Gate Driver Circuit Sampling Capacitor High-Side Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for driving high-side switches require large capacitors and additional pins for external components, making them unsuitable for compact, cost-effective designs that minimize external components and pin count.
Innovation Solution
A gate driver circuit with a sampling and level-shift circuit that uses a sampling capacitor to charge the gate capacitance of the high-side switch, eliminating the need for a charge-pump and reducing the number of required pins and chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charge-pump is used to supply DC current for driving the high-side switch, then the high-side switch can be driven effectively, but large capacitors are required which take up valuable chip surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the capacitor from the charge-pump circuit and places it externally, eliminating the need for large on-chip capacitors. The external capacitor is connected through a capacitor connection pin, allowing the charge-pump to generate the necessary voltage without requiring large energy storage elements on the chip itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the capacitor from the two-dimensional chip surface to the external three-dimensional space, connecting it through a pin. This dimensional transition eliminates the surface area constraint on the chip while maintaining the electrical function.
2Area of stationary object
If external capacitors are used to reduce chip surface area, then less chip area is required, but additional pins are needed to connect the external capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor connection pin serves multiple functions: it connects the external capacitor to the charge-pump circuit and also provides the necessary electrical connection for the high-voltage output. This multi-functionality reduces the total pin count compared to dedicated separate connections.
3Reliability
If a charge-pump design is used, then DC current can be supplied for driving the high-side switch, but the number of external components increases which adds to BOM cost
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the capacitor from the integrated circuit and placing it externally, the patent reduces the component count on the chip. The charge-pump circuit itself remains integrated, maintaining its DC current supply capability while reducing the need for additional external components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for a more compact and cost-effective integration of high-side switch drivers on a single chip, reducing chip surface area usage by up to 99% and minimizing the number of pins needed, while maintaining efficient output current control.
Implementation Method 1
A sampling capacitor is configured to sample an output voltage of the at least one amplifier and charge a gate capacitance of the high-side switch
Data Source
AI summary
A gate driver circuit for driving a high-side switch is disclosed. The gate driver circuit comprises a sample and level-shift circuit. The sample and level-shift circuit is connected to the high-side switch. The gate driver circuit further comprises a sampling capacitor. The sampling capacitor is configured to sample an output voltage of an at least one amplifier. The gate driver circuit additionally includes at least one voltage supply. The at least one voltage supply is connected to the at least one amplifier. The sampling capacitor is configured to charge a gate capacitance of the high-side switch, and the at least one amplifier is configured to limit a high-side switch output current.