Power controller circuit with optimized power losses

Abstract

A power controller circuit has a plurality of switching elements (1, 2) that each have a first and a second load terminal (3, 4) and a control terminal (7). The first load terminals (3) are connected to one another. The second load terminals (4) are also connected to one another. The control terminals (7) are connected to an output (10), which is common for the control terminals (7), of a driver circuit (11) by way of a respective connecting line (9). A switch (12, 12', 12") is arranged in at least one of the connecting lines (9) such that a control signal (C) output by the driver circuit (11) via the output (10) is or is not delivered to the corresponding control terminal (7) depending on whether the respective switch (12, 12', 12") is in an on state or in an off state. The power controller circuit has a control circuit (13) that generates a respective additional signal (Z, Z', Z") that is delivered to the respective switch (12, 12', 12") and, based thereon, the respective switch (12, 12', 12") is changed to the on state or to the off state. The respective switch (12, 12', 12") is changed from the on state to the off state only when the switching elements (1, 2) are in an off state owing to the control signal (C) output by the driver circuit (11).

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