Cascode Bidirectional Power Switch With User-Configurable Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state switches are not user-configurable for normally-on or normally-off behavior, making it difficult to replace electro-mechanical relays, and integrating bidirectional switches in a single die increases die size due to the need for multiple configurations.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional power switch is designed with a cascode configuration of normally-on and normally-off switch devices, allowing configuration as either a normally-off, normally-on, or hybrid switch through external gate driver connections, and a unidirectional power switch is similarly configurable through gate driver connections to the source terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bidirectional switch types are integrated in the same die to provide user-configurable behavior, then adaptability is improved, but die size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single bidirectional switch device that can be configured to operate in multiple modes (normally-on, normally-off, and hybrid) through external gate driver connections. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate switch types on the die, providing user-configurable behavior while maintaining a compact die size.
2Device complexity
If conventional solid-state switches are used with defined normally-on or normally-off behavior, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic switch configuration where the same physical device can adapt its behavior (normally-on or normally-off) based on external gate driver connections. This dynamic adaptability allows the switch to change its operational characteristics without requiring different device structures, thus maintaining low complexity while achieving high versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A unidirectional power switch includes: a normally-on switch device having a normally-on gate, a source, and a drain; a normally-off switch device having a normally-off gate, a source, and a drain, the drain of the normally-off switch device being electrically connected to the source of the normally-on switch device in a cascode configuration; a first source terminal electrically connected to the source of the normally-off switch device; a second source terminal electrically connected to the source of the normally-on switch device; and a drain terminal electrically connected to the drain of the normally-on switch device. The unidirectional power switch is configurable as either a normally-off unidirectional switch or a normally-on unidirectional switch, depending on a configuration of external gate driver connections to the source terminals. Additional power switch embodiments and related methods of configuring the power switches are described, including a configurable bidirectional power switch.