Electronic device comprising protection circuit for transistor in rectification circuit configured to rectify alternating current signal

Abstract

This electronic device includes a port configured to receive an alternating current signal. The electronic device includes a capacitor. The electronic device includes a transistor configured to control an electrical connection between the port and the capacitor. The electronic device includes a control circuit connected to a gate electrode of the transistor. The electronic device includes a switching circuit which is connected to a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit and configured to connect the signal path to a ground node. The control circuit is configured to control the switching circuit to transmit a control signal, to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode via the signal path, to the ground node on the basis of the voltage of the alternating current signal received via the port.

Description

An electronic device comprising a protection circuit for a transistor within a rectifier circuit configured to rectify an AC signal.

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device comprising a protection circuit for a transistor in a rectifier circuit configured to rectify an alternating current signal.

[0002] An electronic device may receive power signals from infrastructure for providing power, referred to as a power distribution system. Upon receiving the power signals, the electronic device may execute various functions based on the design of the electronic device based on said power signals. The power signals received by the electronic device are alternating current signals. The complexity of the power distribution system or the influx of unintended power into the power distribution system, such as lightning strikes, may cause noise (e.g., sudden changes in voltage and / or current) in the power signals received by the electronic device.

[0003] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] According to one embodiment, an electronic device may include a port configured to receive an alternating current signal. The electronic device may include a capacitor. The electronic device may include a transistor configured to control an electrical connection between the port and the capacitor. The electronic device may include a control circuit connected to the gate electrode of the transistor. The electronic device may include a switching circuit connected to a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit and configured to connect the signal path to a ground node. The control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode through the signal path to the ground node, based on the voltage of the alternating current signal received through the port.

[0005] In one embodiment, a power circuit may be provided. The power circuit may include a port configured to receive an alternating current signal. The power circuit may include a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the alternating current signal. The power circuit may include a capacitor configured to be charged by the alternating current signal rectified by the rectifier circuit. The rectifier circuit may include a diode comprising an anode connected to the port and a cathode connected to the capacitor. The rectifier circuit may include a transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the anode and a source electrode connected to a ground node. The rectifier circuit may include a control circuit configured to transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of the transistor based on the voltage of the drain electrode. The rectifier circuit may include a switching circuit connected to a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit, configured to change the voltage of the gate electrode to the voltage of the ground node.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method for controlling a transistor of a rectifier circuit may be provided. The method may include an operation of identifying the voltage of an AC signal transmitted to the rectifier circuit. The method may include an operation of identifying the rate of change of the voltage. The method may include an operation of controlling the transistor based on a specified period for rectifying the AC signal, based on identifying the rate of change below a threshold rate of change. The method may include an operation of changing the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor to the voltage of the ground node, based on identifying the rate of change exceeding the threshold rate of change.

[0007] The aforementioned and other aspects, features, and advantages of some embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is discussed together with the accompanying drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic device according to various embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an electronic device according to various embodiments;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary control circuit for a transistor of a rectifier circuit according to various embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the relationship between noise of an AC signal and the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor according to various embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the exemplary operation of a control circuit related to the voltage of an AC signal according to various embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the exemplary operation of a control circuit based on noise of an AC signal according to various embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the exemplary operation of a control circuit related to the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor in a rectifier circuit according to various embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the exemplary operation of a control circuit based on the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor in a rectifier circuit according to various embodiments; and

[0016] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating a rectifier circuit connected to a control circuit according to various embodiments.

[0017] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] The various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technology described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutions. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar components. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present disclosure, expressions such as "A or B," "at least one of A and / or B," "A, B or C," or "at least one of A, B and / or C" may include all possible combinations of items listed together. Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" may modify the components, regardless of order or importance, and are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components. When it is mentioned that a certain (e.g., 1st) component is "(functionally or telecommunicationally) connected" or "connected" to another (e.g., 2nd) component, said certain component may be directly connected to said other component or connected through another component (e.g., 3rd component).

[0019] As used in this disclosure, the term "module" includes a unit composed of hardware and may be used interchangeably with terms such as, for example, component, and / or circuit. A module may be a component formed integrally, or a minimum unit or part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, a module may be composed of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic device (101) according to various embodiments. The electronic device (101) may be described as an electronic device capable of displaying images. For example, the electronic device (101) may include, but is not limited to, a TV (television), a monitor, a computer, a smartphone, a tablet PC (personal computer), a portable media player, a wearable device, a video wall, a digital photo frame, etc. The electronic device (101) may be referred to as a display device. For convenience of explanation, the device is described below assuming that the electronic device (101) is implemented as a TV, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0021] The electronic device (101) may be configured to operate by power provided from a power system (110) (e.g., alternating current (or alternating current, the terms “alternate current” and “alternating current” may be used interchangeably in this disclosure, including the appended claims), AC power signal, and / or alternating current signal). The power system (110) (or power distribution system) may be described as infrastructure constructed to provide power. The electronic device (101) may include a plug (120) (or port, power cord) configured to be connected to a power outlet (or outlet, socket, receptacle) located at one end of the power system (110). The plug (120) may be connected to a component of an electronic device (101) for power conversion (e.g., power conversion from an AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal (or DC power signal)) (e.g., an AC-DC adapter (or electric adapter) and / or a power circuit (170) which will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 1).

[0022] While the plug (120) is electrically connected to the power system (110), the electronic device (101) can perform a function to output video, sound, or a combination thereof (e.g., multimedia content) based on the power of the power system (110). When the electronic device (101) receives information representing video and / or sound, the electronic device (101) can perform the function using said information. The information representing video and / or sound may be stored in the electronic device (101) or received from an external electronic device (e.g., a set-top box (STB)) (130) connected to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include an antenna configured to receive said information wirelessly or may be electrically connected to said antenna.

[0023] While receiving power from the power system (110) through the plug (120), the electronic device (101) may be operated according to any one of a normal mode (or active mode, enabled mode) and a standby mode (or inactive mode, disabled mode, hibernate mode, sleep mode). The normal mode may be described as a mode that consumes power exceeding the power consumption of the standby mode (e.g., standby power) to output video. The modes of the electronic device (101) are not limited to the normal mode and the standby mode. In this disclosure, the term "mode" may be used interchangeably with the term "state." In the standby mode, the output of video and sound by the electronic device (101) may be substantially stopped or minimized. In standby mode, the electronic device (101) may output a message (e.g., "Press the power button") guiding input to switch to normal mode. The message may be output through the display and / or speaker of the electronic device (101). In normal mode, the electronic device (101) may output video (e.g., video different from the message) and / or sound. The electronic device (101) may switch between standby mode and normal mode, or toggle, based on user input.

[0024] The electronic device (101) may include hardware for receiving input for controlling the electronic device (101) (e.g., user input for switching between standby mode and normal mode). For example, the electronic device (101) may include a switch (or button) that is at least partially visible through the housing of the electronic device (101). For example, the electronic device (101) may include a touch sensor (e.g., a pressure-sensitive touch sensor and / or a capacitive touch sensor) for detecting touch input on at least a portion of the housing. User input may include a direct action by the user on the electronic device (101) (e.g., pressing a switch and / or button, or touching one side of the housing). The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and user input may be identified by an audio signal representing the user's speech received through a microphone. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and user input may include indirect actions of a user related to an electronic device (101) based on a remote controller (140).

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device (101) may be configured to receive a wireless signal (or optical signal) from a remote controller (140) based on infrared (IR). The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the remote controller (140) may be configured to transmit a wireless signal based on Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), NFC (near-field communication), UWB (ultra-wideband), WiFi (wireless fidelity), WiFi-direct, and / or other wireless short-range communication protocols. For example, the electronic device (101) may be configured to receive a wireless signal based on the illustrated wireless short-range communication protocol. In both standby mode and normal mode, the electronic device (101) may be configured to receive a wireless signal from the remote controller (140).

[0026] FIG. 1 includes an exploded perspective view illustrating electronic components included in an electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include a housing (150), a display panel (160), a power circuit (170), and a main circuitry (180). The housing (150) may include a rear cover (or back cover, back cover) of the electronic device (101). The housing (150) may include an object for supporting the electronic device (101) (e.g., support legs and / or VESA (video electronics standards association) mount holes). One side of the electronic device (101) where the housing (150) is visible may be described as the rear side (e.g., rear side) of the electronic device (101).

[0027] The other side of the electronic device (101), opposite to one side of the electronic device (101) where the housing (150) is visible, may be described as the front side (e.g., front side) of the electronic device (101). The display panel (160) may be visible from the front side of the electronic device (101). The display panel (160) may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), and a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs of the display panel (160) may include organic LEDs (OLEDs). In one embodiment, the display panel (160) may include electronic paper. If the display panel (160) has a flat shape, the display panel (160) may be referred to as a flat panel display (FPD). If the display panel (160) has a curved shape, the display panel (160) may be referred to as a curved display. If the display panel (160) has a deformable shape, the display panel (160) may be referred to as a bendable display, a flexible display, and / or a rollable display.

[0028] The main circuit (180) may be configured to execute the functions of the electronic device (101) described above (e.g., a function for outputting video, sound, or a combination thereof, a turn-on function, a turn-off function, a function for adjusting volume, a function for changing channels, and / or a function for controlling the execution of a software application (e.g., an OTT (over the top) application) installed on the electronic device (101). For example, the main circuit (180) may control the display panel (160) using information received from an external electronic device (130) (or an antenna of the electronic device (101)) to output audio, image, video, or any combination thereof that appears according to said information. For example, the main circuit (180) may be configured to control the display panel (160). The power circuit (170) may be configured to provide power to the main circuit (180). The power circuit (170) may be configured to convert an alternating current signal received from the power system (110) into a direct current (DC) signal for driving the main circuit (180). For example, the power circuit (170) may be configured to transmit a direct current signal to the main circuit (180).

[0029] The power consumption of the electronic device (101) may be the sum of the power consumption of the display panel (160), the main circuit (180), and the power circuit (170). To reduce power consumption, a method to improve the conversion efficiency of the power circuit (170) (e.g., the ratio between the power of an AC signal input to the power circuit (170) and the power of a DC signal output from the power circuit (170)) may be required. According to one embodiment, the power circuit (170) of the electronic device (101) may include a rectifier circuit configured to rectify an AC signal. To increase the conversion efficiency, the rectifier circuit may be designed to include a circuit element having a relatively small conduction loss. For example, the rectifier circuit may include one or more transistors (e.g., a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor, a metal-insulator-semiconductor FET, and / or a bipolar junction transistor) having less conduction loss than that of the diodes, instead of the diodes of the bridge structure. An exemplary structure of a power circuit (170) including the rectifier circuit is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0030] A rectifier circuit comprising one or more transistors may be connected to a control circuit for controlling said one or more transistors. Power for driving said control circuit may also be provided from a power system (110). The control circuit may transmit a control signal to the one or more transistors included in the rectifier circuit to control said one or more transistors. said control signal may be generated based on an alternating current signal transmitted to the control circuit, and / or may be transmitted.

[0031] The alternating current signal provided from the power system (110) contains noise. When the amplitude and / or frequency (or period) of the alternating current signal changes outside the range intended by the design of the power system (110), noise may be described as being included in the alternating current signal. Noise in the alternating current signal may be caused by abnormal operation and / or failure of the generator, transformer, and / or transmission line included in the power system (110). Noise in the alternating current signal may be caused by lightning (or other disaster) applied to the power system (110). Noise in the alternating current signal may be related to the demand for the power system (110) (e.g., electrical energy).

[0032] In one embodiment in which the rectifier circuit of the power circuit (170) comprises one or more transistors, the control signal transmitted to the one or more transistors may contain noise in the AC signal because the control signal is generated using an AC signal provided from the power system (110). Noise contained in the control signal may cause malfunction and / or damage to the one or more transistors. According to one embodiment, the power circuit (170) of the electronic device (101) may include a circuit for preventing and / or reducing malfunction and / or damage to the one or more transistors. For example, the power circuit (170) (or control circuit) may be configured to filter noise contained in the control signal and / or transmit it to other electronic components different from the one or more transistors. An exemplary circuit for preventing and / or reducing damage to the one or more transistors due to noise in the control signal is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 through 9.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an electronic device (101) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the power circuit (170) and main circuit (180) of the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 is shown.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, a main circuit (180) is illustrated as exemplary electronic components of an electronic device (101) connected to a power circuit (170). The main circuit (180) of FIG. 2 may correspond to the main circuit (180) of FIG. 1. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and other electronic components of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the display panel (160) of FIG. 1 and / or a driving circuit for driving the display panel (160)) may also be connected to the power circuit (170). The power circuit (170) may generate a DC signal required for driving the remaining electronic components from an AC signal provided from a power system (110). For example, the power circuit (170) may transmit a DC signal having a voltage (Vckt) required for driving the main circuit to the main circuit (180).

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the power circuit (170) may include an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter (210), a rectifier circuit (220), a power factor conversion circuit (230), and / or a DC-DC conversion circuit (240). Power contained in an alternating current signal received from the power system (110) may be sequentially propagated from the EMI filter (210) to the rectifier circuit (220), the power factor conversion circuit (230), and the DC-DC conversion circuit (240), or transmitted.

[0036] An EMI filter (210) may be placed between the power system (110) (or the plug (120) of FIG. 1) and the rectifier circuit (220). The EMI filter (210) may be configured to filter the alternating current signal to be transmitted to the rectifier circuit (220). The EMI filter (210) may be configured to reduce noise contained in the alternating current signal to be transmitted to the rectifier circuit (220) (e.g., noise caused by frequency components higher than the frequency of the alternating current signal intended by the power system (110)).

[0037] A rectifier circuit (220) may be configured to rectify an AC signal provided by a power system (110). Referring to FIG. 2, a rectifier circuit (220) connected to nodes (p+, p-) extending from an EMI filter (210) is shown. The potential difference between the nodes (p+, p-) may correspond to the voltage of the AC signal filtered by the EMI filter (210). The rectifier circuit (220) may be configured to rectify an AC signal using a transistor (222). The number of transistors (222) included in the rectifier circuit (220) may be one or more. A rectifier circuit (220) configured to rectify an AC signal based on a transistor (222) may be referred to as an active bridge rectifier circuit (or a bridgeless rectifier circuit). Because the potential difference between the anode and cathode of the diode is (generally) greater than the potential difference between the drain electrode and source electrode of the transistor (222), the loss of the rectifier circuit (220) containing the transistor (222) (e.g., loss due to current flowing through the transistor (222)) may be less than the loss of the rectifier circuit containing the diodes in the bridge structure (e.g., loss due to current flowing through the diodes). An exemplary structure of the rectifier circuit (220) containing various numbers of transistors is described with reference to FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 9. The rectifier circuit (220) may be configured to perform half-wave rectification or full-wave rectification for an AC signal.

[0038] The power factor conversion circuit (230) may be configured to output a DC signal from an AC signal rectified by the rectifier circuit (220). Between the rectifier circuit (220) and the power factor conversion circuit (230), a capacitor (231) configured to store the AC signal rectified by the rectifier circuit (220) (at least temporarily) may be disposed. The capacitor (231) may be charged by the rectifier circuit (220). When the capacitor (231) is charged by the rectified AC signal, the voltage between the two ends of the capacitor may be smoothed.

[0039] The power factor conversion circuit (230) can control the charging of the capacitor (232) using power charged by the capacitor (231). For example, the power factor conversion circuit (230) can control the charging of the capacitor (232) according to a threshold power factor (or a power factor greater than the threshold power factor) defined by the power system (110) (or law). For example, the power factor conversion circuit (230) can be configured to control the charging of the capacitor (232) based on the power factor of the AC signal. The power factor conversion circuit (230) can be configured to charge the capacitor (232) using power stored in the capacitor (231). Here, the power factor (PF) may refer to the ratio between the active power and the reactive power included in the apparent power of the electronic device (101) for the power system (110). The capacitors (231, 232) may include, for example, electrolytic capacitors, tantalum capacitors, ceramic capacitors, film capacitors, and / or the like, without limitation. The capacitors (231, 232) may be referred to as bulk capacitors and / or supercapacitors in terms of storing power for driving the electronic device (101).

[0040] The DC-DC conversion circuit (240) may be configured to generate a DC signal to be transmitted to the remaining electronic components (e.g., main circuit (180)) different from the power circuit (170), using electrical energy output from the power factor conversion circuit (230) or stored in the capacitor (232). For example, the DC-DC conversion circuit (240) may be configured to generate a DC signal based on the power charged in the capacitor (232). The electronic device (101) may include an electronic component configured to receive the DC signal of the DC-DC conversion circuit (240).

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment is illustrated in which a DC signal having a voltage (Vckt) is transmitted from a DC-DC conversion circuit (240) to a main circuit (180). An optical coupler (290) may be placed between the main circuit (180) and the power circuit (170). The optical coupler (290) may be configured to transmit information (e.g., power consumption of the main circuit (180)) from the main circuit (180) to the power circuit (170) for controlling the power factor and / or driving of the power circuit (170) while maintaining electrical isolation between the main circuit (180) and the power circuit (170).

[0042] An embodiment is illustrated in which the main circuit (180) and the DC-DC conversion circuit (240) are connected to the power factor conversion circuit (230) and / or the capacitor (232), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel (160) of FIG. 1 (or another DC-DC conversion circuit configured to provide a power signal to the display panel (160)) may be connected to the power factor conversion circuit (230) and / or the capacitor (232). For example, the DC-DC conversion circuit (240) and another DC-DC conversion circuit may be connected in parallel with respect to the capacitor (232).

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, the power circuit (170) may include a control circuit (250) for controlling the transistor (222). The control circuit (250) may be configured to generate a control signal to be transmitted to the transistor (222) using an AC signal. For example, the control circuit (250) may transmit a control signal to the transistor (222) to at least temporarily activate an electrical connection by the transistor (222) in order to perform full-wave rectification by the rectifier circuit (220). The control circuit (250) may be configured to detect a voltage applied to the rectifier circuit (220) (e.g., a voltage of at least one of the nodes (p+, p-)).

[0044] In one embodiment, a control circuit (250) that generates a control signal to be transmitted to a transistor (222) may be configured to operate based on the voltage of an alternating current signal applied to nodes (p+, p-). If the alternating current signal contains noise, the control signal transmitted from the control circuit (250) to the transistor (222) may also contain noise. According to one embodiment, the control circuit (250) may include a switching circuit to prevent and / or reduce malfunction of the transistor (222) (e.g., malfunction due to parasitic capacitors of the transistor (222)) when receiving an unstable alternating current signal (e.g., an alternating current signal containing noise). The control circuit (250) and the switching circuit may be referred to as a protection circuit (e.g., a protection circuit for the rectifier circuit (220).

[0045] Below, with reference to FIG. 3, an exemplary structure of a control circuit (250) and a switching circuit is described as a protection circuit for a transistor (222).

[0046] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary control circuit (250) for a transistor of a rectifier circuit (220-1) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary circuit diagram of a control circuit (250) and a switching circuit (310) connected to a rectifier circuit (220-1), which is an example of the rectifier circuit (220) of FIG. 2, is shown. The electronic device (101) and / or power circuit (170) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2 may include the rectifier circuit (220-1), the control circuit (250), and the switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, at least a portion of a power circuit (e.g., power circuit (170) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2) is shown, which includes a rectifier circuit (220-1) comprising two transistors (222-1, 222-2) as an example of the transistor (222) of FIG. 2. An AC signal of the power system (110) may be applied to the nodes (p+, p-) of the rectifier circuit (220-1). Node (p+) may be referred to as a live node, and node (p-) may be referred to as a neutral node. The nodes (p+, p-) of FIG. 3 may correspond to the nodes (p+, p-) of FIG. 2, respectively. A port including the nodes (p+, p-) may be connected to the EMI filter (210) of FIG. 2 and / or the plug (120) of FIG. 1. Through the above port, a power circuit (e.g., the power circuit (170) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2) may be configured to receive an alternating current signal. A transistor (222) configured to control the transmission of the alternating current signal may be disposed on a power path extending from the port (or nodes (p+, p-) included in the port). Referring to FIG. 3, transistors (222-1, 222-2) disposed on power paths extending from each of the nodes (p+, p-) are shown as examples of the transistor (222).

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, transistors (222-1, 222-2) that are N-channel MOSFETs are illustrated as an example of a transistor included in a rectifier circuit (220-1). The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and transistors (222-1, 222-2) may be P-channel MOSFETs. The source electrode of transistor (222) may be grounded. For example, the source electrodes (s1, s2) of transistors (222-1, 222-2) may be connected to a ground node. The drain electrode of transistor (222) may be connected to either of the nodes (p+, p-) of the port to which an AC signal is applied. For example, the drain electrode (d1) of transistor (222-1) may be connected to node (p+), and the drain electrode (d2) of transistor (222-2) may be connected to node (p-). The electrical connection between the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor (222) can be established or blocked depending on the voltage of the control signal applied to the gate electrode.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, the rectifier circuit (220-1) may include a diode (224) comprising an anode connected to a node (p+) and a cathode connected to one end of a capacitor (231). The rectifier circuit (220-1) may include a diode (225) comprising an anode connected to a node (p-) and a cathode connected to one end of a capacitor (231). The capacitor (231) of FIG. 3 may correspond to the capacitor (231) of FIG. 2.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, a signal path for transmitting a control signal may be established between the gate electrode of a transistor (222) and a control circuit (250). The gate electrode of the transistor (222) may be connected to the signal path. Referring to FIG. 3, a control circuit (250) for controlling two transistors (222-1, 222-2) may include two signal paths connected to the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2), respectively. In the present disclosure, the signal path of the transistor (222-1) may refer to a signal path formed between the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) and the control circuit (250) for controlling the transistor (222-1). In the present disclosure, the signal path of the transistor (222-2) may refer to a signal path formed between the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) and the control circuit (250) for controlling the transistor (222-2).

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, the control circuit (250) may include a circuit for activating (e.g., turning on) or deactivating (e.g., turning off) the transistor (222) using an AC signal. For example, the control circuit (250) may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) (320). At least a portion of the control circuit (250) including the MCU (320) may be designed or manufactured as an integrated circuit (IC) and / or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In this disclosure, the MCU (320) may be referred to as a controller or a processor. The control circuit (250) configured to control the transistor (222) may generate a control signal to be transmitted to the gate electrode of the transistor (222) based on the voltage of the AC signal (e.g., at least one of the voltages of the nodes (p+, p-).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, nine nodes (dp+, dp-, p+, p-, Q1, Q2, SQ1, SQ2, F) included in the MCU (320) of the control circuit (250) are shown. The number of nodes included in the MCU (320) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3. A node (p+) of the MCU (320) can be connected to a node (p+) of the rectifier circuit (220-1). A node (p-) of the MCU (320) can be connected to a node (p-) of the rectifier circuit (220-1). The control circuit (250) may include a capacitor (331) having one end connected to the node (p+) of the rectifier circuit (220-1) (or the anode of the diode (224) or the drain electrode (d1) of the transistor (222-1)) and the other end connected to the node (dp+) of the MCU (320). The control circuit (250) may include a capacitor (332) having one end connected to the node (p-) of the rectifier circuit (220-1) (or the anode of the diode (225) or the drain electrode (d2) of the transistor (222-2)) and the other end connected to the node (dp-) of the MCU (320). A portion (330) of the control circuit (250) including the capacitors (331, 332) may be a circuit configured to measure the rates of change of the voltages of each of the nodes (p+, p-).

[0053] The control circuit (250) may include an amplifier (351) comprising an output node (or output terminal) connected to the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) and an input node (or input terminal) connected to the node (Q1) of the MCU (320). The control circuit (250) may include an amplifier (352) comprising an output node (or output terminal) connected to the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) and an input node (or input terminal) connected to the node (Q2) of the MCU (320). The control circuit (250) may include a diode (341) comprising an anode connected to the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) (or a node (312) on the signal path of the transistor (222-1)) and a cathode connected to the node (SQ1) of the MCU (320). The control circuit (250) may include a diode (342) comprising an anode connected to the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) (or a node (311) on the signal path of the transistor (222-2)) and a cathode connected to a node (SQ2) of the MCU (320). A portion (340) of the control circuit (250) including the diodes (341, 342) may be a circuit configured to measure the voltages of each of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2).

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, a switching circuit (310) configured to control the voltages of each of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of transistors (222-1, 222-2) is shown. The switching circuit (310) may be connected to or included in the control circuit (250). The switching circuit (310) may include a diode (314) having an anode connected to the gate electrode (g1) of transistor (222-1) (or a node (312) on the signal path of transistor (222-1). The switching circuit (310) may include a diode (313) having an anode connected to the gate electrode (g2) of transistor (222-2) (or a node (311) on the signal path of transistor (222-2). The switching circuit (310) may include a transistor (315) comprising a drain electrode (d3) connected to the cathodes of diodes (313, 314) and a source electrode (s3) connected to a ground node. The gate electrode (g3) of the transistor (315) may be connected to a node (F) of the MCU (320).

[0055] In the present disclosure, the control circuit (250) may include any circuit configured to control transistors (222-1, 222-2) included in the rectifier circuit (220-1). For example, the term "control circuit" may be used to refer to the control circuit (250) of FIG. 3, the combination of the control circuit (250) and the switching circuit (310), as well as the MCU (320). For example, the control circuit (250) of FIG. 3 and / or the switching circuit (310), as well as the MCU (320), may be integrated within the IC referred to as the "control circuit."

[0056] A transistor (e.g., transistor (222) of FIG. 2) of a rectifier circuit (220-1) comprising transistors (222-1, 222-2) may be configured to control an electrical connection between a port for receiving an alternating current signal (e.g., a port including nodes (p+, p-)) and a capacitor (231). A control circuit (250) may be connected to the gate electrode (e.g., gate electrodes (g1, g2)) of a transistor (e.g., transistors (222-1, 222-2)). The control circuit (250) may enable one of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) and disable the other transistor based on the polarity of the alternating current signal received through the port (e.g., the voltage of node (p+) relative to node (p-), which is a neutral node). The control circuit (250) can disable all transistors (222-1, 222-2) when the voltage of at least one of the nodes (p+, p-) exceeds a threshold (e.g., OVP (over voltage protection)). The control circuit (250) can disable all transistors (222-1, 222-2) during a time interval in which the phase of the alternating current signal received through the port changes (e.g., a zero crossing interval of the voltages of the nodes (p+, p-).

[0057] For example, to activate a transistor, the control circuit (250) may transmit a control signal having a voltage greater than a threshold voltage for electrical connection between the drain electrode and the source electrode of the transistor to the signal path of the transistor. For example, to activate a transistor (222-1), the voltage of node (Q1) of the MCU (320) may be amplified by an amplifier (351). The voltage amplified by the amplifier (351) (e.g., a voltage greater than the threshold voltage of the transistor (222-1)) may be applied to the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1). For example, to deactivate a transistor, the control circuit (250) may transmit a control signal having a voltage less than the threshold voltage to the signal path of the transistor. For example, to deactivate a transistor (222-1), a control signal having a voltage of substantially 0 V may be output from node (Q1) of the MCU (320).

[0058] In one embodiment, the switching circuit (310) may be configured to be connected to a signal path between the gate electrode of the transistor and the control circuit (250) to connect the signal path to a ground node. The control circuit (250) may be configured to conditionally control the switching circuit (310) to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit (250) to the gate electrode through the signal path to the ground node, based on the voltage of the alternating current signal received through the port.

[0059] In one embodiment, the control circuit (250) may control the switching circuit (310) to protect the transistors (e.g., transistors (222-1, 222-2)) of the rectifier circuit (220-1) from noise of the AC signal applied to the nodes (p+, p-). For example, while the voltage of the AC signal is below a threshold for OVP, the control circuit (250) may control the switching circuit (310) based on the rate of change of the voltage (e.g., dv / dt). Referring to FIG. 3, the transistor (315) of the switching circuit (310) may be configured to establish an electrical connection between the nodes (311, 312) and the ground node while the voltage of the gate electrode (g3) exceeds a threshold voltage for driving the transistor (315). Since the gate electrode (g3) is connected to the node (F) of the MCU (320), the transistor (315) can be configured to establish or release the electrical connection based on a control signal transmitted from the node (F). While the electrical connection is established, the voltage of the nodes (311, 312) can be reduced to the voltage of the ground node (e.g., a reference voltage such as 0 V) ​​(e.g., pull-down). In terms of reducing the voltage of the nodes (311, 312), the switching circuit (310) may be referred to as a pull-down circuit. While the electrical connection is released, the voltage of the nodes (311, 312) can have a voltage different from that of the ground node (e.g., voltages of the output nodes of the amplifiers (351, 352).

[0060] In one embodiment, the MCU (320) may be configured to measure the rate of change of voltage of an AC signal (e.g., an AC signal applied to nodes (p+, p-)) received through a rectifier circuit (220-1) via capacitors (331, 332). The MCU (320) may identify or measure the rate of change of voltage of node (p+) and the rate of change of voltage of node (p-) via each of the nodes (dp+, dp-) connected to the capacitors (331, 332). Based on the identified rate of change, the MCU (320) may determine the voltage of a control signal to be transmitted to the gate electrode (g3) of the transistor (315) via node (F). The operation of the MCU (320) based on the rate of change of the voltage of the alternating current signal identified through the nodes (dp+, dp-) is described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 5 and / or FIG. 6.

[0061] In one embodiment, the MCU (320) of the control circuit (250) can monitor the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) through the node (SQ1). The MCU (320) can monitor the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) through the node (SQ2). The voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) may be abnormally increased based on parasitic capacitors, as described below with reference to FIG. 4. If at least one of the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) is abnormally increased, the MCU (320) can increase the voltage of the control signal to be transmitted to the gate electrode (g3) of the transistor (315) through the node (F) to a voltage above a threshold for driving the transistor (315). The operation of the MCU (320) based on the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) identified through the nodes (SQ1, SQ2) is described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 7 and / or FIG. 8.

[0062] As described above, the control circuit (250) can generate or output one or more control signals (e.g., control signals transmitted through each of the nodes (Q1, Q2)) for controlling the transistors (e.g., transistors (222-1, 222-2)) of the rectifier circuit (220-1). The control circuit (250) can generate or output another control signal (e.g., control signal transmitted through the node (F)) for controlling the switching circuit (310) together with the one or more control signals. The other control signal can be transmitted to the gate electrode (g3) of the transistor (315) in the switching circuit (310). The other control signal transmitted to the switching circuit (310) may be generated to activate the transistor (315) in response to unstable changes such as a sudden change in the voltage of the AC signal input to the rectifier circuit (220-1) (e.g., a sudden rise and / or a sudden decrease) and / or chattering. The other control signal transmitted to the switching circuit (310) may be configured to activate the transistor (315) in the switching circuit (310) to reduce or prevent damage (e.g., damage caused by shoot-through current) to the transistor (e.g., transistors (222-1, 222-2)) of the rectifier circuit (220-1).

[0063] Below, with reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary case in which the transistors (e.g., transistors (222-1, 222-2)) of the rectifier circuit (220-1) are damaged is described in more detail.

[0064] FIG. 4 is an exemplary circuit diagram illustrating the relationship between noise of an AC signal and the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of a transistor (222-1) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 4, a portion of the rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3 is shown. The diodes (224, 225) and the transistor (222-1) of FIG. 4 may correspond to the diodes (224, 225) and the transistor (222-1) included in the rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3, respectively. Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary case in which the transistor (222-1) is damaged is described, but other transistors of the rectifier circuit (220-1) (e.g., transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3) may also be similarly damaged.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, a capacitor (410) comprising one end connected to the drain electrode (d1) of the transistor (222-1) and the other end connected to the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) may represent a parasitic capacitance formed within the transistor (222-1). For example, the capacitor (410) may be an imaginary circuit element illustrated to explain the operation of the transistor (222-1) based on the parasitic capacitance (Cdg) between the drain electrode (d1) and the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1).

[0066] By means of a capacitor (410) having parasitic capacitance (Cdg), the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) can be changed without a control signal provided from a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (250) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3) connected to the gate electrode (g1). For example, when the voltage of an AC signal applied to a node (p+) connected to the drain electrode (d1) of the transistor (222-1) increases rapidly (e.g., a rapid increase based on noise), the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) can be increased by means of the capacitor (410). For example, the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) can be increased by the rate of change (dv / dt) of the voltage of the AC signal applied to the node (p+) by means of the capacitor (410). As the voltage of the node (p+) (e.g., voltage of the AC signal) changes rapidly, the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) may also increase rapidly (e.g., spike). A rapid change in the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) can cause damage to the transistor (222-1). The phenomenon in which the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) increases rapidly in response to a change in the drain electrode (d1) based on parasitic capacitance (e.g., capacitor (410)) may be referred to as the Miller effect.

[0067] The voltage of the gate electrode (g1), increased by the Miller effect, can increase the potential difference between the gate electrode (g1) and the source electrode (s1) of the transistor (222-1). If the potential difference exceeds the absolute maximum rating of the transistor (222-1), the transistor (222-1) may be damaged. If the transistor (222-1) is damaged, it may cause (permanent) cessation of rectification operation by the transistor (222-1). In other words, damage to the transistor (222-1) may cause deactivation of the rectification circuit (220-1) containing the transistor (222-1) and the load circuit connected to the rectification circuit (220-1) (e.g., the remaining part connected to the rectification circuit (220-1) within the power circuit (170) of FIG. 2, the main circuit (180) of FIG. 1, and / or the display panel (160) of FIG. 1).

[0068] According to one embodiment, a control circuit of a rectifier circuit (220-1) (e.g., control circuit (250) of FIGS. 2 to 3) may (conditionally) establish an electrical connection between the gate electrode (g1) and the ground node to prevent or reduce an abnormal increase in the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1). For example, the control circuit may include a pull-down circuit (e.g., switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3) to reduce the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) to the voltage of the ground node. The control circuit may determine whether to establish the electrical connection using the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) and / or the drain electrode (d1) (or node (p+)) of the transistor (222-1).

[0069] Below, with reference to FIG. 5, an exemplary operation of a control circuit that establishes or disconnects the electrical connection based on the voltage of the drain electrode (d1) of the transistor (222-1) is described in more detail.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of a control circuit related to the voltage of an AC signal according to various embodiments. The control circuit (250) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3 may perform the operation of the control circuit described with reference to FIG. 5. The operation of the control circuit of FIG. 5 may be performed by the control circuit (250) of FIG. 3 and / or the MCU (320). For example, a set of instructions (e.g., a program referred to as firmware) configured to perform the operation of FIG. 5 may be installed within the MCU (320) of FIG. 3.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation (510), according to one embodiment, a control circuit can identify the rate of change of voltage of the drain electrodes (e.g., drain electrodes (d1, d2) of FIG. 3) of a transistor (e.g., transistor (222) of FIG. 2 and / or transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3) included in a rectifier circuit (e.g., rectifier circuit (220) of FIG. 2 and / or rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3). For example, by measuring the voltages of nodes (dp+, dp-) respectively connected to capacitors (331, 332) of FIG. 3, the control circuit can identify or detect the rates of change of the drain electrodes (d1, d2) of FIG. 3. Although an embodiment has been described for measuring the rates of change of all the voltages of the nodes (dp+, dp-) of FIG. 3, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the control circuit may identify or calculate at least one rate of change of the voltages of the nodes (dp+, dp-) of FIG. 3.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, within operation (520), a control circuit according to one embodiment may determine or check whether a rate of change exceeding a threshold has been identified. While identifying a rate of change below (or less than) the threshold (520-No), the control circuit may perform operation (510) (continuously, repeatedly, and / or periodically). If a rate of change exceeding (or greater than) the threshold has been identified (520-Yes), the control circuit may perform operation (530). The rate of change of the drain electrode of the transistor in operation (510) may cause a rapid change in the voltage of the gate electrode, as described above with reference to FIG. 4. When the rate of change of operation (510) exceeds the threshold, the voltage of the gate electrode may increase rapidly.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation (530), according to one embodiment, a control circuit may transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of a transistor to cut off an electrical connection in the transistor. For example, based on identifying a rate of change exceeding a threshold rate of change, the control circuit may control a switching circuit (e.g., the switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3) to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode of the transistor through a signal path to the ground node. For example, the control circuit may reduce the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor of the rectifier circuit to the voltage of the ground node. Since the voltage of the gate electrode is reduced to the voltage of the ground node, which is a voltage below the threshold voltage for driving the transistor, an electrical connection in the transistor may be cut off.

[0074] As described above, according to one embodiment, the control circuit can reduce the voltage of the gate electrode to the voltage of the ground node when a condition is satisfied in which the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor increases rapidly. For example, the control circuit can operate as a protection circuit to prevent or reduce the rapid increase in the voltage of the gate electrode. Since the voltage of the AC signal is applied to the drain electrode of the transistor included in the rectifier circuit, the control circuit performing the operation of FIG. 5 can protect the transistor despite rapid changes in the voltage of the AC signal.

[0075] Below, with reference to FIG. 6, the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor in a rectifier circuit in an exemplary case where the voltage of an AC signal changes rapidly is described as an example.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the exemplary operation of a control circuit based on noise of an AC signal according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6, graphs (610, 620, 630, 640) shown along a coincident time axis are illustrated. The control circuit (250) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3 may include the control circuit of FIG. 6. Graph (610) may represent the voltage of an AC signal received by a rectifier circuit (e.g., rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3) connected to the control circuit. For example, the voltage at node (p+) of FIG. 3 may be represented by graph (610). Graph (620) may represent the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the first transistor (e.g., transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3) of the rectifier circuit (e.g., rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3) connected to the control circuit. Graph (630) may represent the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the second transistor (e.g., transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3) of the rectifier circuit (e.g., rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3) connected to the control circuit. Graph (640) may represent the voltage of the control signal transmitted to the switching circuit (e.g., switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3) (e.g., control signal transmitted to the transistor (315) in the switching circuit (310) through the node (F) of FIG. 3).

[0077] Referring to graph (610), within a time interval (601) in which the voltage of node (p+) of FIG. 3 is positive, the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3, as indicated by graph (630), can be increased to a voltage above a threshold for driving the transistor (222-2). Within a time interval (601), the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3, as indicated by graph (620), can be maintained at a voltage below a threshold for driving the transistor (222-1) (e.g., a voltage substantially 0 V). Within a time interval (601), among the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3, the transistor (222-2) can be activated.

[0078] During the time interval (601), since the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3 is activated and the transistor (222-1) is deactivated, the voltage of the node (p+) can be applied to the capacitor (231) through the diode (224) of FIG. 3. For example, during the time interval (601), an alternating current signal can be transmitted to the capacitor (231) through the node (p+) and the diode (224) of FIG. 3.

[0079] Referring to graph (610), within the time interval (602) in which the voltage of node (p+) of FIG. 3 is negative, the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3, as indicated by graph (620), can be increased to a voltage above a threshold for driving the transistor (222-1). Within the time interval (602), the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3, as indicated by graph (630), can be maintained at a voltage below a threshold for driving the transistor (222-2) (e.g., a voltage substantially 0 V). Within the time interval (602), among the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3, the transistor (222-1) can be activated.

[0080] During the time interval (602), since the transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3 is activated and the transistor (222-2) is deactivated, the voltage of the node (p-) can be applied to the capacitor (231) through the diode (225) of FIG. 3. For example, during the time interval (602), an alternating current signal can be transmitted to the capacitor (231) through the node (p-) and the diode (225) of FIG. 3.

[0081] Referring to graph (610), the time interval between time intervals (601, 602) may be a zero-crossing interval of the voltage of the AC signal. Within the zero-crossing interval, all voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3, as indicated by graphs (620, 630), may be maintained at a voltage below a threshold for driving the transistors (222-1, 222-2). For example, within the zero-crossing interval, all of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3 may be deactivated.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, within the time interval (603), similar to the time interval (601), the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3, represented by the graph (630), can be maintained at a voltage exceeding a threshold for driving the transistor (222-2). Referring to FIG. 6, within the time interval (604) after the time interval (603), it is assumed that noise (612) is included in the voltage of the node (p+) of FIG. 3, represented by the graph (610). The noise (612) can cause a sudden change in the voltage of the node (p+).

[0083] As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the control circuit may generate or output a control signal that causes at least one transistor in the rectifier circuit to turn off based on the rate of change of the voltage of the AC signal represented by the graph (610). For example, within a time interval (604), the control circuit may change the voltage of the control signal transmitted to the switching circuit, represented by the graph (640), to a voltage that exceeds a threshold for driving the transistor in the switching circuit (e.g., transistor (315) in FIG. 3). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, when the transistor in the switching circuit is activated based on the voltage represented by the graph (640), the voltage of the gate electrode of at least one transistor in the rectifier circuit may be reduced to below the threshold for driving the at least one transistor. For example, the voltages of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3, as shown by the graphs (620, 630), can be reduced to substantially 0 V. In the above example, within the time interval (604), the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3 can be deactivated (e.g., turned off).

[0084] In the time interval (604), the voltage of the gate electrode of at least one transistor in the rectifier circuit is reduced to substantially 0 V, so a rapid increase in the voltage of the gate electrode due to noise (612) can be prevented or reduced. Referring to the graph (620), the noise (622) of the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3, caused by the noise (612) of the AC signal, can have a smaller size than the size of the noise (612) because the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) is reduced to substantially 0 V. Similarly, referring to graph (630), the noise (632) of the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3, caused by the noise (612) of the AC signal, can be removed without a sudden increase due to the noise (612) because the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) is reduced to substantially 0 V within the time interval (604).

[0085] Below, with reference to FIG. 7, an exemplary operation of a control circuit that monitors the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor in a rectifier circuit (directly) to establish or disconnect an electrical connection between the gate electrode and the ground node is described in more detail.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of a control circuit related to the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor in a rectifier circuit according to various embodiments. The control circuit (250) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3 may perform the operation of the control circuit described with reference to FIG. 7. The operation of the control circuit of FIG. 7 may be performed by the control circuit (250) of FIG. 3 and / or the MCU (320). For example, a set of instructions (e.g., a program referred to as firmware) configured to perform the operation of FIG. 7 may be installed within the MCU (320) of FIG. 3. The operation of FIG. 5 and / or FIG. 7 may be performed based on different circuits of the control circuit (250) and / or the MCU (320) of FIG. 3.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation (710), according to one embodiment, a control circuit can identify the voltage of the gate electrode (e.g., gate electrodes (g1, g2) of FIG. 3) of a transistor (e.g., transistor (222) of FIG. 2 and / or transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3) included in a rectifier circuit (e.g., rectifier circuit (220) of FIG. 2 and / or rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3). For example, through each of the nodes (SQ1, SQ2) connected to the cathodes of diodes (341, 342) of FIG. 3, the control circuit can identify or detect the voltages of the signal paths of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) included in the rectifier circuit. The control circuit can perform operation (710) while controlling a transistor in the rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC signal based on the rectifier circuit.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation (720), according to one embodiment, the control circuit may determine or check whether a voltage exceeding a threshold has been identified within a time interval for interrupting the electrical connection in the transistor. If the rectifier circuit includes a plurality of transistors, the control circuit may alternately activate or deactivate the plurality of transistors. The threshold of operation (720) may be a threshold for activating the transistor in the rectifier circuit (e.g., for establishing an electrical connection between the drain electrode and the source electrode).

[0089] For example, if a voltage below (or lower than) a threshold is identified (720-No) within a time interval for deactivating the transistor of operation (710) and / or within a time interval for blocking an electrical connection in said transistor (e.g., an electrical connection between the drain electrode and the source electrode), the control circuit may perform operation (710) (continuously, repeatedly, and / or periodically). For example, if a voltage above (or higher than) a threshold is identified (720-Yes) within a time interval for activating the transistor of operation (710) and / or within a time interval for blocking an electrical connection in said transistor (e.g., an electrical connection between the drain electrode and the source electrode), the control circuit may perform operation (730).

[0090] Referring to FIG. 7, within operation (730), a control circuit according to one embodiment may transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of a transistor to disconnect an electrical connection in the transistor. For example, based on identifying a voltage in the signal path of the transistor that exceeds a threshold of operation (720) within a time interval for disconnecting an electrical connection between a port based on the transistor in the rectifier circuit (e.g., a port including nodes (p+, p-) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3) and a capacitor (e.g., capacitor (231) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3), the control circuit may control a switching circuit (e.g., switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3) to change the voltage in the signal path to the voltage of the ground node.

[0091] In one embodiment, a control signal for operation (730) may be transmitted to a switching circuit (e.g., switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3) to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode of the transistor through a signal path to a ground node. Based on receiving the control signal for operation (730), the switching circuit may electrically connect the gate electrode of the transistor of operation (710) and the ground node. Because it is electrically connected to the ground node, the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor may be reduced to substantially 0 V. Because the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor is reduced to substantially 0 V, electrical connections in the transistor (e.g., electrical connections between the drain electrode and the source electrode of the transistor) may be released or blocked.

[0092] As described above, according to one embodiment, if the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor increases abnormally within a time interval for interrupting the electrical connection in the transistor (e.g., an increase based on the Miller effect described with reference to FIG. 4), the control circuit may interrupt the electrical connection and / or reduce the voltage of the gate electrode. For example, the control circuit may operate as a protection circuit to prevent or reduce the abnormal increase of the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor within the time interval. To electrically connect the gate electrode and the ground node, the control circuit may prevent or reduce the increase of the voltage of the gate electrode.

[0093] Below, with reference to FIG. 8, an exemplary operation of a control circuit for a transistor is described in an exemplary case in which the gate electrode of the transistor in the rectifier circuit is increased within a time interval for deactivating the transistor.

[0094] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the exemplary operation of a control circuit based on the voltage of the gate electrode of a transistor in a rectifier circuit according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 8, graphs (810, 820, 830, 840) shown along a coincident time axis are illustrated. The control circuit (250) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3 may include the control circuit of FIG. 6. Graph (810) may represent the voltage of an AC signal received by a rectifier circuit (e.g., the rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3) connected to the control circuit (e.g., the voltage at node (p+) of FIG. 3). Graph (820) may represent the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3. Graph (830) may represent the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of the transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3. The graph (840) can represent the voltage of a control signal transmitted to the switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3 (e.g., a control signal transmitted to a transistor (315) in the switching circuit (310) through the node (F) of FIG. 3).

[0095] Referring to graph (810), the voltage of node (p+) in FIG. 3 may be positive in time intervals (801, 803) and negative in time intervals (802, 804). Referring to graphs (820, 830) in time intervals (801, 803), the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of transistor (222-2) among transistors (222-1, 222-2) in FIG. 3 may be increased above a threshold value. For example, in time intervals (801, 803), transistor (222-2) in FIG. 3 may be activated and transistor (222-1) may be deactivated. Referring to the graphs (820, 830) in the time intervals (802, 804), the voltage of the gate electrode (g1) of transistor (222-1) among the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3 can be increased above a threshold value. For example, in the time intervals (802, 804), transistor (222-1) of FIG. 3 can be activated and transistor (222-2) can be deactivated. The operation of the control circuit and rectifier circuit in the time interval (801) can correspond to the operation of the control circuit and rectifier circuit in the time interval (601) of FIG. 6. The operation of the control circuit and rectifier circuit in the time interval (802) can correspond to the operation of the control circuit and rectifier circuit in the time interval (602) of FIG. 6.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 8, in time intervals (801, 803), the control circuit can activate transistor (222-2) and deactivate transistor (222-1) among the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3. In other words, time intervals (801, 803) can be set to activate transistor (222-2) and deactivate transistor (222-1). Time intervals (802, 804) can be set to deactivate transistor (222-2) and activate transistor (222-1).

[0097] Referring to the graph (820) in FIG. 8, within the time interval (805) included in the time interval (804), the voltage of the gate electrode (g2) of the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3 may be abnormally changed. For example, based on identifying a voltage that has increased to exceed a threshold within the time interval (804) set to disable the transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3, the control circuit may change the voltage of the control signal transmitted to the switching circuit to a voltage exceeding the threshold for driving the transistor (e.g., transistor (315) of FIG. 3) within the switching circuit, as shown in graph (840). Based on receiving a control signal as shown in graph (840) within the time interval (805), the switching circuit may connect the gate electrode (e.g., gate electrode (g2) of FIG. 3) of the transistor (e.g., transistor (222-2) of FIG. 3) within the rectifier circuit to a ground node. Referring to the graphs (820, 830) within the time interval (805), the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3 can be reduced to the voltage of the ground node (e.g., about 0 V).

[0098] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary rectifier circuit (220-2) connected to a control circuit according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 9, a rectifier circuit (220-2), which is an example of the rectifier circuit (220) of FIG. 2, is illustrated together with a control circuit (250) and a switching circuit (310) connected to the rectifier circuit (220-2). The electronic device (101) and / or power circuit (170) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2 may include the rectifier circuit (220-2), the control circuit (250), and the switching circuit (310) of FIG. 9. The control circuit (250) and the switching circuit (310) of FIG. 9 may perform the operations described with reference to FIG. 3 through FIG. 8.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 9, at least a portion of a power circuit (e.g., power circuit (170) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2) is shown, which includes a rectifier circuit (220-2) comprising four transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) as an example of the transistor (222) of FIG. 2. Nodes (p+, p-) of FIG. 9 may correspond to nodes (p+, p-) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3. An embodiment in which the transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) are N-channel MOSFETs is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) may be P-channel MOSFETs. The transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 9 can correspond to the transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 9, the rectifier circuit (220-2) may be connected to a capacitor (231). The capacitor (231) of FIG. 9 may correspond to the capacitor (231) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3. The rectifier circuit (220-2) of FIG. 9 may include a transistor (222-4) comprising a source electrode (sb) connected to a node (p+) (or the drain electrode (d1) of the transistor (222-1)) and a drain electrode (db) connected to one end of the capacitor (231). The rectifier circuit (220-2) of FIG. 9 may include a transistor (222-3) comprising a source electrode (sa) connected to a node (p-) (or the drain electrode (d2) of the transistor (222-2)) and a drain electrode (da) connected to one end of the capacitor (231).

[0101] The control circuit (250), MCU (320), and switching circuit (310) of FIG. 9 may correspond to the control circuit (250), MCU (320), and switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3, respectively. In the description of the control circuit (250), MCU (320), and switching circuit (310) of FIG. 9, descriptions that overlap with the description of the control circuit (250), MCU (320), and switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3 may not be repeated. Referring to FIG. 9, the control circuit (250) may be configured to transmit control signals to the gate electrodes (g1, g2) of transistors (222-1, 222-2) based on the voltages of the drain electrodes (d1, d2) of transistors (222-1, 222-2). Referring to FIG. 9, the signal path between the gate electrode (g1) of transistor (222-1) and the control circuit (250) may extend to the gate electrode (ga) of transistor (222-3). Referring to FIG. 9, the signal path between the gate electrode (g2) of transistor (222-2) and the control circuit (250) may be connected to the gate electrode (gb) of transistor (222-4). For example, transistors (222-1, 222-3) may be simultaneously activated or deactivated by a control signal output from node (Q1) of the MCU (320). For example, transistors (222-2, 222-4) may be simultaneously activated or deactivated by a control signal output from node (Q2) of the MCU (320). The control circuit (250) can alternately activate a first set of transistors (222-1, 222-3) and a second set of transistors (222-2, 222-4) based on the voltage of an alternating current signal, as described above with reference to FIG. 6 and / or FIG. 8.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the switching circuit (310) may be configured to be connected to signal paths between the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) of transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) and the control circuit (250) to change the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) to the voltage of the ground node. The control circuit (250) may be configured to control the switching circuit (310) based on whether the rate of change of the voltage of at least one of the drain electrodes (d1, d2) of transistors (222-1, 222-2) exceeds a threshold rate of change. The control circuit (250) can control the switching circuit (310) based on the AC component of the voltage of the drain electrodes (d1, d2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) (e.g., an AC component different from the AC component provided by the power system (110), such as noise (612). When the rate of change of the voltage of at least one of the drain electrodes (d1, d2) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2) exceeds a threshold rate of change, the control circuit (250) can transmit a control signal to the switching circuit (310) to establish an electrical connection between the drain electrode (d3) and the source electrode (s3) of the transistor (315) in the switching circuit (310).

[0103] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (250) may be configured to control the switching circuit (310) using the voltages of the signal paths of the transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4). For example, when the voltage of the signal path of the specific transistor exceeds a threshold voltage within a second time interval different from the first time interval defined to activate the specific transistor for rectification of an AC signal based on the rectifier circuit (220-2), the control circuit (250) may control the switching circuit (310) to reduce the voltage of the signal path of the specific transistor to the voltage of the ground node. For example, in a second time interval different from the first time interval defined to activate a first set of transistors (222-1, 222-3), if the voltage on the signal path connected to the gate electrodes (g1, ga) of the transistors (222-1, 222-3) (e.g., the voltage of node (312)) exceeds a threshold voltage, the control circuit (250) can control the switching circuit (310) to reduce the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, ga) to the voltage of the ground node. In the above example, a second set of transistors (222-2, 222-4) can be set to be deactivated in the first time interval. In the above example, in the first time interval, if the voltage on the signal path connected to the gate electrodes (g2, gb) of the transistors (222-2, 222-4) (e.g., the voltage of node (311)) exceeds a threshold voltage, the control circuit (250) can control the switching circuit (310) to change the voltages of the gate electrodes (g2, gb) to the voltage of the ground node. Referring to FIG. 9, when the transistor (315) of the switching circuit (310) is activated, all the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) included in the rectifier circuit (220-2) can be electrically connected to the ground node.

[0104] As described above, according to one embodiment, the control circuit (250) can collectively reduce the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) of the transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 223-4) included in the rectifier circuit (220-2) by using the switching circuit (310). When the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) are simultaneously reduced by the switching circuit (310), all of the transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) may be deactivated. The control circuit (250) can determine whether to control the switching circuit (310) by checking for a condition in which at least one of the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) is abnormally increased. For example, if noise included in the voltage of an alternating current signal is identified, or if at least one of the voltages of the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) is abnormally increased, the control circuit (250) can control the switching circuit (310) to connect at least one of the gate electrodes (g1, g2, ga, gb) to a ground node.

[0105] In one embodiment, a method to prevent or reduce noise of an alternating current signal from being transmitted to a transistor included in a rectifier circuit may be required. An electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment as described above may include a port for receiving an alternating current signal, a capacitor (e.g., capacitor (231) of FIG. 2), a transistor configured to control an electrical connection between the port and the capacitor (e.g., transistors (222-1, 222-2) of FIG. 3, and / or transistors (222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4) of FIG. 9), a control circuit connected to the gate electrode of the transistor (e.g., control circuit (250) of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and / or FIG. 9), and a switching circuit (e.g., switching circuit (310) of FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 9) connected to a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit and configured to connect the signal path to a ground node. The control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode through the signal path to the ground node, based on the voltage of the AC signal received through the port. An electronic device according to one embodiment may include a control circuit and / or a switching circuit configured to prevent or reduce noise of the AC signal from being transmitted to a transistor included in a rectifier circuit.

[0106] For example, the electronic device may include a diode (e.g., diodes (224, 225) of FIG. 3) comprising an anode connected to the port and a cathode connected to the capacitor. The transistor may include a drain electrode connected to the anode of the diode and a source electrode connected to the ground node.

[0107] For example, the capacitor may be a first capacitor. The electronic device may include a second capacitor (e.g., capacitors (331, 332) of FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 9) comprising one end connected to the anode of the diode and the other end connected to the control circuit.

[0108] For example, the control circuit may be configured to identify the rate of change of the voltage of the AC signal through the second capacitor. The control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode through the signal path to the ground node, based on identifying the rate of change exceeding a threshold rate of change.

[0109] For example, the transistor may be a first transistor. The switching circuit may include a diode (e.g., diodes (313, 314) of FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 9) having an anode connected to the signal path. The switching circuit may include a second transistor (e.g., transistor (315) of FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 9) having a drain electrode connected to the cathode of the diode, a source electrode connected to the ground node, and a gate electrode connected to the control circuit.

[0110] For example, the control signal may be a first control signal. The control circuit may be configured to transmit a second control signal for controlling the switching circuit to the gate electrode of the second transistor.

[0111] For example, the electronic device may include a diode (e.g., diodes (341, 342) of FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 9) comprising an anode connected on the signal path and a cathode connected to the control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit based on the voltage of the signal path identified through the diode.

[0112] For example, the control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit to change the voltage of the signal path to the voltage of the ground node based on identifying the voltage of the signal path exceeding a threshold voltage within a time interval for disconnecting the electrical connection between the port based on the transistor and the capacitor.

[0113] For example, the capacitor may be a first capacitor. The electronic device may include a power factor conversion circuit (e.g., the power factor conversion circuit (230) of FIG. 2) configured to control the charging of a second capacitor using the power of the first capacitor based on the power factor of the alternating current signal.

[0114] A power circuit according to one embodiment as described above (e.g., power circuit (170) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2) may include a port for receiving an AC signal. The power circuit may include a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the AC signal (e.g., rectifier circuit (220) of FIG. 2, rectifier circuit (220-1) of FIG. 3, and / or rectifier circuit (220-2) of FIG. 9). The power circuit may include a capacitor configured to be charged by the AC signal rectified by the rectifier circuit. The rectifier circuit may include a diode comprising an anode connected to the port and a cathode connected to the capacitor. The rectifier circuit may include a transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the anode and a source electrode connected to a ground node. The rectifier circuit may include a control circuit configured to transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of the transistor based on the voltage of the drain electrode. The above rectifier circuit may include a switching circuit connected to a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit, configured to change the voltage of the gate electrode to the voltage of the ground node.

[0115] For example, the control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit based on whether the rate of change of the voltage of the drain electrode exceeds a threshold rate of change.

[0116] For example, the capacitor may be a first capacitor. The power circuit may include a second capacitor comprising one end connected to the drain electrode and the other end connected to the control circuit.

[0117] For example, the control circuit may be configured to identify the AC component of the voltage of the drain electrode through the second capacitor. The control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit based on the identified AC component.

[0118] For example, the transistor may be a first transistor. The switching circuit may include a diode having an anode connected to the signal path. The switching circuit may include a second transistor having a drain electrode connected to the cathode of the diode, a source electrode connected to the ground node, and a gate electrode connected to the control circuit.

[0119] For example, the control circuit may be configured to transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of the second transistor to establish an electrical connection between the drain electrode and the source electrode of the second transistor, based on identifying the rate of change of the voltage of the gate electrode that exceeds a threshold rate of change.

[0120] For example, the diode may be a first diode. The power circuit may include a second diode comprising an anode connected on the signal path and a cathode connected to the control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit based on the voltage of the signal path identified through the second diode.

[0121] For example, the control circuit may be configured to control the switching circuit to change the voltage of the signal path to the voltage of the ground node based on identifying the voltage of the signal path that exceeds a threshold voltage within a second time interval different from a first time interval defined to activate the transistor for rectifying the AC signal based on the rectifier circuit.

[0122] For example, the capacitor may be a first capacitor. The power circuit may further include a power factor conversion circuit configured to control the charging of a second capacitor using the power of the first capacitor based on the power factor of the AC signal.

[0123] In one embodiment as described above, a method for controlling a transistor of a rectifier circuit may be provided. The method may include an operation of identifying the voltage of an AC signal transmitted to the rectifier circuit. The method may include an operation of identifying the rate of change of the voltage. The method may include an operation of controlling the transistor based on a specified period for rectifying the AC signal, based on identifying the rate of change below a threshold rate of change. The method may include an operation of changing the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor to the voltage of a ground node, based on identifying the rate of change exceeding the threshold rate of change.

[0124] For example, the above method may include an operation of identifying the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor while identifying the rate of change below the threshold rate of change. The above method may include an operation of changing the voltage of the gate electrode of the transistor to the voltage of the ground node based on identifying the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage within a time interval for deactivating the transistor for rectifying the AC signal.

[0125] As used herein, the term “if” may be understood, depending on the context, to mean “when, upon,” “in response to a decision,” or “in response to a detection.” Similarly, “when it is decided to,” or “when [the mentioned condition or event] is detected” may be understood, optionally, to mean “when it is decided,” or “in response to a decision,” when [the mentioned condition or event] is detected, or in response to [the mentioned condition or event] being detected.

[0126] The device described above may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and / or a combination of a hardware component and a software component. For example, the device and components described in this disclosure may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing unit may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications executed on said operating system. Additionally, the processing unit may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, the processing unit may be described as being used as a single unit, but those skilled in the art will understand that the processing unit may include a plurality of processing elements and / or a plurality of types of processing elements. For example, the processing unit may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Additionally, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0127] Software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, and may configure a processing unit to operate as desired or instruct the processing unit independently or collectively. Software and / or data may be embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, computer storage medium, or device so as to be interpreted by the processing unit or to provide instructions or data to the processing unit. Software may be distributed over networked computer systems and may be stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

[0128] Methods according to various embodiments may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. In this case, the medium may continuously store a program executable by a computer, or temporarily store it for execution or download. Additionally, the medium may be various recording or storage means in the form of a single or several combined hardware, and may not be limited to a medium directly connected to a computer system but may exist distributed over a network. Examples of media may include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and media configured to store program instructions, including ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Additionally, other examples of media may include recording or storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications or sites and servers that supply or distribute various other software.

[0129] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to limited examples and drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from the description above. For example, suitable results may be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or if the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in combination with other embodiment(s) described herein.

[0130] Therefore, other implementations, embodiments, and the scope of the claims and their equivalents fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In an electronic device, A port configured to receive alternating current signals; Capacitor; A transistor configured to control the electrical connection between the above port and the above capacitor; A control circuit connected to the gate electrode of the above transistor; and It includes a switching circuit connected to a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit, configured to connect the signal path to a ground node; The above control circuit is, A switching circuit configured to control the switching circuit in order to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode through the signal path to the ground node, based on the voltage of the AC signal received through the above port. Electronic device.

2. In Claim 1, It further includes a diode comprising an anode connected to the above port and a cathode connected to the above capacitor, and The above transistor is, A drain electrode connected to the anode of the diode, and a source electrode connected to the ground node, Electronic device.

3. In Claim 2, The above capacitor is a first capacitor, and A second capacitor comprising one end connected to the anode of the diode and the other end connected to the control circuit, Electronic device.

4. In Claim 3, The above control circuit is, Identifying the rate of change of the voltage of the AC signal through the second capacitor; Based on identifying the rate of change exceeding the threshold rate of change, the switching circuit is configured to control the switching circuit in order to transmit a control signal to be transmitted from the control circuit to the gate electrode through the signal path to the ground node. Electronic device.

5. In Claim 1, The above transistor is a first transistor; The above switching circuit is: A diode including an anode connected to the above signal path; A second transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the cathode of the diode, a source electrode connected to the ground node, and a gate electrode connected to the control circuit, Electronic device.

6. In Claim 5, The above control signal is a first control signal, and The above control circuit is, A second control signal for controlling the switching circuit is configured to be transmitted to the gate electrode of the second transistor. Electronic device.

7. In Claim 1, It includes a diode comprising an anode connected on the signal path and a cathode connected to the control circuit; The above control circuit is, Configured to control the switching circuit based on the voltage of the signal path identified through the diode. Electronic device.

8. In Claim 7, The above control circuit is, A switching circuit configured to control the switching circuit to change the voltage of the signal path to the voltage of the ground node, based on identifying the voltage of the signal path exceeding a threshold voltage within a time interval for releasing the electrical connection between the port and the capacitor based on the transistor. Electronic device.

9. In Claim 1, The above capacitor is a first capacitor; A power factor conversion circuit further comprising, configured to control the charging of a second capacitor using the power of the first capacitor based on the power factor of the above AC signal, Electronic device.

10. In a power supply circuit, A port configured to receive alternating current signals; A rectifier circuit configured to rectify the above AC signal; and It includes a capacitor configured to be charged by the alternating current signal rectified by the above rectifier circuit, and The above rectification circuit is, A diode comprising an anode connected to the above port and a cathode connected to the above capacitor; A transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the anode and a source electrode connected to a ground node; A control circuit configured to transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of the transistor based on the voltage of the drain electrode; and A switching circuit including a signal path between the gate electrode and the control circuit, configured to change the voltage of the gate electrode to the voltage of the ground node. Power circuit.

11. In Claim 10, The above control circuit is, A switching circuit configured to control the switching circuit based on whether the rate of change of the voltage of the drain electrode exceeds a threshold rate of change. Power circuit.

12. In Claim 10, The above capacitor is a first capacitor, and A second capacitor comprising one end connected to the drain electrode and the other end connected to the control circuit, Power circuit.

13. In Claim 12, The above control circuit is, Identifying the alternating current component of the voltage of the drain electrode through the second capacitor; Configured to control the switching circuit based on the identified AC component, Power circuit.

14. In Claim 10, The above transistor is a first transistor, and The above switching circuit is, A diode including an anode connected to the above signal path; A second transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the cathode of the diode, a source electrode connected to the ground node, and a gate electrode connected to the control circuit, Power circuit.

15. In Claim 14, The above control circuit is, Based on identifying the rate of change of the voltage of the gate electrode that exceeds a threshold rate of change, the second transistor is configured to transmit a control signal to the gate electrode of the second transistor to establish an electrical connection between the drain electrode and the source electrode of the second transistor. Power circuit.

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