Adaptive Gate Negative Bias Control in Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters using WBG-based power semiconductors face issues with switch malfunctions due to excessive threshold voltage during switching, leading to increased parasitic impedance and conduction loss.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a control unit that adjusts the magnitude of negative voltage applied to the switch based on current sensing, using a programmable power supply to apply a higher voltage when current is low and a lower voltage when current is high, thereby stabilizing the switch operation and reducing conduction loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a negative voltage of certain magnitude is applied in cutoff section to prevent noise voltage from exceeding threshold voltage, then switch operation stabilization is improved, but conduction loss increases due to increase in magnitude of anti-parallel bias voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by varying the magnitude of negative voltage applied to the gate driver based on the current flowing through the switch. The control unit adjusts the negative voltage magnitude in real-time according to current conditions, transitioning from static fixed negative voltage to dynamic adaptive negative voltage, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of negative voltage magnitude from a fixed value to a variable value that depends on current conditions. By modifying the negative voltage parameter dynamically based on sensed current, the system optimizes both switch stabilization and conduction loss, directly addressing the technical contradiction
2Reliability
If magnitude of negative voltage is increased to improve switch stabilization, then switch operation reliability is improved, but conduction loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the negative voltage parameter by making it adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the magnitude of negative voltage based on current conditions, ensuring sufficient stabilization only when necessary and reducing excessive voltage application that causes unnecessary conduction loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static negative voltage application to dynamic negative voltage adjustment. The magnitude of negative voltage is continuously adapted based on real-time current sensing, allowing the system to maintain reliability while minimizing energy loss under varying operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a power converter capable of improving stabilization while minimizing loss when switching a switch included in the power converter. The power converter includes a switch; a gate driver configured to drive the switch at a predetermined duty ratio and apply a positive voltage when the switch is turned on and a negative voltage when the switch is turned off; a negative power supply unit configured to supply the negative voltage to the gate driver and vary a magnitude of the negative voltage; a current sensor configured to sense a current flowing in the switch; and a control unit configured to control the negative power supply unit to adjust the magnitude of the negative voltage applied to the switch according to a value sensed by the current sensor.