Sanken SAPxxP/N darlingtons with built-in diodes

[capslock]

These built-in diodes look like a sensible approach to bias control. Unfortunately, the Sanken data sheets do not state whether these are LAPT (multi-emitter) devices. Probably not, given the non-linearity of the h_FE vs. I_C plot. Also, no plot of h_FE vs frequency is given, so these may be pretty slow devices.

Anybody used these parts?

Eric

[rtirion]

These built-in diodes look like a sensible approach to bias control

Could you please elaborate on this?

I thought these diodes were a simple but effective way of protection

[capslock]

There are also Sanken power switching devices that have an antiparallel protection diode. I am talking about the SAP series audio darlingtons that have diodes for the bias voltage generation.

Eric

[lohk]

I wanted to start a thread about this a while ago (with no answer):

Sanken SAP15 transistors


Some more facts for the SAP15/16 family:

Built-in temperature compensation diodes and one emitter resistor
Real time temperature compensation
The temperature compensation diodes are mounted on one chip and placed in the center of the chip to
detect temperature rises directly.
Elimination of the temperature dependency of the idling current
The temperature coefficient of the diodes is optimized to have the idling current stabilized; thus one of
the fatal failure modes in conventional Darlington transistors, Thermal Runaway, is avoidable.
Symmetrical design for the PNP and the NPN pinouts
The new design minimizes the length of the pattern layout, and output distortions are controlled.
Darlington transistors, temperature compensation diodes and one emitter resistor are
incorporated in one package, so labor for parts insertion as well as the parts count is reduced.