DC/DC converter with depletion-mode III-nitride switches
US8674670B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a buck converter for converting a high voltage at the input of the buck converter to a low voltage at the output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a control circuitry configured to control a duty cycle of a control switch, the control switch being interposed between the input and the output of the buck converter. A synchronous switch is interposed between the output and ground. The control switch and the synchronous switch comprise depletion-mode III-nitride transistors. In one embodiment, at least one of the control switch and the synchronous switches comprises a depletion-mode GaN HEMT. The buck converter further includes protection circuitry configured to disable current conduction through the control switch while the control circuitry is not powered up.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.