Toshiba Launches TLX9920 Photovoltaic-Output Photocoupler for High-Voltage Automotive and Industrial Applications

Toshiba Launches TLX9920 Photovoltaic-Output Photocoupler for Automotive and Industrial High-Voltage Switching

Launch Highlights

The TLX9920 from Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation debuts as a photovoltaic-output photocoupler purpose-built to drive high-voltage solid-state relay (SSR) gates across demanding automotive and industrial environments. Volume shipments are slated for March 2026, positioning design teams to finalize next-generation power platforms with a qualified isolation component well ahead of production ramps.

Engineered for durability and safety, the TLX9920 achieves ≥ 5000 Vrms isolation and a creepage distance of ≥ 8 mm, enabling reliable non-contact switching in EV BMS nodes, onboard chargers, inverters, and stationary energy storage. By converting LED drive into a photovoltaic gate output, photocouplers eliminate mechanical wear seen in traditional relays,delivering long-life, arc-free operation that SSR designers demand.

Performance Specifications for High-Voltage Gate Driving

Packaged in a compact SO6L footprint of 3.84 × 10.0 × 2.1 mm, the TLX9920 is optimized for dense power boards where creepage and isolation margins cannot be compromised. Its one-minute isolation withstand of 5000 Vrms surpasses IEC 60664-1 expectations for equipment operating above 400 V, and the 8 mm creepage on the package body helps preserve safe distances between primary and secondary domains.

On the output side, designers get an open-circuit voltage of ≥ 13.5 V (min) and a short-circuit current of ≥ 8 microamperes, capacities aligned to charge and hold high-voltage MOSFET gates used in SSR topologies. The input LED forward voltage ranges about 1.5,1.65 V with a recommended maximum forward current of 30 mA, making drive straightforward from standard logic or conditioned microcontroller outputs.

Thermally, the device spans −40°C to +125°C, and it meets AEC‑Q101 qualification, signaling resilience against temperature cycling, humidity exposure, and high-temperature reverse-bias events that are routine in EV architectures and industrial power plants. In short, it’s a robust, automotive-grade photovoltaic-output photocoupler engineered for high-voltage switching.

Target Applications in Automotive and Energy Storage

The TLX9920 targets SSR gate drivers in BMS, onboard chargers, DC‑DC converters, pre‑charge paths, and traction inverters for hybrid and battery EV platforms,many now exceeding 800 V nominal. Its optical isolation architecture provides a fail-safe barrier between low-voltage control logic and high-voltage battery domains, reducing common-mode disturbance and improving system longevity by avoiding contact erosion.

Beyond the vehicle, the device is also a fit for stationary energy storage, industrial motor drives, and grid-interface converters where galvanic isolation and long service life are essential. When paired with modern high-voltage MOSFETs or SiC switches in an SSR, the TLX9920 supports silent, fast, and reliable switching,ideal where mechanical relays struggle with wear or arcing.

“The TLX9920 enables reliable high-voltage switching with enhanced isolation performance for next-generation automotive and industrial power systems.”

Coupled with AEC‑Q101 pedigree and wide operating temperature, the isolation and creepage metrics complement functional-safety objectives aligned with ISO 26262, helping teams design for both reliability and compliance.

Integration and Compliance Considerations

For best results, printed-circuit layouts should preserve ≥ 8 mm creepage and clearance between primary and secondary circuits to maintain the isolation class noted in datasheets and per IEC 60664. Gate-drive calculations must confirm that the TLX9920’s open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current satisfy the target MOSFET’s gate charge and leakage over temperature and process, while respecting the 30 mA LED input limit to avoid overstress.

The SO6L package is compatible with common lead-free reflow profiles. Designers should validate switching dynamics on the bench using representative power MOSFETs and SiC devices under load, ensuring that time constants, leakage, and hold-up behavior meet SSR performance targets. Thermal modeling should account for both photocoupler dissipation and the SSR’s semiconductor conduction and switching losses at the top end of the +125°C rating.

According to Toshiba product collateral, the TLX9920 aligns with RoHS and REACH directives, simplifying environmental compliance across global supply chains.

Availability and Procurement

Volume shipments of the TLX9920 are planned for March 2026, with the orderable code TLX9920TPLF appearing at authorized distributors such as Mouser. While Toshiba has not published standard pricing, devices of similar capability and package size often land in the USD $1,$5 range depending on volume and terms; buyers should confirm current quotes and lead times for production schedules.

For engineering teams progressing toward design freeze, securing early samples and engaging Toshiba’s technical support can de-risk validation. Whether the target is a high-voltage SSR in an EV BMS or an industrial energy storage inverter, the TLX9920’s combination of photovoltaic-output photocoupler architecture, AEC‑Q101 qualification, and compact SO6L packaging makes it a compelling candidate for robust, long-life isolation and gate drive.

Conclusion

By pairing strong isolation performance with automotive-grade reliability, the TLX9920 gives designers a streamlined route to high-voltage solid-state relay gate driving,without the wear, noise, or maintenance overhead of mechanical contacts. For automotive and industrial power systems chasing higher voltages, tighter safety margins, and longer service intervals, this photovoltaic-output photocoupler arrives as a timely, forward-looking building block.