Infineon Technologies IR2238Q

Overview

IR2238Q from Infineon Technologies is a high-voltage, 3-phase IGBT gate driver IC designed for AC motor control systems. It supports up to +1200 V floating channel operation, delivers ±220 mA/±460 mA peak output drive current, features programmable deadtime (1 µs typical with 39 kΩ resistor), integrated desaturation detection with 3.0 µs blanking time, and two-stage turn-on for di/dt control in industrial variable-frequency drives.

For engineers reviewing the IR2238Q datasheet, IR2238Q pinout, IR2238Q application, or IR2238Q equivalent, key selection considerations include its 1200 V offset capability, matched propagation delays (<125 ns), soft shutdown duration (6.0 µs), voltage feedback delay matching (<125 ns), and brake IGBT driver integration with independent protection logic.

Technical Context

The IR2238Q implements six independent high- and low-side gate drivers with level-shifted floating channels, each incorporating Schmitt-trigger inputs, shoot-through prevention logic, and UVLO with hysteresis on both VCC (10.2–11.3 V) and VB supplies. Its desaturation detection circuitry uses dual threshold inputs (DSH/DSL) referenced to VS and COM, enabling ground-fault-aware overcurrent protection across all three phases.

Soft shutdown is triggered via DSH/DSL inputs and executes a controlled two-stage turn-off with 500 Ω on-resistance and 6.0 µs duration; hard shutdown via DSB bypasses soft logic for immediate output disable. Voltage feedback (VFH/VFL) provides volts-seconds measurement with <125 ns matching delay, supporting precise energy monitoring in IGBT-based inverters.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

IR2238Q is housed in a 64-lead MQFP (Metric Quad Flat Package) with exposed thermal pad (HOP1,2,3, HON1,2,3, LOP1,2,3, LON1,2,3, BR, VS1,2,3, VB1,2,3, COM, LIN1,2,3, HIN1,2,3, FAULT, VFH1,2,3, VCC, VSS, BRIN, DSH1,2,3, DSL1,2,3, VFL1,2,3, DSB, LOQ1,2,3, HOQ1,2,3, DT).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 3-phase IGBT gate driver applications.

Compared with IRS2238SPBF and IR2233JD, IR2238Q uniquely combines 1200 V floating capability, integrated brake driver, and voltage feedback outputs-making it the only option among the three qualified for high-voltage regenerative braking and energy-monitoring motor control.

Availability

IR2238Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial AC motor drives, pump & compressor inverters, elevator traction systems, and electric forklift drives requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for IR2238Q 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

Infineon Technologies is a German semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power electronics, automotive microcontrollers, and industrial gate drivers.

The IR2238Q belongs to Infineon's high-voltage IGBT driver product line, engineered specifically for ruggedized 3-phase motor inverter applications demanding integrated protection, precise timing, and high-voltage isolation.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable dV/dt on the VS pins?

The IR2238Q specifies a maximum allowable offset voltage slew rate of 50 V/ns on the VS pins. This limit ensures reliable level-shifting operation under fast-switching conditions and prevents false triggering of internal logic. Exceeding this rate may cause erratic behavior or latch-up, especially during IGBT turn-off transients in high-di/dt motor drive circuits.

How does the two-stage turn-on function reduce EMI?

The two-stage turn-on applies an initial high-current pulse (220 mA) followed by a lower-current sustain stage (120 mA), slowing the effective di/dt during the Miller plateau region. This controlled gate charging reduces high-frequency spectral content in switching waveforms, lowering conducted and radiated EMI without compromising efficiency-critical for meeting CISPR 11 Class A emissions limits in industrial drives.

Can the DT pin be left unconnected for minimum deadtime?

No. Leaving the DT pin unconnected results in undefined deadtime behavior due to floating bias. The datasheet specifies deadtime only for defined resistor values (0 kΩ, 39 kΩ, 220 kΩ). For minimum deadtime (76 ns), a 0 Ω resistor must be soldered between DT and VSS; open-circuit operation is not characterized or guaranteed.

What is the purpose of the VFB (VFH/VFL) outputs?

The VFH and VFL outputs deliver a time-integrated voltage signal proportional to ∫V·dt across the motor winding, used for volts-seconds limiting to prevent magnetic saturation and insulation stress. With ≤125 ns inter-channel delay and 400 ns minimum pulse width, they enable real-time energy monitoring and coordinated overvoltage protection across all three phases in safety-critical drives.