Semiconductor device controllers
US9209787B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/18
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
We describe a controller (130) for controlling a power semiconductor switching device (132) into a selected one of a plurality of states, the states including a fully-off state, a saturated-on state, and at least one intermediate state. The switching device controller includes a voltage sense input (142) to sense a voltage on the device; a current sense input (current feedback) to sense a current passing through the device; a negative feedback control circuit (138) coupled to the sense inputs, a control output (136) to provide to the power semiconductor switching device a drive signal with a response dependent on one or more adjustable parameters; and a circuit controller (140) to control the adjustable parameters responsive to state command data, to control the switching device into a selected state, in particular by controlling an effective resistance of the device. Preferred intermediate states include an active low current state and an active low voltage state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.