Over voltage protection for cascode switching power device

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure disclose a power semiconductor device coupled to a load operable to draw a load current comprising a power switch having a first terminal coupled to the load and a controller coupled to a control terminal of the power switch. The controller comprises a gate driving circuit configured to provide control of the control terminal of the power switch during normal switching operations; an overvoltage detection circuit configured to detect an overvoltage event occurring at the first terminal of the power switch; and an overvoltage protection circuit configured to provide control of the control terminal of the power switch during detection of the overvoltage event.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to semiconductor devices and, in particular, to over voltage protection for power semiconductor devices.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Integrated circuits, such as microprocessors and memory devices, include many metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), which provide the basic switching functions to implement logic gates, data storage, power switching, and the like. Power MOSFETs have typically been developed for applications requiring power switching and power amplification.

[0003] In one application, flyback converters, which generate a DC output from either an AC or DC input, are a simple switch mode power supply using a power MOSFET. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional flyback converter. When the MOSFET switch S turns on, energy from the input source Vin is applied and a current flows through the primary windings energizing a transformer T. The current in primary side of the transformer T ramps up proport...

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