Infineon’s EiceDRIVER™ Gate Drivers Empowering EV Traction Inverters

Infineon Technologies AG is a global leader in power semiconductors, renowned for pioneering high-performance and energy-efficient solutions for automotive, industrial, and renewable energy markets. The company consistently ranks among the top providers of gate driver ICs and wide bandgap semiconductor technologies, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN).

Use Case: Traction Inverters in Electric Vehicles (xEVs)

With the global push toward electrification, the demand for reliable and high-efficiency power conversion systems in EVs has reached a critical point. Traction inverters—core components in electric powertrains—require ultra-fast and thermally stable switching to optimize energy delivery from the battery to the motor. To meet these demands, Infineon introduced a groundbreaking solution: the third-generation EiceDRIVER™ isolated gate driver ICs.

Innovation Launch: January 2025

In January 2025, Infineon launched two advanced gate driver ICs:

  • 1EDI302xAS: Optimized for IGBT-based systems

  • 1EDI303xAS: Tailored for silicon carbide (SiC) and hybrid systems

Both products are fully ISO 26262-compliant and meet the stringent AEC-Q100 automotive standards. These drivers were purpose-built to enhance Infineon’s HybridPACK™ Drive G2 Fusion — the world’s first plug-and-play power module combining both silicon (IGBT) and silicon carbide (SiC) devices for automotive powertrains.

Technical Highlights

  • High Common-Mode Transient Immunity (CMTI): Enables stable operation in high-voltage switching environments

  • Reinforced Isolation: Up to 6kV isolation supports functional safety for EV inverters

  • Short Propagation Delay (<100ns): Ensures precise and synchronized switching

  • Dual-channel Architecture: Supports half-bridge and full-bridge configurations

  • Integrated Desaturation Protection & Soft Shut-down: Protects against overcurrent conditions and short circuits

Strategic Alignment with Market Trends

Rising Need for Wide Bandgap Compatibility

Infineon’s move aligns directly with the global shift toward SiC-based power modules, as SiC offers faster switching, lower thermal resistance, and higher voltage capabilities. These benefits are essential in:

  • High-performance traction inverters

  • Onboard chargers (OBCs)

  • DC-DC converters for EVs

Electrification and Fast-Charging Demands

Governments in Europe, China, and North America are accelerating EV adoption with aggressive carbon-neutral goals and subsidy programs. Infineon’s gate drivers ensure efficient power conversion and thermal reliability, which are key to supporting rapid EV charging and high-performance drivetrains.

Business Impact

  • Market Reach: Positioned Infineon as a go-to supplier for OEMs building next-gen EV platforms

  • Cost Efficiency: Simplified hybrid module design reduced BoM costs and accelerated time-to-market for EV manufacturers

  • Performance Gains: Improved power density and energy conversion efficiency in vehicles such as e-SUVs, plug-in hybrids, and premium BEVs

  • Safety Compliance: Enabled easier certification and compliance for automotive suppliers due to built-in diagnostics and ISO 26262 features

Industry Implications

Infineon’s launch signals a broader transformation in the gate driver IC market, especially within the automotive vertical, which is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2034. The company’s approach to hybrid integration (IGBT + SiC) also paves the way for a new design paradigm where flexibility and power density are critical differentiators.

Quote from Infineon (Imagined from Public Tone)

“With the 1EDI302xAS and 1EDI303xAS, we’re enabling OEMs to bridge the gap between silicon and silicon carbide in EV powertrains. These gate drivers bring new efficiency and safety standards to the forefront of electric mobility.”
Dr. Helmut Gassel, Chief Marketing Officer, Infineon Technologies

Conclusion

Infineon’s third-generation EiceDRIVER™ ICs are not just a product launch — they represent a strategic pivot toward future-proof, high-efficiency automotive electrification. As automakers seek scalable, modular solutions with high power density, Infineon’s gate drivers play a central role in the EV transformation.

This case study reinforces the projected growth in:

  • GaN/SiC gate driver IC segments

  • Automotive end-use segment

  • Dual-channel and isolated gate driver architectures

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