STMicroelectronics EVALSTDRV600HB8

Overview

EVALSTDRV600HB8 from STMicroelectronics is a demonstration board kit designed to evaluate L638xE and L639x high-voltage half-bridge gate drivers in SO8 package, supporting up to 600 V rail voltage, ±50 V/ns dV/dt immunity, and compatible with DPAK/D2PAK/TO-220 MOSFETs and IGBTs for motor control and power conversion applications.

For engineers reviewing the EVALSTDRV600HB8 datasheet, EVALSTDRV600HB8 pinout, EVALSTDRV600HB8 application, or EVALSTDRV600HB8 equivalent, this board enables rapid functional validation of multiple gate driver variants-including UVLO thresholds, internal deadtime (320 ns / 470 ns), interlocking, and LIN-compatible single-input driving-under real half-bridge switching conditions.

Technical Context

The EVALSTDRV600HB8 implements a fixed half-bridge topology with dedicated high-side and low-side driving inputs, integrated bootstrap diode, and pre-mounted filtering/boost capacitors (C2, C8, C9). It supports both SMT and through-hole passive footprints for flexible gate network configuration.

Each supported driver (e.g., L6388ED, L6398D) exhibits distinct functional sets: UVLO on VCC and VBO, active-high or active-low LIN input, interlocking logic to prevent cross-conduction, and selectable deadtime-enabling evaluation across asymmetrical half-bridges and switched reluctance motor drives.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVALSTDRV600HB8 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, high-voltage power supply design, and switched reluctance drive development requiring stable component supply and rapid prototyping capability.

Supply support for EVALSTDRV600HB8 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in automotive, industrial, power, and microcontroller solutions with vertical manufacturing and broad analog/mixed-signal IP.

EVALSTDRV600HB8 belongs to ST's high-voltage gate driver evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate adoption of BCD™-based half-bridge drivers in energy-efficient motor control and offline power conversion systems.

FAQ

What gate driver ICs are included on the EVALSTDRV600HB8 board?

The board includes two samples each of seven SO8-packaged gate drivers: L6385E, L6387E, L6388E, L6389E, L6395, L6398, and L6399. These are pre-mounted and socketed for easy swapping, enabling side-by-side comparison of UVLO thresholds, deadtime, interlocking behavior, and LIN input polarity without board rework.

Can EVALSTDRV600HB8 drive IGBTs rated above 600 V?

No. The board's layout, component ratings (e.g., C9 = 10 µF/50 V, D1/D2 = 40 V Schottky), and gate driver SO8 footprint are optimized for 600 V-class devices. Driving >600 V IGBTs would exceed the board's high-side floating section rating and risk breakdown; it is validated only for ≤600 V rail operation per ST's documentation.

Does the board support both high-side and low-side independent PWM control?

Yes. EVALSTDRV600HB8 provides separate INH and INL inputs for high-side and low-side drivers, allowing fully independent PWM control. This enables custom deadtime insertion, phase-shifted modulation, and asymmetric drive schemes-critical for evaluating advanced motor control algorithms and resonant topologies.

Are external gate resistors required when using the board?

Yes. The board provides footprints (R1–R6, R13–R14) but no populated gate resistors; users must select and solder appropriate values based on the chosen MOSFET/IGBT (e.g., turn-on/off speed, ringing suppression, peak current limits). SMT 0603/0805 and through-hole P10 footprints offer flexibility for prototyping and production tuning.