Method for statically clamping gates in a multiple output gate driver system - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a multi-output gate driver system.SOLUTION: A multi-output gate driver system 100 comprises: a power device 108 having a gate node; a first driver 104 having an input end and an output end coupled to the gate node; a second driver 102 having an input end, and an output end coupled to the gate node; a first comparator CP1 having a first input end coupled to the output end of the second driver, a second input end coupled to a first reference voltage, and an output end; a second comparator CP2 having a first input end coupled to the output end of the second driver, a second input end coupled to a second reference voltage, and an output end; and a logic circuit 106 having an input end for receiving a control signal, a first output end coupled to the input end of the first driver, and a second output end coupled to the input end of the second driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a system and method for statically clamping gates in a multi-output gate driver system. [Background technology]

[0002] A gate driver is a power amplifier and may also include additional circuitry, such as a level shifter. A gate driver receives a low-power input signal from an associated controller IC and forms a high-current drive input signal for the gate of a high-power transistor, such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor ("IGBT") or a power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor ("MOSFET"). Typically, a single output of the gate driver is used to drive a single gate node of the power transistor. Sometimes, two outputs are used to drive a high-side power transistor and a low-side power transistor. A gate driver may have one or more dedicated outputs to provide a clamping function. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The multiple-output gate driver system includes a power device having a gate node, a first driver having an input and an output coupled to the gate node, a second driver having an input and an output coupled to the gate node, a first comparator having a first input coupled to the output of the second driver, a second input and an output coupled to a first reference voltage, a second comparator having a first input coupled to the output of the second driver, a second input and an output coupled to the second reference voltage, and a logic circuit having an input for receiving a control signal, a first output coupled to the input of the first driver, and a second output coupled to the input of the second driver.

[0004] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference should now be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a multi-output gate driver system including voltage comparators associated with ON-state and OFF-state operating conditions, as well as alternative configurations of gate resistors used in the gate driver system. [Figure 1B] 1B is a logic table associated with the multi-output gate driver system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a multiple output gate driver system in which the second output is used for clamping only. [Figure 2B] 2B is a logic table associated with the multi-output gate driver system of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a multi-output gate driver system in which a second output is used for source and clamp during the OFF state. [Figure 3B] 3B is a logic table associated with the multi-output gate driver system of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram associated with the multiple-output gate driver system shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph of the change in collector voltage versus time (dv / dt) of a power device as a function of collector current at turn-on and turn-off operating conditions for specified values ​​of gate resistance of the power device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a multi-output gate driver system that includes a multi-output gate driver integrated circuit (IC) having two outputs each capable of sinking and sourcing current. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a multiple-output gate driver system similar to that shown in FIG. 6, but including a series diode to cause deactivation of the second output during a turn-off condition. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a control scheme used in a multi-output gate driver IC for driving power devices with defined dv / dt targets, according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] 7 is a logic table associated with the multi-output gate driver system of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a time diagram corresponding to the table shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multiple output gate driver system in which a second output of a gate driver IC can be switched with a preset or programmable delay amount or can be switched counter to the first output depending on a logic condition applied to the input. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-output gate driver system in which the second output of the gate driver IC is operable with a comparator for detection of the voltage level of the gate of the power device. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-output gate driver system showing three or more drivers, each with a single output. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-output gate driver system showing three or more drivers, each with separate sink and source outputs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] According to an embodiment, a gate driver can have two or more independent or non-independent controllable outputs that both apply a gate voltage to the driven power transistor in an operating mode. Each of the outputs can have a gate resistor that is used independently for turn-on and turn-off. Each output can be activated according to a dedicated load condition or temperature condition or other operating condition. The more outputs are activated (switched in parallel), the faster the driven power transistor (sometimes called a "switch" or "device") can be switched. As a result, the switching speed of the gate driver and the corresponding converter or inverter including the switch can also be increased. A good trade-off between switching losses and EMI or safe operating area can also be achieved.

[0007] In a dual output gate driver, when only one of the two outputs is operational, the other output can be kept in a high impedance state. However, the high impedance operation of the second output has two drawbacks for power transistors: 1. Power transistors are more susceptible to parasitic turn-on during dv / dt events in the OFF state; 2. The strength of the high side clamp in the ON state is relatively weak. has.

[0008] Thus, according to an embodiment of the multiple output gate driver system, the second output supports both an OFF state clamping to a negative gate voltage and an ON state clamping to a positive gate voltage. Clamping refers to the activation of an associated driver stage, circuit, or output FET(s). Clamping high refers to the activation of a source stage of an associated driver. Clamping low refers to the activation of a sink stage of an associated driver.

[0009] The multi-output gate driver system replicates the state of the first output to the second output as soon as the gate voltage of the first output reaches a level at which the current and voltage switching transients of the driven transistor have passed. This function can be implemented, for example, by a voltage comparator, described in more detail below, that monitors the instantaneous gate voltage. If the gate voltage of the power transistor is lower than the gate-emitter or gate-source threshold of the power transistor, the gate can be clamped to a negative gate voltage. Similarly, if the gate voltage is close to the positive rail, the gate can be clamped to a positive rail voltage. However, the second output is inactive every time the gate voltage changes.

[0010] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a multi-output gate driver system 100 including a power device 108 having a gate node, a first driver 104 having an input and an output OUT1 coupled to the gate node, a second driver 102 having an input and an output OUT2 coupled to the gate node, a first comparator CP1 having a positive input coupled to the output of the second driver 102, a negative input and an output coupled to a first reference voltage VON, a second comparator CP2 having a negative input coupled to the output of the second driver 102, a positive input and an output coupled to a second reference voltage VOFF, and a logic circuit 106 having a first input for receiving a control signal for switching the power device on and off, a second input coupled to the output of the first comparator CP1 and the output of the second comparator CP2, a first output 112 coupled to an input of the first driver 104 and a second output 110 coupled to an input of the second driver 102. In FIG. 1A, the logic circuit 106 can be configured as hardware or software. At least two input signals are received by the logic circuit 106: an on-off signal that changes the state of the power device 108, and a signal related to the outputs of the comparators CP1, CP2. Depending on the logic function used by the logic circuit 106, an input bus with a width of "n" bits can be configured, for example depending on the number of outputs used. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, a 2-bit width of the input bus is available for two different input signals. The operation of the logic circuit 106 and the overall multi-output gate driver system 100 is described in detail below.

[0011] The gate driver circuit 116, including the gate drivers 102, 104, the comparators CP1, CP2, and the logic circuit 106, may be implemented as a single integrated circuit with other circuitry, such as a microprocessor, and other circuitry in one embodiment. In other embodiments, discrete elements or multiple integrated circuits or a combination thereof may be used.

[0012] In FIG. 1A, two gate resistors Rg1 and Rg2 are used. The gate resistor Rg1 is coupled between the output of the driver 104 and the gate node of the power device 108. The gate resistor Rg2 is coupled between the output of the driver 102 and the gate node of the power device 108. Separate resistive elements having the same or different values ​​can be used for the gate resistors Rg1 and Rg2. Note that an alternative parallel resistor circuit 114 can also be used to accommodate different operating modes. In the parallel resistor circuit 114, a diode D is shown in series with a first resistor Rgoff. The first resistor and the diode are arranged in parallel with a second resistor Rgon. The first resistor and the second resistor in the parallel resistor circuit 114 can have different values ​​in one embodiment. In that case, the parallel resistor circuit 114 has different values ​​when sinking or sourcing current from the gate of the power device 108. The diode D can be omitted if an embodiment is used that has separate terminals for the source current (connected to the resistor Rgon) and for the sink current (connected to the resistor Rgoff), such an embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0013] Filters at the input and / or output of each comparator CP1, CP2 are optional. Suitable filter arrangements are shown, for example, in Figures 13 and 14 and will be described in more detail below.

[0014] In operation, depending on the control settings, the second output OUT2 is used as the measurement input for the gate voltage. This is possible during a suitable time interval after the transient of OUT1, during which OUT2 is kept inactive (high impedance). In case of a turn-off transient, OUT2 is measured when the gate voltage exceeds the comparator threshold of CP2 (V OFF ) in the turn-on threshold case. In the turn-on threshold case, OUT2 is activated as soon as the gate voltage falls below the comparator threshold of CP1 (V ON) is exceeded. If the control is modified so that the two outputs (OUT1, OUT2) are switched together to obtain an overall lower gate resistance, then in principle no monitoring comparator is needed in the case of two driver stages. An alternative embodiment without the two comparators CP1, CP2 is detailed below. In this embodiment, the measurement can be made at the second output OUT2. If more than two driver stages are used in parallel, the measurement has to be made at the output that is actively switched together with the other output (not shown in FIG. 1A). Alternatively, a separate measurement pin can be used.

[0015] The resistance and voltage ranges of the multi-output gate driver system 100 shown in FIG. 1A can be varied to suit a particular application.

[0016] Figure 1B is a logic table corresponding to the circuit embodiment of Figure 1A, including 12 logic states, in which the logic states of the individual IN, INF, OUT1, and OUT2 are defined. Additionally, the output impedance and operating states of the circuit embodiment of Figure 1A are also shown.

[0017] 1B, 2B and 3B, an asterisk in the logic table refers to any logic state; alternatively, output OUT2 may remain in HiZ (high impedance state).

[0018] With respect to the clamp function, the OUT2 output does not reach the ON or OFF state until the voltage at OUT2 reaches a level close to the voltage at OUT1.

[0019] 2A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a multi-output gate driver system 200 in which the second output OUT2 is used only as a gate clamp. In the gate driver system 200, the second output OUT2 is activated only when the first output OUT1 reaches a steady state in either an ON state or an OFF state. Therefore, a second gate resistor is not required in the gate driver system 200. Otherwise, all of the numbered elements shown in FIG. 2A are described above.

[0020] Figure 2B is a logic table corresponding to the circuit embodiment of Figure 2A, including 12 logic states, in which the logic states of the individual IN, INF, OUT1, and OUT2 are defined. Additionally, the output impedance and operating states for the circuit embodiment of Figure 2A are also shown.

[0021] 3A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a multiple output gate driver system 300 in which a second output OUT2 can be used to source gate current through resistor Rg2 in parallel with OUT1. Additionally, the second output OUT2 can be used as an active Miller clamp pin during the OFF state. Of course, the performance of the active Miller clamp may be reduced by any diode in parallel with Rg2. A diode is shown in parallel with resistor Rg2 of the gate driver system 300. Otherwise, all of the numbered elements shown in FIG. 3A are described above.

[0022] Figure 3B is a logic table corresponding to the circuit embodiment of Figure 3A, including 12 logic states, in which the logic states of the individual IN, INF, OUT1, and OUT2 are defined. Additionally, the output impedance and operating states (and associated control settings) for the circuit embodiment of Figure 3A are also shown.

[0023] A possible timing diagram 400 shown in Figure 4 is obtained by the embodiment of Figures 1A to 3A using two comparators monitoring the gate voltage, where a full timing diagram 404 and expanded timing diagrams 402, 406 further show the details of the operation of the comparators and any safety time delays. Either one comparator or the other will detect when the gate voltage has reached its respective threshold voltage (period t TDON or t TDOFF After detecting the safety delay t dclampH or T dclampL is completed before any comparator decision is sent to the logic circuitry that determines the activation of the second output OUT2.

[0024] The time diagram 404 shows the complete switching sequence when both outputs (OUT1, OUT2) are in the OFF state, when only the first output OUT1 is in the ON state, when both outputs (OUT1, OUT2) are in the ON state, when only the first output OUT1 is in the OFF state and then when both outputs (OUT1, OUT2) are in the OFF state again. In the example of the time diagram 404, it is assumed that the control settings determine the sequence. The control settings determine which transitions of OUT1, OUT2 should be made depending on or independent of the decision of the comparators.

[0025] Timing diagram 406 further details the turn-on sequence with the waveforms of OUT1, OUT2, and the output signal from comparator CP1 (OUT_CP1 and an optionally delayed OUT_CP1_DEL). ON represents the difference between the final gate voltage during the ON state and the trigger threshold of comparator CP1.

[0026] Timing diagram 402 further details the turn-off sequence, including the waveforms of OUT1, OUT2, and the output signal from comparator CP1 (OUT_CP1 and an optionally delayed version of OUT_CP1_DEL). OFF represents the difference between the final gate voltage during the OFF state and the trigger threshold of comparator CP2. Alternatively, the difference voltage V OFFcan also represent the difference between ground (0V) and the trigger threshold of comparator CP2.

[0027] Depending on system-related conditions, the second output OUT2 can be switched by or against OUT1 depending on a comparator and any additional delays, resulting in a different time diagram than the example time diagram 400 shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] In summary, the embodiments of the multi-output gate driver system shown in Figures 1 to 3 provide improved OFF-state and ON-state clamping of the gate voltage of the power devices, thus supporting tighter gate control and reducing susceptibility to parasitic effects. Thus, all inactive outputs (one in dual-output embodiments, or more in multi-output embodiments) can be used for gate clamping to the positive rail (ON state) or the negative rail (OFF state).

[0029] With a given gate driving resistance Rg, the rate of change of the drain / collector voltage of a power transistor, particularly an IGBT, behaves in an opposite manner with increasing collector current depending on whether the power transistor is turned on or off. During turn-on, the drain / collector dv / dt decreases with increasing collector current, and during turn-off, the drain / collector dv / dt increases with increasing collector current as shown in FIG. 5, which will be described in more detail below. For example, graph 500 shows the dv / dt of the collector voltage during turn-on mode 502 and the dv / dt of the collector voltage during turn-off mode 504. Note that the dv / dt is shown in both high dv / dt and low dv / dt operating modes.

[0030] This switching behavior allows for very high drain / collector dv / dt values ​​in the respective application, especially in drive systems with defined maximum allowable drain / collector dv / dt. According to one embodiment, a gate drive circuit is used with two independent outputs, both of which operate in parallel at high collector current as shown in Figure 6, which will be described in more detail later, where at light loads only one driver output is used and the other output is kept in tri-state.

[0031] To achieve a more constant drain / collector dv / dt, a lower gate resistance Rg is used to selectively increase the drain / collector dv / dt during turn-on at increasing load current, while a lower gate resistance Rg is used to selectively increase the drain / collector dv / dt during turn-off at decreasing load current.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram 600 of a multi-output gate driver system 600 including a power device 108 having a gate node, a first driver 104 having an input and an output OUT1 coupled to the gate node, a second driver 102 having an input and an output OUT2 coupled to the gate node, and a logic circuit 106 having an input for receiving a control signal (on-off), a first output 112 coupled to the input of the first driver 104 and a second output 110 coupled to the input of the second driver 102.

[0033] Gate resistance at high drain / collector currents Rgf * <Rg ここでRgf * =Rg||Rgf By setting R g , the drain / collector dv / dt can be set very close to that achieved with gate resistor R g at low drain / collector currents while maintaining low switching losses throughout the load range while still maintaining dv / dt levels for EMI.

[0034] This means that the effective gate resistance is Rgf * =Rg||Rgf However, a lower effective gate resistance for both turn-on and turn-off of the power transistor 108 cannot always be set unless by enabling the output OUT2 for high drain / collector currents. In particular, at turn-off, activation of the second gate drive channel OUT2 at high collector currents results in a rather higher and therefore undesirable drain / collector dv / dt. At high load currents, a lower gate resistance is beneficial to increase the maximum dv / dt at the drain / collector only during turn-on of the power transistor 108.

[0035] Therefore, a control strategy in which the second output OUT2 is activated during high collector current operation for both the turn-on and turn-off phases cannot be effectively used.

[0036] To obtain maximum benefit in limiting drain / collector dv / dt, embodiments separate and antagonistically operate the turn-on and turn-off phases to provide lower gate resistance at turn-on and higher gate resistance at turn-off. Low dv / dt and high dv / dt modes of operation are introduced, which are described in further detail below, e.g., in conjunction with FIG. 8.

[0037] 7 shows a schematic diagram 700 of an alternative embodiment of a multiple output gate driver system in which a diode D is connected in series with a second gate resistor Rgf. The embodiment is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 except for the addition of the diode D. All other elements shown in FIG. 7 have already been identified and described above with reference to FIG. 6.

[0038] Thus, deactivation of the sink function of the second output OUT2 during high drain / collector current operation can be achieved by adding a series diode D to the gate resistor Rgf as shown in Figure 7. The inclusion of the diode D prevents current flow to the terminal OUT2 during turn-off but allows current flow during turn-on.

[0039] In a further embodiment, each driver 102, 104 is independently controllable, although complete independent control makes the overall system solution more complicated.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the control scheme at the gate driver IC itself for the outputs OUT1, OUT2 is based on the input control signal. The control scheme to maintain a constant dv / dt follows the rules shown in graph 800 of FIG. 8. During a first turn-on mode 802, only one gate resistor and driver are desired. During a second turn-on mode 804, both gate resistors and drivers are desired. Conversely, during a first turn-off mode 806, both gate resistors and drivers are desired. During a second turn-off mode 808, only one gate resistor and driver are desired.

[0041] The technical configuration for logic circuit 106 is a simple logic circuit that activates outputs OUT1 and / or OUT2 based on two control signals (IN, INF). Logic circuit 106 can be configured by hardware logic gates or as software as desired. An example of a logic table showing the relationship between inputs and outputs of logic circuit 106 is shown in table 900 of FIG. 9. Additionally, output impedances and operating states for the circuit embodiment of FIG. 6 are also shown.

[0042] During the first logic state, both the IN and INF inputs are low, and the outputs OUT1 and OUT2 are low. Note that an asterisk indicates any logic state for the OUT2 output, which may remain in HiZ (high impedance state) if desired. The any logic state for OUT2 belongs to logic states 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 shown in table 900. The output impedance of OUT1 and OUT2 is OFF.

[0043] During the second logic state, the IN input transitions from low to high, the INF input is low, OUT1 transitions from low to high, and the OUT2 output transitions from low to HiZ. The output impedance of OUT1 is Rg and the output impedance of OUT2 is HiZ.

[0044] During the third logic state, the IN input is low, the INF input transitions from low to high, and the outputs OUT1 and OUT2 return to a logic low state. The output impedance of OUT1, OUT2 is OFF.

[0045] During the fourth logic state, the IN input is high and the INF input is low. Outputs OUT1 and OUT2 are both high, although OUT2 may remain in a high impedance state as noted above. The output impedance of OUT1, OUT2 is ON.

[0046] During the fifth logic state, the IN input transitions from logic high to logic low and the INF input is low. Outputs OUT1 and OUT2 both transition from logic high to logic low. The output impedance of OUT1, OUT2 is the parallel combination of Rg and Rgf.

[0047] During the sixth logic state, the IN input is high and the INF input transitions from a logic low to a logic high. Outputs OUT1 and OUT2 are both high. The output impedance of OUT1, OUT2 is ON.

[0048] During the seventh logic state, the IN input is low and the INF input is high. The OUT1 output is low and the OUT2 output is low or in a high impedance state. The output impedance of OUT1 and OUT2 is OFF. The output impedance of OUT1 and OUT2 is OFF.

[0049] During the eighth logic state, the IN input is low, the INF input transitions from a logic high to a logic low, the OUT1 output is low, the OUT2 output is low or in a high impedance state, and the output impedance of OUT1 and OUT2 is OFF.

[0050] During the ninth logic state, the IN input transitions from a logic low to a logic high and the INF input is high. The outputs OUT1 and OUT2 both transition from a logic low to a logic high. The output impedance of OUT1 and OUT2 is a combination of Rg and Rgf.

[0051] During the tenth logic state, all inputs and all outputs are logic high. Alternatively, the OUT2 output may be maintained in a high impedance state. The output impedances of OUT1 and OUT2 are ON.

[0052] During the eleventh logic state, the IN input is high and the INF input transitions from logic high to logic low. Both outputs OUT1, OUT2 are logic high. Alternatively, the OUT2 output can be kept in a high impedance state. The output impedance of OUT1, OUT2 is ON.

[0053] During the twelfth logic state, the IN input transitions from a logic high to a logic low and the INF input is logic high. The OUT1 output transitions from a logic high to a logic low and the OUT2 output transitions from a logic high to a high impedance state. The output impedance of OUT1 is OFF and the output impedance of OUT2 is in a high impedance state.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a time diagram 1000 corresponding to Table 1 shown in FIG. 9. The individual signal waveforms corresponding to the IN, INF, OUT1 and OUT2 nodes are shown. The rising edge of the IN waveform occurs at time 1002, and the rising edge of the INF waveform has fully switched at time 1004. The falling edge of the IN waveform occurs at time 1006, and the falling edge of the OUT2 waveform has fully switched at time 1008. Over a time interval t DTON and t DTOFF During that time interval, output OUT2 is kept in tri-state (HiZ or high impedance state). During that time interval, the voltage at OUT2 tracks the voltage at the gate of the power switch driven by output OUT1. When OUT2 switches according to OUT1, the rising or falling edges are formed more quickly. This switching behavior results in the "sloping" characteristic of the OUT2 waveform shown in Figure 10.

[0055] As shown in Figure 11, the time delay t DTON and t DTOFF may be preset or programmable in a logic circuit, or may depend on a particular voltage level reached at the gate of the power switch, which may be detected by a threshold comparator, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 or 12.

[0056] For example, Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram 1100 of an alternative embodiment of a multiple output gate driver system that includes a delay / timer circuit 118 having first and second inputs coupled to the logic circuit 106 and an output coupled to the second driver 102. Otherwise, what is shown generally in Figure 11 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 6 and described above.

[0057] 12 shows, as another example, a schematic diagram 1200 of an alternative embodiment of a multiple output gate driver system including a first comparator CP1 and a second comparator CP2 each including an input filter and / or an output filter. The positive input of the comparator CP1 is coupled to the output of the first driver 104, and the negative input of the comparator CP1 is coupled to a threshold voltage V ON The negative input of comparator CP2 is coupled to the output of first driver 104 via a threshold voltage V OFF and the output of comparator CP2 is coupled to an input of logic circuit 106. Otherwise, what is shown generally in Figure 12 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 6 and described above.

[0058] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a multi-output gate driver system 1300 in which more than two drivers are specified. For example, drivers 1304, 1302A, 1302B, 1302C are coupled to gate resistors Rg1, Rg2, Rgn-1, Rgn via outputs OUT1, OUT2, OUTn-1, OUTn, respectively. The gate resistors are further coupled to the gate node of a power device 1308. A selection circuit 1312 selects one of the driver outputs coupled to the inputs of comparators CP1, CP2 under the control of a logic circuit 1306. The outputs of comparators CP1, CP2 are coupled to the inputs of the logic circuit 1306 via a low pass filter 1305. The logic circuit 1306 receives an “n” bit on-off signal. The operation of the multi-output gate driver system 1300 is similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, except for the operation of the selection circuit and the explicit presence of more than two drivers.

[0059] 14 shows another embodiment of a multi-output gate driver system 1400 in which more than two drivers are specified. For example, drivers 1404, 1402A, 1402B, and 1402C are coupled to gate resistors Rgоn1, Rgоff1, Rgоn2, Rgоff2, Rgоn_n-1, Rgоff_n-1, Rgоn_n, and Rgоff_n via outputs OUT_ON1, OUT_OFF1, OUT_ON2, OUT_OFF2, OUT_ONn-1, OUT_OFFn-1, OUT_ONn, and OUT_OFFn, respectively. The gate resistors are further coupled to the gate nodes of the power devices 1408. A selection circuit 1412 selects one of the driver outputs coupled to the inputs of the comparators CP1 and CP2 under the control of the logic circuit 1406. The outputs of the comparators CP1 and CP2 are coupled through a low pass filter 1405 to the inputs of a logic circuit 1406. The logic circuit 1406 receives an "n" bit on-off signal. The operation of the multi-output gate driver system 1400 is similar to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, except for the operation of the selection circuit 1412 and the explicit presence of more than two drivers.

[0060] While the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrated and other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. A multi-output gate driver system, comprising: a power device having a gate node; a first driver having an input and an output coupled to the gate node via a first current path including a first gate resistor for actively switching on and off the power device; a second driver having an input and an output coupled to the gate node via a second current path separate from the first current path, the second driver configured to operate in one of an on state, an off state, and a high impedance state; a first comparator having a first input coupled to the output of the second driver, a second input coupled to a first reference voltage corresponding to a gate node voltage when a switch-on transient of the power device has passed, and an output; a second comparator having a first input coupled to the output of the second driver, a second input coupled to a second reference voltage corresponding to a gate node voltage when a switch-off transient of the power device has passed, and an output; a logic circuit having a first input for receiving a control signal for switching the power device on and off, a second input coupled to the output of the first comparator and the output of the second comparator, a first output coupled to the input of the first driver, and a second output coupled to the input of the second driver; a second gate resistor coupled between the output of the second driver and the gate node of the power device, the second gate resistor having the same value as the first gate resistor; Including, a signal at the second input of the logic circuit indicating whether the output of the second driver has reached or exceeded the first reference voltage or whether the output of the second driver has reached or fallen below the second reference voltage; the output of the second driver is configured to be clamped to either a positive voltage rail or a negative voltage rail accordingly in response to a signal at the second output of the logic circuit; the logic circuit is configured to operate the second driver in a high impedance state only during switch-on and switch-off transients of the power device. Multi-output gate driver system.

2. the second driver is configured to be clamped during both a turn-on mode and a turn-off mode of operation.

2. The multi-output gate driver system of claim 1.

3. the second driver is configured to be clamped during a turn-on mode of operation and to actively switch during a turn-off mode of operation.

2. The multi-output gate driver system of claim 1.

4. the second driver is configured to be clamped during a turn-off mode of operation and to actively switch during a turn-on mode of operation.

2. The multi-output gate driver system of claim 1.

5. the second driver is configured to be clamped or to actively switch in response to an additional control signal received by the logic circuit; 2. The multi-output gate driver system of claim 1.

6. the first comparator and the second comparator include at least one of an input filter or an output filter; 2. The multi-output gate driver system of claim 1.

7. the first gate resistor is coupled between the output of the first driver and the gate node of the power device.

2. The multi-output gate driver system of claim 1.

8. 1. A method of operating a multi-output gate driver system including a first gate driver and a second gate driver, an output of the first gate driver coupled to a gate node of a power device via a first current path including a first gate resistor, and an output of the second driver coupled to the gate node via a second current path separate from the first current path, the second driver configured to operate in one of an active state, an inactive state, and a high impedance state, the method comprising: turning on the power device by an output of the first gate driver while operating the second driver in a high impedance state; measuring a voltage at an output of the second gate driver to determine whether the voltage at the output of the second gate driver is greater than a first reference voltage, the first reference voltage corresponding to a gate node voltage when a switch-on transient of the power device has passed; clamping the voltage at an output of the second gate driver to a first clamp voltage in a first mode of operation; turning off the power device by an output of the first gate driver while operating the second driver in a high impedance state; measuring a voltage at an output of the second gate driver to determine whether the voltage at the output of the second gate driver is less than a second reference voltage, the second reference voltage corresponding to a gate node voltage when a switch-off transient of the power device has passed; clamping the voltage at the output of the second gate driver to a second clamp voltage in a second mode of operation; coupling a second gate resistor between the second gate driver and the power device, the second gate resistor having the same value as the first gate resistor; Including, the second driver operates in a high impedance state only during the steps of turning on the power device and turning off the power device. method.

9. the second gate driver is delayed relative to the first gate driver in the first mode of operation. The method of claim 8.

10. the second gate driver is delayed relative to the first gate driver in the second mode of operation. The method of claim 8.

11. The method further includes measuring the output of the second gate driver with a first comparator and a second comparator in the first mode of operation. The method of claim 8.

12. The method further includes measuring the output of the second gate driver with a first comparator and a second comparator in the second operating mode. The method of claim 8.

13. The method further includes coupling the first gate resistor between the first gate driver and the power device. The method of claim 8.

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