Gate driver for hybrid power switching

Abstract

A method includes receiving a signal (202) to turn on a hybrid power switching circuit system (240) when the received signal is asserted. The method further includes generating a first logic signal and a second logic signal (output of 220) in response to the received signal (202) and a feedback signal (output of 250) generated in response to signals received from one or more switches (inputs of 250). The method includes driving a silicon device (242) (230) based on the first logic signal and a wide bandgap device (244) (230) based on the second logic signal. The method includes generating the feedback signal based on whether the silicon device (242) or the wide bandgap device (244) is turned on or off.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 554,287, filed February 16, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, high-power applications have increased. For example, the increasing number of electric vehicles has led to an increase in the number of high-power applications (e.g., the main power switch in the inverter of an electric vehicle). Traditionally, silicon-based transistors such as insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) have been used, but these have significant power losses. Wide-bandgap (WBG) devices (e.g., silicon carbide) offer higher efficiency than IGBT devices, but are more expensive. Some applications use a hybrid approach that incorporates both IGBT and WBG devices to achieve similar efficiency to pure WBG devices, but at a lower cost. However, the hybrid approach increases computational complexity and processing costs due to the timing requirements for turning both the IGBT and WBG devices on and off at the appropriate times. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one example, a device includes one or more programmable switches, a logic circuit system, a driver circuit system, a hybrid power switch circuit system, and a detection circuit system. After programming, the one or more programmable switches activate the first and second devices based on a selected ratio of a first device to a second device within the hybrid power switch circuit system, and further, when a received signal used to activate the hybrid power switch circuit system is asserted. The first device is a device of a first type, and the second device is a device of a second type. The logic circuit system is coupled to the one or more programmable switches, and generates logic signals to activate or deactivate the driver circuit system. Logic signals are generated based on signals received from the one or more programmable switches and further based on detection signals received from the detection circuit system. The driver circuit system is coupled to the logic circuit system. The driver circuit system generates drive signals to the hybrid power switch circuit system and the detection circuit system based on the logic signals. The hybrid power switch circuit system includes the first and second devices. The hybrid power switch circuit system receives drive signals that control the timing of activating and deactivating the first and second devices. The detection circuit system receives feedback signals associated with the hybrid power switch circuit system. The detection circuit system detects whether the second device is on or off, and further detects whether the first device is on or off. The detection circuit system generates a detection signal for the logic circuit system.

[0004] In at least one instance, a device includes one or more programmable switches, a first logic circuit, a second logic circuit, a first drive circuit, a second drive circuit, and a feedback circuit system. The one or more programmable switches, after programming, activate the wide-bandgap device and the silicon device based on a selected ratio of silicon devices to wide-bandgap devices within the hybrid power switching circuit system, and further, when a received signal used to activate the hybrid power switching circuit system is asserted. The first logic circuit is coupled to the one or more programmable switches. The first logic circuit generates a first logic signal. A first drive circuit is coupled to the first logic circuit to receive the first logic signal and, in response to the first logic signal, drives the silicon device of the hybrid power switching circuit system. The second logic circuit is coupled to the one or more programmable switches. The second logic circuit generates a second logic signal. The second drive circuit is coupled to the second logic circuit to receive the second logic signal and, in response to the second logic signal, drives the wide-bandgap device of the hybrid power switching circuit system. The feedback circuit system receives a feedback signal associated with the hybrid power switching circuit system. The feedback circuit system generates the feedback signal based on the on / off state of the silicon device or the wide-bandgap device. The feedback circuit system sends the feedback signal to the first logic circuit and the second logic circuit. The first logic circuit generates a first logic signal based on a feedback signal and further based on signals received from one or more programmable switches. The second logic circuit generates a second logic signal based on the feedback signal and further based on signals received from one or more programmable switches.

[0005] In at least one instance, a method includes receiving a signal to turn on a hybrid power switching circuit system when the received signal is asserted. The method further includes generating a first logic signal in response to a feedback signal and further in response to signals received from one or more switches. Additionally, a second logic signal is generated in response to the feedback signal and further in response to signals received from one or more switches. A silicon device is driven based on the first logic signal. A wide-bandgap device is driven based on the second logic signal. The feedback signal is generated based on whether the silicon device or the wide-bandgap device is turned on or off. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a device including a gate driver for hybrid power switching, as shown in the example.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another device in the example, which includes a gate driver for hybrid power switching.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the set and reset logic circuit system in the example.

[0009] Figure 4 For example Figure 2 Timing diagram of the equipment.

[0010] Figure 5 The waveform is a timing simulation of the device in the example.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a simulation of the energy loss of the devices in the example.

[0012] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating the operation of a device with a gate driver for hybrid power switching is provided for the example. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The same reference numerals or other reference designations are used in the accompanying drawings to designate the same or similar features (functionally and / or structurally). Hybrid power switches have been used in high-power applications, such as traction inverters used in electric vehicles to convert direct current (DC) supply from the vehicle's battery into alternating current (AC) output, high-power industrial motor drives, solar inverters and energy storage devices in solar energy applications, etc. For example, a first device type (e.g., a wide bandgap device) can be used in parallel with a second device type (e.g., a silicon device (e.g., an IGBT device)) to reduce the costs associated with using a pure WBG device and to achieve a significant improvement in power loss compared to using a pure silicon device.

[0014] Gate timing between the WBG device and the silicon device is crucial for improving efficiency. Some methods control the gate timing between the WBG device and the silicon device using a microcontroller or other similar components, which leads to increased complexity and cost, such as higher silicon usage, higher pin counts, and placing additional processing burden on the microcontroller associated with real-time timing requirements. In some cases, register settings that are programmed and changed during operation are used to control gate timing, or alternatively, separate gate drivers are used to independently control both the silicon device and the WBG device using their own gate signal timing. In other words, there are trade-offs between device size, cost, implementation complexity, and efficiency.

[0015] According to one example, by using a feedback signal associated with a hybrid power switch to control the gate timing between the WBG device and the silicon device, the gate driver can improve the timing between the WBG device and the silicon device, thereby increasing efficiency. Therefore, eliminating the need for a microcontroller to control the gate timing between the WBG device and the silicon device reduces the computational burden on the microcontroller and reduces the pin count and die area of ​​the gate driver. Furthermore, using a feedback signal to control gate timing is automated and achieves high efficiency at a reduced cost (e.g., smaller die size, reduced number of pins in the gate driver, etc.).

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a device 100 including a gate driver for a hybrid power switch 140, as illustrated in the example. Device 100 includes a set of programmable switches 110, a logic circuit system 120, a drive circuit system 130, a hybrid power switch circuit system 140, and a detection circuit system 150. According to one example, the programmable switch 110 is coupled to the logic circuit system 120, which is coupled to the drive circuit system 130, which is coupled to the hybrid power switch circuit system 140, and the hybrid power switch circuit system is coupled to the detection circuit system 150.

[0017] The hybrid power switching circuit system 140 may include a first device 146 (switch) of a first type (e.g., a silicon-type device (e.g., an IGBT switch)) and a second device 148 (switch) of a second type (e.g., a WBG device (e.g., a silicon carbide switch)). In this example, the first device 146 is coupled in parallel to the second device 148.

[0018] Based on some examples, replacing a small portion of a pure silicon device with a WBG device in a high-power switching circuit system results in a hybrid power switching circuit system with improved efficiency and reduced cost, as described above. Similarly, replacing a small portion of a pure WBG device with a silicon device in a high-power switching circuit system results in a hybrid power switching circuit system with improved efficiency, reduced cost, smaller die size, and reduced pin count, etc. For illustrative purposes, Figure 1 In one example, a small portion of a pure silicon device is replaced with a WBG device to form a hybrid power switching circuit system 140.

[0019] In one example, programmable switch 110 may include multiple switches that can be set or programmed by a customer (e.g., an electric vehicle manufacturer, a solar energy manufacturer, etc.). For example, programmable switch 110 may be programmed once using programming signal 104. Programming programmable switch 110 once is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the example.

[0020] According to one example, programming the programmable switch 110 can be based on the ratio of a first type of device (e.g., silicon devices (e.g., IGBT switches)) to a second type of device (e.g., WBG devices (e.g., WBG switches)) in the hybrid power switching circuit system 140. In this example, the ratio of silicon devices to WBG devices is higher because a small portion of the silicon devices is replaced by WBG devices. This higher ratio can be used to program the programmable switch 110 via programming signal 104.

[0021] According to some examples, silicon devices (e.g., IGBT switches) react more slowly than WBG devices (e.g., WBG switches), for example, they turn off more slowly. Therefore, a higher ratio of silicon devices to WBG devices can be used to improve efficiency and reduce losses. For example, during the switching on / off of a hybrid power switching circuit system 140, devices with a higher ratio (silicon devices herein and for illustrative purposes) will be switched on / off before (e.g., prior to) devices with a lower ratio (WBG devices herein and for illustrative purposes). Conversely, for illustrative purposes, in a hybrid power switching circuit system 140 with a higher ratio of WBG devices to silicon devices, the WBG devices are switched on / off before (e.g., prior to) the silicon devices to improve efficiency and reduce losses. The programmable switch 110 is programmed based on the ratio of device types in the hybrid power switching circuit system 140, resulting in the higher ratio device type carrying the full load of current during the on-time by switching on the higher ratio device type before switching on the lower ratio device type. According to the example, "on" refers to the situation where a device transitions from a de-energized position to an energized position. During the "off" period, the hybrid power switching circuit system 140 disconnects the device type with a higher ratio (e.g., silicon devices, such as IGBT switches in this example) before disconnecting the device type with a lower ratio (e.g., prior to disconnection), reducing (voltage and current) VI overlap disconnection losses and thus improving efficiency.

[0022] Once programmed, programmable switch 110 can receive signal 102 to turn hybrid power switching circuitry 140 on or off as needed. In one example, signal 102 may be a pulse-width modulated signal received from a controller (e.g., a microcontroller unit). As described above, signal 102 is routed through programmable switch 110 based on the ratio of device types in hybrid power switching circuitry 140, such that device types with a lower ratio in hybrid power switching circuitry 140 are turned on first, followed by device types with a higher ratio. Logic circuitry 120 receives signal 102 routed through programmable switch 110 and generates logic signal 122. Logic signal 122 may contain one or more signals to be set or reset to enable or disable a specific device type in hybrid power switching circuitry 140. In other words, logic signal 122 controls timing sequence to turn specific device types in hybrid power switching circuitry 140 on / off.

[0023] In one example, logic signal 122 is received by drive circuitry 130, which generates drive signal 132. Drive signal 132 drives the device type within hybrid power switching circuitry system 140 based on the received logic signal 122. Drive signal 132 is sent to hybrid power switching circuitry system 140 to turn devices on / off based on the type of devices (e.g., first device 146 and second device 148) within hybrid power switching circuitry system 140. For example, when signal 102 is asserted as high, drive signal 132 may turn on first device 146 before turning on second device 148. Similarly, when signal 102 is asserted as low, drive signal 132 may turn off first device 146 before turning off second device 148.

[0024] According to one example, the detection circuitry 150 receives one or more signals associated with the hybrid power switching circuitry 140. For example, a drive signal 132 may be sent to the detection circuitry 150 and may include gate voltage feedback. Additionally, an output signal 142 from the hybrid power switching circuitry 140 may be sent to the detection circuitry 150 and may include drain-source (or collector-emitter) voltage feedback. The detection circuitry 150 can use the drive signal 132 and / or the output signal 142 to determine whether the second device 148 should be turned on (during the energization of the hybrid power switching circuitry 140). For example, the detection circuitry 150 may determine whether the first device 146 is turned on, and if so, generate a detection signal 152 to turn on the second device 148 during the energization of the hybrid power switching circuitry 140. Therefore, the full-load current is carried by the first device 146, which has a higher ratio compared to the second device 148. Furthermore, the detection circuitry 150 can use the drive signal 132 and / or the output signal 142 to determine whether the second device 148 remains on when the first device 146 is being disconnected. For example, the detection circuitry 150 can determine that the first device 146 is not disconnected, and therefore can generate a detection signal 152 to keep the second device 148 on until the first device 146 is disconnected and then the second device 148 is disconnected. This reduces voltage-current (VI) overlap disconnection losses.

[0025] Therefore, during the power-on / power-off period of the hybrid power switching circuit system 140, the devices within the hybrid power switching circuit system 140 are automatically controlled by feedback signals rather than by a microcontroller, based on the device type. In other words, the gate timing between the WBG device and the silicon device is controlled using feedback signals associated with the hybrid power switching circuit system 140.

[0026] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of another device 200 in the example, including a gate driver for a hybrid power switch. Device 200 includes a programmable switch 210 coupled to a logic circuit system 220, which is coupled to a driver circuit system 230, which is coupled to a hybrid power switch circuit system 240, and which is coupled to a feedback circuit system 250. The programmable switch 210 is similar to... Figure 1 The programmable switch 110, and operates similarly to the programmable switch 110. The logic circuit system 220 is similar to... Figure 1 The logic circuit system 120, and operates similarly to the logic circuit system 120. The drive circuit system 230 is similar to... Figure 1 The drive circuit system 130 operates similarly to the drive circuit system 130. The hybrid power switching circuit system 240 is similar to... Figure 1 A hybrid power switching circuit system 140, and operates similarly to the power switching circuit system 140. The hybrid power switching circuit system 240 includes two device types connected in parallel with each other. The first device type may be a silicon switch 242, and the second device type may be a WBG switch 244. Similar to... Figure 1 For illustrative purposes, the ratio of silicon switch 242 to WBG switch 244 is relatively high. The feedback circuit system 250 is similar to... Figure 1 The detection circuit system 150 operates similarly to the detection circuit system 150. Signal 202 is similar to signal 102.

[0027] For illustrative purposes, in one example, programmable switch 210 includes switches 212 and 214. In another example, more than two switches in different configurations may be used. Programmable switch 210 receives, for example, a programming signal 204 from a customer to program switches 212 and 214 (e.g., to position switches 212 and 214). Programming signal 204 may be similar to programming signal 104. In this example, switch 212 is switched to a position that causes silicon switch 242 to be turned on before WBG switch 244 is turned on, so that when hybrid power switching circuit system 240 is turned on, the silicon switch 242 is fully loaded because the silicon switch 242 in hybrid power switching circuit system 240 has a higher ratio compared to WBG switch 244. Switch 214 is switched to a position that keeps WBG switch 244 on when the hybrid power switching circuit system 240 is disconnected until silicon switch 242 is completely off, in order to reduce VI overlap disconnection losses, since silicon switch 242 is the hybrid power switching circuit system 240 and has a higher ratio compared to WBG switch 244.

[0028] Logic circuit system 220 may include a set of set and reset logic circuit systems and a set of flip-flops. In one example, logic circuit system 220 may include set logic circuit system 222A, which is coupled to the set input of the flip-flop circuit system 226 to turn on silicon switch 242 based on a signal 202 asserted high when routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250. In other words, set logic circuit system 222A combined with the set input of flip-flop circuit system 226 generates a set signal to turn on silicon switch 242 based on signal 202 asserted high and routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250. In one example, logic circuit system 220 may include reset logic circuit system 224A, coupled to the reset input of flip-flop circuit system 226, to turn off silicon switch 242 based on signal 202 asserted low when routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250. In other words, reset logic circuit system 224A, combined with the reset input of flip-flop circuit system 226, generates a reset signal to turn off silicon switch 242 based on signal 202 asserted low and routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250.

[0029] In one example, logic circuit system 220 may include set logic circuit system 222B, coupled to the set input of flip-flop circuit system 228, to turn on WBG switch 244 based on signal 202 asserted high when routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250 (e.g., after silicon switch 242 is turned on so that full load is carried by silicon switch 242, since silicon switch 242 has a higher ratio to WBG switch 244). In other words, set logic circuit system 222B and set input of flip-flop circuit system 228 combine to generate set signal to turn on WBG switch 244 based on signal 202 asserted high and routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250. In one example, logic circuit system 220 may include reset logic circuit system 224B, coupled to the reset input of flip-flop 228 circuit system, to turn off WBG switch 244 based on signal 202 asserted low when routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250 (e.g., WBG switch 244 remains on to reduce VI overlap-off losses until silicon switch 242 is turned off). In other words, reset logic circuit system 224B combined with the reset input of flip-flop 228 circuit system generates a reset signal to turn off WBG switch 242 based on signal 202 asserted low and routed through programmable switch 210 and further based on a feedback signal received from feedback circuit system 250.

[0030] In one example, a logic signal generated by logic circuit system 220 is sent to drive circuit system 230. Drive circuit system 230 may include driver 232A for driving silicon switch 242 on / off based on the logic signal received from logic circuit system 220. For example, driver 232A may drive a voltage to VDD_Si to turn on silicon switch 242 in response to the logic signal received from logic circuit system 220. Conversely, driver 232A may drive a voltage to VEE_Si to turn off silicon switch 242 in response to the logic signal received from logic circuit system 220. In one example, drive circuit system 230 may further include driver 232B for driving WBG switch 244 on / off based on the logic signal received from logic circuit system 220. For example, driver 232B may drive a voltage to VDD_WBG to turn on WBG switch 244 in response to the logic signal received from logic circuit system 220. Conversely, driver 232B may drive voltage to VEE_WBG to disconnect WBG switch 244 in response to a logic signal received from logic circuit system 220.

[0031] In one example, one or more signals associated with the hybrid power switching circuit system 240 are transmitted as feedback signals to the feedback circuit system 250. The feedback circuit system 250 may include a sensing circuit system 252, a comparator 254, and a comparator 256. In this example, the drain-source (or collector-emitter) voltage of the hybrid power switching circuit system 240 is sent as a feedback signal to the feedback circuit system 250 to determine, via the sensing circuit system 252, whether the silicon switch 242 is on. The sensing circuit system 252 may output a voltage to the comparator 254, which compares the output voltage with a ground voltage to determine whether the silicon switch 242 is on, thus carrying a full load. If the silicon switch 242 is on, it carries a full load, and because the ratio of the silicon switch 242 to the WBG switch 244 is high, the WBG switch 244 may be turned on to improve efficiency. Therefore, if silicon switch 242 is turned on, the output of comparator 254 is input to set logic circuit system 222B to turn on WBG switch 244. However, if the output of sensing circuit system 252 is low, the output of comparator 254 is asserted to be low, and therefore set logic circuit system 222B does not generate an assertion to be high to turn off WBG switch 244 and keep it in the off position.

[0032] In one example, a signal on the gate of silicon switch 242 (e.g., a drive signal for driving silicon switch 242) can be sent to feedback circuitry system 250, where the signal is compared with VEE_Si via comparator 256 to determine whether silicon switch 242 is on or off. If silicon switch 242 is not off, WBG switch 244 remains on to reduce VI overlap-off losses. However, if silicon switch 242 is determined to be off (e.g., no voltage on its gate), WBG switch 244 can be off. Therefore, the output of comparator 256 generates a signal that causes reset logic circuitry system 224B to generate an assertion high for the reset input of flip-flop 228, causing driver 232B to drive WBG switch 244 low or off.

[0033] Therefore, the silicon device is turned on during the rising edge of the pulse width modulation signal and turned off during the falling edge of the pulse width modulation signal. Furthermore, a drop in the collector voltage turns the WBG device on, while a drop in the gate voltage of the silicon device turns the WBG device off.

[0034] Therefore, as described, the dual-output gate driver uses feedback signals from the switching node and the gate voltage to adjust the timing between the gate waveforms of the parallel silicon device and the WBG device. The gate driver optimizes the timing of the on / off switches for higher efficiency, thereby eliminating the need for timing control using a microcontroller. In other words, the timing sequence of the flip-flop silicon device and the WBG device is controlled using feedback signals rather than a microcontroller. This reduces the computational cost and burden of the microcontroller, while simultaneously reducing the pin count and die area of ​​the gate driver.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the set and reset logic circuitry system in the example. The set logic circuitry system 222A may include a delay element 320 coupled to an inverter 322, which is coupled to an AND logic 324. A signal 202 is sent to one input of the AND logic 324, and simultaneously transmitted through the delay element 320, which is coupled to a second input of the AND logic 324 and to the inverter 322. The output of the AND logic 324 may be coupled to the set input of the flip-flop 226. The reset logic circuitry system 224A may include a delay element 330 coupled to an inverter 323, which is coupled to a NOR logic 334. A signal 202 is sent to one input of the NOR logic 334, and simultaneously transmitted through the delay element 330, which is coupled to a second input of the NOR logic 334 and to the inverter 332. The output of the NOR logic 334 may be coupled to the reset input of the flip-flop 226.

[0036] Figure 4 For example Figure 2 The timing diagram of the device is shown. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is illustrated. When the PWM signal goes high, its inverted phase goes low after a delay. The PWM signal asserts high, causing the set input of the set logic circuit system 222A to be asserted high (e.g., setting an IGBT latch). Therefore, the output of driver 232A is asserted high, causing the silicon device 242 (e.g., an IGBT) to turn on, resulting in an IGBT gate-to-emitter voltage (V...). ge The output of the hybrid power switching circuit system 240 is compared with the ground voltage by comparator 254, for example, the drain-to-source voltage and the collector-to-emitter voltage (V). ds / V ce When silicon device 242 is turned on, the output of comparator 254 causes the set input of flip-flop 228 (e.g., WBG latch set) to be set high by set logic circuitry 222B. Therefore, driver 232B drives WBG device 244 to turn on, as indicated by WBG V. gs As shown.

[0037] After a specific amount of time, the PWM signal can be deasserted. When the PWM signal goes low, its inverted phase goes high after a delay. The PWM signal being asserted low causes the reset input of the reset logic circuitry system 224A to be asserted high (e.g., IGBT latch reset). Therefore, the output of driver 232A is asserted low, causing silicon device 242 (e.g., IGBT) to turn off, for example, IGBT V. ge The voltage decreases. Comparator 256 compares the output of the hybrid power switching circuit system 240 with the ground voltage, for example, the drain-to-source voltage and the collector-to-emitter voltage (V). ds / V ce When silicon device 242 is turned off, the output of comparator 256 causes the reset input of flip-flop 228 (e.g., WBG latch reset) to be set high by reset logic circuitry system 224B. Therefore, driver 232B drives WBG device 244 to turn off, as if by WBG V gs As shown.

[0038] As illustrated, the device 200 is programmed via programmable switch 210 according to the ratio of silicon switches to WBG switches. In one example, because the silicon switches are slower to respond compared to WBG switches and because the ratio of silicon switches to WBG switches is higher, programmable switch 210 is programmed to turn the silicon switches on / off before turning the WBG switches on / off. This programming during the switching on of the hybrid power switching circuit system allows the silicon switches, which have a higher ratio than WBG switches, to carry the full load. Furthermore, this programming during the switching off of the hybrid power switching circuit system allows the WBG switches to remain on until the silicon switches are off, thereby reducing VI switching losses.

[0039] Based on some examples, programmable switches can be used with Figures 1 to 3 The programmable switches described herein are programmed differently. In other words, the specific programming of the programmable switches and the configuration of the logic circuit system are provided for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the examples.

[0040] Figure 5 The simulation shows the timing waveforms for the device in the example. The simulation plots the voltages on the gates of the WBG device and the silicon device. The simulation shows that as the collector / drain current of the silicon device decreases, the drain current of the WBG increases. Therefore, the drain / source to collector / emitter voltage decreases, thereby reducing VI overlap losses. According to one example, Figures 1 to 4 The architecture automatically (without using a microcontroller) adjusts the relative delay time between the silicon device and the WBG device based on the collector (or drain) voltage and gate voltage of the silicon device, thereby improving efficiency and reducing computational costs and complexity at smaller die sizes, reducing pin inputs, and lowering gate drive costs, etc.

[0041] Figure 6 This example simulates the energy loss of the equipment. The energy loss of a hybrid power switching circuit system over the entire switching cycle can be calculated using the following equation:

[0042]

[0043] Where V ce / ds i is the collector-emitter to drain-source voltage of a hybrid power switching circuit system. c Let i be the collector current of the silicon device, and i d This represents the drain current of the WBG device. As illustrated, energy loss calculations include on / off IV overlap losses and conduction losses, thereby improving efficiency.

[0044] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating the operation of a device having a gate driver for a hybrid power switch is provided for the example. At step 710, a signal is received to turn on the hybrid power switch circuitry when the received signal is asserted (e.g., high). At step 720, a first logic signal is generated in response to a feedback signal and further in response to signals received from one or more switches (e.g., programmable switches). At step 730, a second logic signal is generated in response to the feedback signal and further in response to signals received from one or more switches. At step 740, a silicon device is driven based on the first logic signal. At step 750, a wide bandgap device is driven based on the second logic signal. At step 760, a feedback signal is generated based on whether the silicon device or the wide bandgap device is turned on or off.

[0045] In this specification, the term "coupled" may encompass a connection, communication, or signal path that achieves a functional relationship conforming to this specification. For example, if device A generates a signal to control device B to perform an action, then: (a) in a first instance, device A is coupled to device B via a direct connection; or (b) in a second instance, device A is coupled to device B via an intermediate component C, provided that the intermediate component C does not alter the functional relationship between device A and device B, such that device B is controlled by device A via a control signal generated by device A.

[0046] Furthermore, in this specification, the statement "based on" means "at least partially based on". Therefore, if X is based on Y, then X may depend on Y and any number of other factors.

[0047] Devices “configured” to perform tasks or functions may be configured by the manufacturer at manufacturing time (e.g., programmed and / or hardwired) to perform functions and / or may be configured (or reconfigured) by the user after manufacturing to perform functions and / or other additional or alternative functions. Configuration may be performed through firmware and / or software programming of the device, through the construction and / or layout of hardware components and the interconnection of the device, or a combination thereof.

[0048] Modifications to the described embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims, and other embodiments are also possible.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: One or more programmable switches, which, after being programmed, activate the first and second devices based on a selected ratio of a first device to a second device within a hybrid power switching circuit system and further when a received signal for activating the hybrid power switching circuit system is asserted, wherein the first device is a device of a first type and wherein the second device is a device of a second type. A logic circuit system coupled to one or more programmable switches, the logic circuit system generating logic signals to turn on or off a driver circuit system, wherein the logic signals are generated based on signals received from the one or more programmable switches and further based on detection signals received from a detection circuit system; A driver circuit system coupled to the logic circuit system, wherein the driver circuit system generates drive signals to the hybrid power switch circuit system and the detection circuit system based on the logic signals; The hybrid power switching circuit system includes the first device and the second device, wherein the hybrid power switching circuit system receives the drive signal, and the drive signal controls the timing of turning the first device and the second device on and off. and The detection circuit system receives a feedback signal associated with the hybrid power switch circuit system, wherein the detection circuit system detects whether the second device is on or off, and further detects whether the first device is on or off, and wherein the detection circuit system generates the detection signal to the logic circuit system.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal received by the one or more programmable switches is a pulse width modulation signal.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the pulse width modulation signal is generated by a microcontroller.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the logic circuit system comprises a first part that generates a first logic signal to control the first device to be turned on or off; and a second part that generates a second logic signal to control the second device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the driver circuit system comprises a first portion for driving the first device and a second portion for driving the second device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the selected ratio reflects more of the first device than the second device, and wherein when the received signal for activating the hybrid switching circuit system is asserted, the first device is activated first before the second device is activated, and wherein the second device remains activated while the first device is deactivated, and wherein the second device is deactivated after the first device is deactivated.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the detection circuit system includes a comparator to determine whether the first device is turned on, and wherein the detection circuit system generates the feedback signal to turn on the second device in response to determining that the first device is turned on.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the detection circuit system includes a comparator to determine whether the first device is disconnected, and wherein the detection circuit system generates the feedback signal to disconnect the second device in response to determining that the first device is disconnected.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second device is a wide-gap device comprising a wide-gap field-effect transistor (FET) switch, and wherein the first device is a silicon device comprising a silicon FET switch.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit system includes a comparator.

11. An apparatus comprising: One or more programmable switches, which, after being programmed, activate the wide-bandgap device and the silicon device based on a selected ratio of silicon devices to wide-bandgap devices within a hybrid power switching circuit system and further when a received signal used to activate the hybrid power switching circuit system is asserted. A first logic circuit coupled to the one or more programmable switches, wherein the first logic circuit generates a first logic signal; A first driving circuit is coupled to the first logic circuit to receive the first logic signal and to drive the silicon device of the hybrid power switching circuit system in response to the first logic signal. A second logic circuit coupled to the one or more programmable switches, wherein the second logic circuit generates a second logic signal; A second driving circuit is coupled to the second logic circuit to receive the second logic signal and to drive the wide bandgap device of the hybrid power switching circuit system in response to the second logic signal. and A feedback circuit system receives a feedback signal associated with the hybrid power switching circuit system, wherein the feedback circuit system generates the feedback signal based on the on / off state of the silicon device or the wide bandgap device, and wherein the feedback circuit system sends the feedback signal to the first logic circuit and the second logic circuit. The first logic circuit generates the first logic signal based on the feedback signal and further based on signals received from the one or more programmable switches. The second logic circuit generates the second logic signal based on the feedback signal and further based on the signal received from the one or more programmable switches.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the signal received by the one or more programmable switches is a pulse width modulation signal.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the pulse width modulation signal is generated by a microcontroller.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the selected ratio reflects more silicon devices than the wide bandgap device, and wherein when the received signal used to turn on the hybrid switching circuit system is asserted, the silicon devices are turned on first before the wide bandgap device is turned on, and wherein the wide bandgap device remains on while the silicon devices are off, and wherein the wide bandgap device is off after the silicon devices are off.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the feedback circuit system includes a comparator to determine whether the silicon device is turned on, and wherein the feedback circuit system generates the feedback signal to turn on the wide bandgap device in response to determining that the silicon device is turned on.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the feedback circuit system includes a comparator to determine whether the silicon device is disconnected, and wherein the feedback circuit system generates the feedback signal to disconnect the wide bandgap device in response to determining that the silicon device is disconnected.

17. A method comprising: Receive signals to activate the hybrid power switching circuit system when the received signal is asserted; A first logic signal is generated in response to a feedback signal and further in response to a signal received from one or more switches; A second logic signal is generated in response to the feedback signal and further in response to the signal received from the one or more switches; The silicon device is driven based on the first logic signal; The wide bandwidth device is driven based on the second logic signal; and The feedback signal is generated based on whether the silicon device or the wide bandgap device is on or off.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein generating the feedback signal comprises comparing a voltage at the gate of the silicon device with a threshold voltage for turning on the silicon device to determine whether the silicon device is off, or comparing a voltage at the gate of the wide-bandgap device with a threshold voltage for turning on the wide-bandgap device to determine whether the wide-bandgap device is off.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein generating the feedback signal comprises comparing the voltage output of the silicon device with ground to determine whether the silicon device is on, or comparing the voltage output of the wide-bandgap device to determine whether the wide-bandgap device is on.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising programming the one or more switches according to the ratio of the silicon device to the wide bandgap device within the hybrid power switching circuit system.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling the timing of switching the wide bandgap device and the silicon device on and off based on the positioning of the one or more switches and further based on the received signal for switching the hybrid power switching circuit system on or off.

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