x 0.9-mm QFN packages (MD1812K6-G and MD1813K6-G, respectively). All parts are Green and RoHS compliant. Samples are available from stock. Pricing is $3.28 each for the MD1812K6-G and $3.31 each for the MD1813K6-G, both in 1000-unit quantities.