Gate Drive Current Switching for Low-Noise Semiconductor Operation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in optimizing the trade-off relationship between noise and switching loss due to the lack of effective control over the driving current, leading to increased short-circuit currents and noise during normal operations.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device with a driving current control circuit that includes a latch circuit to adjust the driving current based on the collector current, using a latch release condition to switch between first and second driving currents, optimizing the driving current magnitude to suppress short-circuit currents and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the driving current is increased to reduce switching loss, then the switching loss decreases, but the short-circuit current and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching lossVSAvoidshort-circuit current and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the driving current adjustable rather than fixed. The driving current control circuit dynamically changes the driving current magnitude based on operational conditions, specifically using a latch circuit to switch between a first driving current (lower magnitude) and a second driving current (higher magnitude). This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of switching loss while controlling short-circuit current and noise based on actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the driving current magnitude as a controllable parameter. The driving current control circuit changes the parameter of driving current from a first magnitude to a second magnitude based on the state of the latch circuit. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements, reducing switching loss when needed while limiting short-circuit current and noise when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the driving current is decreased to reduce short-circuit current and noise, then the short-circuit current and noise are reduced, but the switching loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort-circuit current and noiseVSAvoidswitching loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the driving current adjustable rather than fixed. The driving current control circuit dynamically changes the driving current magnitude based on operational conditions, specifically using a latch circuit to switch between a first driving current (lower magnitude) and a second driving current (higher magnitude). This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of switching loss while controlling short-circuit current and noise based on actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the driving current magnitude as a controllable parameter. The driving current control circuit changes the parameter of driving current from a first magnitude to a second magnitude based on the state of the latch circuit. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements, reducing switching loss when needed while limiting short-circuit current and noise when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed driving current is used, then the circuit is simple, but the trade-off between noise and switching loss cannot be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidswitching loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the driving current adjustable rather than fixed. The driving current control circuit dynamically changes the driving current magnitude based on operational conditions, specifically using a latch circuit to switch between a first driving current (lower magnitude) and a second driving current (higher magnitude). This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of switching loss while controlling short-circuit current and noise based on actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the driving current magnitude as a controllable parameter. The driving current control circuit changes the parameter of driving current from a first magnitude to a second magnitude based on the state of the latch circuit. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements, reducing switching loss when needed while limiting short-circuit current and noise when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12620984B2Semiconductor device

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes a switching element performing a switching base on an input signal to operate a load, a detection circuit outputting a release signal upon detecting a predetermined state of the switching element, and a driving current control circuit including a latch circuit that latches a detection result obtained from a magnitude of a current flowing through the switching element and to be reset upon receiving the release signal from the detection circuit. The control circuit outputs, based on an output of the latch circuit a first driving current or a second driving current larger than the first driving current. The driving current is used for charging a gate capacitance of the switching element in an operation state of the semiconductor device. The control circuit sets the driving current to the first driving current upon the latch circuit being reset by the release signal.