PS21767 Intelligent Power Module: Core Features & Application Guide

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, small motor control systems face unprecedented challenges. Whether in smart home appliances, industrial automation, or power tools, engineers are striving for key components that meet demanding requirements for high efficiency, high integration, and high reliability. Traditional discrete solutions often entail complex wiring, larger PCB footprints, and increased fault risks—significant hurdles for modern products aiming for peak performance and compact design.

However, the emergence of Mitsubishi's PS21767 Intelligent Power Module (IPM) offers a robust solution to these challenges. As an integrated solution, the PS21767's rise is ushering small motor control into a smarter, more efficient new era.

In the following article, we'll delve into the core advantages of the PS21767, examining how its innovative design and powerful features bring unparalleled value to your motor control applications.

PS21767 Key Parameter Information Table

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II. Deep Dive into PS21767's Core Features

The PS21767 stands out in small motor control applications thanks to its exceptional core features. These capabilities extend beyond robust power conversion, encompassing highly intelligent drive and protection mechanisms, along with a user-friendly system interface.

A. Highly Integrated Power Conversion Capability

One of the PS21767's primary strengths lies in its extensive integration of complex power conversion functions within a compact module.

• 600V/30A Low-Loss CSTBT? Inverter Bridge: Efficient DC-to-AC Conversion: This module incorporates an advanced 600V/30A low-loss CSTBT? (Carrier Stored Trench Gate Bipolar Transistor) inverter bridge. CSTBT? technology, a proprietary Mitsubishi Electric IGBT innovation, optimizes carrier storage effects to significantly reduce conduction and switching losses, leading to higher power conversion efficiency. For DC-to-AC conversion, this means the PS21767 minimizes energy loss, reduces system heat generation, and boosts overall energy performance. In small motor control applications, high efficiency not only saves energy but also diminishes cooling requirements, enabling more compact and reliable designs.

• N-Side Three-Phase Output: Simplified Wiring and Design: The PS21767 provides N-side three-phase output functionality, critical for three-phase motor drive applications. Integrating the inverter bridge output within the module greatly simplifies external wiring and reduces PCB board space. Designers are freed from complex power routing concerns, allowing them to focus more on overall system optimization, thereby shortening development cycles and reducing manufacturing costs.

B. Intelligent Drive and Protection Mechanisms

Beyond powerful power conversion, the PS21767 integrates multiple intelligent drive and protection functions, ensuring stable and safe system operation under various conditions.

• Independent Drive Circuits for Upper and Lower Arm IGBTs: The module internally integrates independent drive circuits for both upper and lower arm IGBTs. This design ensures that IGBTs are driven precisely and efficiently, achieving optimal switching performance. Independent drive circuits also help simplify external drive circuit design, further enhancing system integration.

• Comprehensive Control Supply Under-Voltage (UV) Protection: Ensuring Stable System Operation: The PS21767 features built-in Under-Voltage (UV) protection for its control power supply. When the control supply voltage drops below a preset threshold, the module automatically shuts down the IGBTs, preventing malfunction or damage due due to insufficient drive voltage. This function significantly boosts system reliability, mitigating potential failure risks.

• Fast and Effective Short Circuit (SC) Protection: Preventing Device Damage: Short circuits pose a severe threat to power devices. The PS21767 includes fast and effective Short Circuit (SC) protection, which rapidly detects short-circuit conditions at the output and shuts down the IGBTs in a very short time, effectively preventing damage from overcurrent. This rapid response mechanism is crucial for protecting expensive power components.

• Fault Signal Output: Enhancing System Diagnosability: When a short circuit (SC) or control supply under-voltage (UV) fault occurs, the PS21767 outputs corresponding fault signals. These signals can be read by an external microcontroller, enabling real-time monitoring of system status and fault diagnosis. This not only helps quickly pinpoint issues but also provides valuable information for system maintenance and troubleshooting, improving overall system diagnosability and maintainability.

C. User-Friendly System Control Interface

The PS21767's interface design prioritizes compatibility with external microcontrollers, offering a user-friendly system control interface.

The module's input interface supports both 3V and 5V high-level active signals. This means the PS21767 can directly connect to the GPIO pins of most mainstream microcontrollers (MCUs) or digital signal processors (DSPs) without requiring additional level shifting circuits, further simplifying system design and reducing costs.

D. International Certification and Reliability

The reliability of the PS21767 is validated by international authoritative bodies.

The module has obtained UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification, bearing certification number E80276. UL certification is a globally recognized safety approval, indicating that the PS21767 meets strict international standards in terms of materials, structure, performance, and safety. This provides users with significant confidence, ensuring its safety and reliability across various applications.

In summary, the PS21767 offers an outstanding solution for small motor control systems, leveraging its highly integrated power conversion capability, intelligent drive and protection mechanisms, user-friendly system control interface, and reliable international certification.

PS21767 Dimensions Information

Deep Dive into PS21767's Core Features

The PS21767 stands out in small motor control applications thanks to its exceptional core features. These capabilities extend beyond robust power conversion, encompassing highly intelligent drive and protection mechanisms, along with a user-friendly system interface.

A. Highly Integrated Power Conversion Capability

One of the PS21767's primary strengths lies in its extensive integration of complex power conversion functions within a compact module.

• 600V/30A Low-Loss CSTBT? Inverter Bridge: Efficient DC-to-AC Conversion This module incorporates an advanced 600V/30A low-loss CSTBT? (Carrier Stored Trench Gate Bipolar Transistor) inverter bridge. CSTBT? technology, a proprietary Mitsubishi Electric IGBT innovation, optimizes carrier storage effects to significantly reduce conduction and switching losses, leading to higher power conversion efficiency. For DC-to-AC conversion, this means the PS21767 minimizes energy loss, reduces system heat generation, and boosts overall energy performance. In small motor control applications, high efficiency not only saves energy but also diminishes cooling requirements, enabling more compact and reliable designs.

• N-Side Three-Phase Output: Simplified Wiring and Design The PS21767 provides N-side three-phase output functionality, critical for three-phase motor drive applications. Integrating the inverter bridge output within the module greatly simplifies external wiring and reduces PCB board space. Designers are freed from complex power routing concerns, allowing them to focus more on overall system optimization, thereby shortening development cycles and reducing manufacturing costs.

B. Intelligent Drive and Protection Mechanisms

Beyond powerful power conversion, the PS21767 integrates multiple intelligent drive and protection functions, ensuring stable and safe system operation under various conditions.

• Independent Drive Circuits for Upper and Lower Arm IGBTs The module internally integrates independent drive circuits for both upper and lower arm IGBTs. This design ensures that IGBTs are driven precisely and efficiently, achieving optimal switching performance. Independent drive circuits also help simplify external drive circuit design, further enhancing system integration.

• Comprehensive Control Supply Under-Voltage (UV) Protection: Ensuring Stable System Operation The PS21767 features built-in Under-Voltage (UV) protection for its control power supply. When the control supply voltage drops below a preset threshold, the module automatically shuts down the IGBTs, preventing malfunction or damage due due to insufficient drive voltage. This function significantly boosts system reliability, mitigating potential failure risks.

• Fast and Effective Short Circuit (SC) Protection: Preventing Device Damage Short circuits pose a severe threat to power devices. The PS21767 includes fast and effective Short Circuit (SC) protection, which rapidly detects short-circuit conditions at the output and shuts down the IGBTs in a very short time, effectively preventing damage from overcurrent. This rapid response mechanism is crucial for protecting expensive power components.

• Fault Signal Output: Enhancing System Diagnosability When a short circuit (SC) or control supply under-voltage (UV) fault occurs, the PS21767 outputs corresponding fault signals. These signals can be read by an external microcontroller, enabling real-time monitoring of system status and fault diagnosis. This not only helps quickly pinpoint issues but also provides valuable information for system maintenance and troubleshooting, improving overall system diagnosability and maintainability.

C. User-Friendly System Control Interface

The PS21767's interface design prioritizes compatibility with external microcontrollers, offering a user-friendly system control interface.

3, 5V High-Level Active Input: Easy Microcontroller Connection The module's input interface supports both 3V and 5V high-level active signals. This means the PS21767 can directly connect to the GPIO pins of most mainstream microcontrollers (MCUs) or digital signal processors (DSPs) without requiring additional level shifting circuits, further simplifying system design and reducing costs.

D. International Certification and Reliability

The reliability of the PS21767 is validated by international authoritative bodies.

UL Certification (Yellow Card No. E80276) The module has obtained UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification, bearing certification number E80276. UL certification is a globally recognized safety approval, indicating that the PS21767 meets strict international standards in terms of materials, structure, performance, and safety. This provides users with significant confidence, ensuring its safety and reliability across various applications.

In summary, the PS21767 offers an outstanding solution for small motor control systems, leveraging its highly integrated power conversion capability, intelligent drive and protection mechanisms, user-friendly system control interface, and reliable international certification.

PS21767 Dimensions Information

PS21767 Application Scenarios

The PS21767 Intelligent Power Module is more than just an advanced component; it's a solution that brings tangible value to your designs. Its broad application prospects and significant design advantages make it an ideal choice for modern small motor control.

The core design objective of the PS21767 is to serve AC100V~200V three-phase inverter-driven small power motor control. This means it plays a crucial role in numerous everyday and industrial applications, such as:

• Home Appliances: Motor drives in variable frequency air conditioners, refrigerator compressors, washing machines, and range hoods, enabling more precise control and higher energy efficiency.

• HVAC Systems: Control of fans, pumps, and other equipment to optimize energy consumption.

• Industrial Automation: Stepper and servo motor control in small conveyor belts and automated equipment, boosting production efficiency.

• Power Tools: Motor drives for electric drills, angle grinders, and other handheld tools, providing more stable performance and longer battery life.

• Medical Devices: Motor drives in small medical pumps and diagnostic equipment, demanding high precision and reliability.

Advantages of PS21767

Choosing the PS21767 is not merely selecting a power module; it's adopting a strategy that empowers your design, offering several significant advantages:

• Significantly Simplified Design: Fewer External Components, Reduced Design Complexity The PS21767's high integration means you no longer need to worry about complex IGBT drive circuits, undervoltage protection circuits, and short-circuit protection circuits. These functions are all encapsulated within the module, drastically reducing the number of external components. This simplifies PCB layout and shortens design time. Fewer components also translate to smaller board space and lower Bill of Materials (BOM) costs.

• Enhanced System Reliability: Built-in Multiple Protection Functions, Extended Product Lifespan Reliability is the cornerstone of successful motor control systems. The PS21767's integrated control supply undervoltage (UV) protection and fast short-circuit (SC) protection automatically safeguard the IGBTs in abnormal conditions, preventing component damage. These immediate internal protection mechanisms significantly lower the risk of system failure, thereby extending the overall product lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

• Optimized Energy Efficiency: Low-Loss Technology for Energy Saving Utilizing Mitsubishi's proprietary low-loss CSTBT? technology, the PS21767 achieves extremely low energy loss during power conversion. This means less electrical energy is converted into heat, thereby increasing the efficiency of the entire motor drive system. In today's context, with increasing emphasis on energy conservation, the PS21767 helps your products meet stricter energy efficiency standards and enhance market competitiveness.

• Accelerated Development Cycle: High Integration, Faster Time-to-Market Due to its "plug-and-play" high integration, engineers can dedicate more effort to core application logic and system optimization, rather than fundamental power device drive and protection circuit design. This significantly shortens product development and debugging cycles, allowing your products to reach the market faster and gain a competitive edge.

Design Considerations and Recommendations for PS21767

To fully leverage the performance advantages of the PS21767 Intelligent Power Module and ensure its stable and reliable operation in practical applications, here are some key design considerations and recommendations. Adhering to these guidelines will help you optimize your design and prevent potential issues.

A. Critical External Component Selection

While highly integrated, the PS21767 still requires some external components to form a complete drive circuit. Correct selection of these components is crucial.

• CFO Capacitor: Determining Fault Signal Hold Width In the PS21767, the capacitance of the CFO capacitor (connected between CFO and VNC terminals) determines the hold time (IFO) of the fault protection signal. For instance, the datasheet indicates that a 22nF CFO capacitor typically corresponds to an IFO time of approximately 1.8ms. This timing is critical for the system's ability to respond to faults promptly and initiate protection measures. Designers should precisely select the CFO capacitor value based on the system's required fault response speed.

• R1C5 Time Constant: Impacting Short Circuit Interruption Time R1 and C5 are essential components in the short circuit protection circuit, collectively determining the protection circuit's time constant. The datasheet recommends selecting the R1C5 time constant within the range of 1.5-2μs. This time constant directly influences the module's interruption response speed during a short circuit event. To ensure accurate short circuit interruption time and maximize device protection, it is advisable to use high-precision, temperature-compensated R1 and C5 components.

• Snubber Capacitor (0.1-0.22μF): Surge Suppression It is strongly recommended to connect a 0.1-0.22μF snubber capacitor in parallel between the P and N1 terminals of the PS21767. The primary role of this snubber capacitor is to suppress voltage surges caused by parasitic inductance, especially voltage spikes generated during IGBT turn-off. Effective surge suppression is vital for protecting the power module from overvoltage damage.

B. Layout and Wiring Techniques

Proper PCB layout and wiring are essential for noise suppression, signal integrity, and optimized heat dissipation.

• Decoupling Capacitors Mounted Close to Module Terminals All decoupling capacitors for the power supply (especially C1 electrolytic capacitor and C2, C3 ceramic capacitors) should be mounted as close as possible to the corresponding power supply terminals of the PS21767. This minimizes parasitic inductance and resistance in the power loop, effectively suppressing power noise and ensuring the stability of the module's control power supply. It is recommended to use an electrolytic capacitor with good temperature and frequency characteristics for C1, and ceramic capacitors with good temperature, frequency, and DC bias characteristics for C2 and C3.

• P, N1 Terminals and Smoothing Capacitor Wiring Should Be as Short as Possible The wiring of the main power circuit should be optimized. Specifically, the connections between the PS21767's P and N1 power input terminals and the main smoothing capacitor should be as short and wide as possible. This helps reduce the loop's parasitic inductance, thereby effectively suppressing voltage spikes generated during power switching, further enhancing the module's surge immunity.

• Single-Point Connection for Control Ground and Power Ground: Avoiding Ground Fluctuation Interference To prevent interference to control signals from power ground fluctuations (caused by high current switching), it is highly recommended to connect the Control Ground (Control GND) and Power Ground (Power GND) at only one single point. If they are broadly connected via wide copper traces, transient voltage fluctuations on the power ground can easily couple into the control circuit, leading to module malfunction. Single-point grounding effectively isolates these two grounds, improving control signal stability.

C. Power Supply and Protection Circuits

Correct power supply design and additional protection measures can further enhance system robustness.

• Application of Zener Diode at Control Supply Terminals (24V/1W) To protect control power supplies VCC and VB (if applicable) from external transient surge voltages, it is recommended to connect a 24V/1W Zener diode in parallel across each pair of control supply terminals. The Zener diode can clamp excessive voltage to a safe level, thereby protecting the sensitive internal control circuits.

• Comparator Reference Voltage Setting (Vsc(ref): min. 0.43V to max. 0.53V) The comparator for the PS21767's internal short circuit protection function requires a reference voltage, Vref. This reference voltage should be set within the rated range of the short circuit trip level (Vsc(ref)), specifically from a minimum of 0.43V to a maximum of 0.53V. Ensuring the reference voltage is within this range guarantees that the short circuit protection function triggers at the correct point, effectively protecting the module. Concurrently, the OR logic output high level of the fault signal should exceed the maximum short circuit trip level to ensure proper fault signal identification.

What package type does the PS21767 use?

The PS21767 uses a DIP package.

More specifically, it is:

• Dual-In-Line Package (DIP)

• TRANSFER-MOLD TYPE

• INSULATED TYPE

This is clearly stated on the first page of its datasheet: "MITSUBISHI SEMICONDUCTOR

What is the weight of the PS21767?

According to the PS21767 datasheet, its typical module weight is 19.5 grams (g).