Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced a new line of solid-state relays, including automotive standard isolated drives and switches, that provide industry-leading reliability and help improve electric vehicle (EV) safety. These new isolated solid-state relays also support ultra-small size solutions while reducing bill of Materials (BOM) costs for powertrain and 800V battery management systems.

The TPSI3050-Q1 isolated switch driver with an integrated 10V grid power supply and the TPSI2140-Q1 1400V and 50mA isolated switch use a unique approach that integrates power and signal isolation through a single isolated grid, thus improving reliability. At the same time, the solution is significantly reduced in size and cost (compared to existing electromechanical and solid-state optical relays).

The new solid-state relays can disconnect and connect loads via a single isolation grid in microseconds (as opposed to milliseconds for electromechanical relays), enabling safer operation of high-voltage automotive systems. The TPSI3050-Q1 provides enhanced isolation of up to 5kVRMS and its operating life is also 10 times better than that of electromechanical relays, whose perance also degrades over time. In addition, the TPSI2140-Q1 provides base-type isolation up to 3.75kVRMS, enabling it to achieve time-dependent dielectric breakdown reliability more than four times higher than solid-state optical relays.

Solid state relays integrate power and signal transmission in a single chip while also eliminating at least three components from their design, significantly reducing solution size while reducing BOM costs by up to 50%. Compared to mechanical relay solutions, the TPSI3050-Q1 reduces solution size by up to 90% by integrating the capabilities of an isolated power supply, digital isolator and gate driver. By integrating signal FETs and resistors and eliminating the need for tongue spring relays, TPSI2140-Q1 reduces solution size by up to 50% compared to traditional solid-state optical relay solutions.

Designed for high voltage measurement and insulation monitoring, TPSI2140-Q1 can be used in conjunction with battery pack monitors such as BQ79631-Q1 to detect insulation failures in 800V battery management systems faster and more accurately than solid-state optical relays. TPSI2140-Q1 supports the use of resistors smaller than 1M Ω and can withstand 300% more avalanche current than traditional optical relays, helping to achieve safer human-computer interaction.