The HITFET+ family will comprise at least 16 members varying in R DS(on) (10 to 800mOhm), feature set (i.e. with and without status feedback), and package size (D-PAK with 5 or 3 pins, DSO with 8 pins). HITFET+ products of one package size are completely scalable: There is no need for system designers to change either software or PCB layout to drive various loads. The first family member, the BTF3050TE, is already available in high-volume.

In automotive applications, the HITFET+ products can drive solenoids for valve control with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) up to 20kHz. Moreover, they suit automotive light dimming applications where they prevent flickering and support the current intensities of 10W to 60W which are typical here.

In addition, the HITFET+ family is suitable for a vast range of other automotive applications such as mid-size and small-size electric motor drives for door lock or parking brake; for injection valves for alternative fuel (LPG, CNG); flaps driving in HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning); rear wheel steering applications as well as safety relay replacement in active suspension systems.

Also, HITFET+ products are suitable as protected drivers in a wide area of industrial applications such as printers; vacuum cleaners; solar power modules; and vending machines.

“Infineon invented the HITFET protected low-side switches more than two decades ago and established an industry standard. Our most recent HITFET+ family will provide the right low-side switch wherever over-temperature or over-current protection are needed in automotive and industrial applications,” says Andreas Doll, Vice President and General Manager, Body Power, Automotive division at Infineon Technologies AG.

“Depending on vehicle class, every car produced today has about 7 to 11 protected low-side power switches. With HITFET+ protection features and Infineon’s renowned quality and reliability, automotive system suppliers can be confident to meet even the most challenging application requirements.”

The BTF3050TE is able to switch all kind of resistive, inductive and capacitive loads. Designed to replace electromechanical relays and discrete circuits, the BTF3050TE is suitable for industrial applications and is optimized for 12V automotive applications. With its R DS(on) of 40mOhm (typical 25°C) it can drive loads up to 3A in typical automotive body environments. The BTF3050TE is automotive qualified.

The BTF3050TE offers a latching digital status feedback and easy slew rate control in addition to over-temperature shutdown and thermal auto-restart. Further protection and diagnostic features include active clamp over-voltage protection; ESD; current limitation; and overload protection.