Power Semiconductor Driver Circuit for Adaptive Gate Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving devices for power semiconductors face challenges in efficiently controlling the driving current based on load current and device temperature, leading to increased switching losses and noise.
Innovation Solution
The driving device incorporates a current sensing unit, temperature sensing unit, and a driver circuit that adjusts the driving current based on the load current and device temperature, using a control memory to store settings for various sensed states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the driving current is increased to reduce switching losses, then the switching losses are reduced, but the switching noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the driving current adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The driver circuit dynamically changes the driving current based on real-time feedback from temperature sensing and load current detection, allowing optimization of switching losses under varying operating conditions without permanently increasing noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of driving current based on sensed states (temperature and load current). By adjusting this key parameter according to operating conditions, the system reduces switching losses when needed while avoiding excessive current that would generate harmful noise, thus resolving the contradiction between energy loss and noise generation
2Loss of energy
If the driving current is dynamically adjusted based on sensed states, then the switching losses are suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function into distinct modular components: a sensing unit for detecting temperature and load current, a control unit for processing sensed signals, and a driver circuit for generating the driving current. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, simplifying the overall design and reducing complexity while achieving effective suppression of turn-on loss fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the sensing unit continuously monitors temperature and load current, feeds this information to the control unit, which then adjusts the driving current accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically suppresses turn-on loss fluctuations without requiring complex manual control, as the system self-regulates based on real-time operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a driving device comprising: a driving control unit which, based on a load current or a device temperature of a power semiconductor, controls a driving current of the power semiconductor; and a driver circuit which supplies the power semiconductor with the driving current, wherein the driver circuit comprises: a reference unit which generates a reference current; two or more mirror circuits which are provided in parallel to each other, and each generate a mirror current depending on the reference current; and a current generating unit which, based on currents flowing through the two or more mirror circuits, generates the driving current, and wherein the driving control unit controls whether to cause one or more of the mirror circuits to output the mirror current to the current generating unit to control the driving current.