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driver and transistor recommendation

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: THS3091, THS4631, THS3095, OPA656

I need to find the appropriate analog RF power transistor driver and power transistor for an unusual application and format.  

The driver and transistor need to operate variably through the 3 MHz - 4 MHz range with a line-level sine wave input. 

The inductive load (an air core primary winding) is in series between a DC power supply (~ +20 – +30 VDC, 1.5 A maximum) and the transistor drain.  The line-level sine wave input signal feeds the driver input.  The frequency is variable through the 3 MHz – 4 MHz range from a signal function generator.  The output of the driver is connected to the transistor gate, and the transistor source is grounded.  The transistor acts as a variable ground that pulls power from the supply through the inductive load.  This arrangement is used such that there is no negative feedback acting on the inductive load:   

power supply > inductor > power transistor > ground

                                                      ^   

                                                  driver  

                                                      ^  

                                           signal generator  

 

I need recommendations for both the driver and the transistor itself.

Thanks,

paul

  • Hi Paul,

    There are several options available for the driver like THS3091, THS3095, THS4631 which operate from 10V to 30V (absolute maximum) and should easily meet the 3MHz - 4MHz requirement. For the Power MOSFET, you could use MCH3468 from On-semi power MOSFET which is rated for 60V at 2A; so should be close to an ampere for 30V and should meet your input signal requirement.

    Also, if too much swing is not needed in the driver and you need to bias up the power MOSFET close to Vgs(th), then it might be good to look at lower supply voltage driver options such as OPA656. Is the power MOSFET simply being used only as a switch? It might also be helpful to understand the end application so that we could recommend the right parts.

    Best Regards,

    Rohit

  • Thanks so much! The transistor will be functioning as a variable path to ground…it'll vary with the sine wave input.

    The inductor is the input of an air-core resonant system under study in a lab environment. Since its reactive behavior is the point of interest, we need to avoid any negative feedback traits that would tend to damp its behavior.

    Am very happy you responded, and quickly too!