Power Semiconductor Gate Driver Isolation for Accurate State Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism to accurately transmit state signals, such as temperature, current, and voltage information, from high side circuits to low side circuits, especially during transitions in power semiconductor switching operations.
Innovation Solution
The driving apparatus incorporates a transmission unit that converts the reference voltage of high side state signals into a suitable voltage for the low side circuit, using isolation devices like photocouplers, and controls the output of state signals based on a clock signal, thereby ensuring accurate signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If state signals are transmitted directly from high side circuit to low side circuit without voltage conversion, then device complexity is reduced, but signal transmission accuracy deteriorates due to reference voltage mismatches during power semiconductor switching transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission unit as an intermediary component between the high side circuit and low side circuit. This transmission unit includes a voltage converter that converts the reference voltage of state signals from the high side circuit to match the reference voltage level of the low side circuit, thereby enabling accurate signal transmission without direct connection and resolving the reference voltage mismatch problem during switching transitions.
2Measurement precision
If isolation devices like photocouplers are used to convert reference voltage for accurate signal transmission, then state signal transmission accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission unit is designed to perform multiple functions: voltage conversion, signal isolation, and reference voltage matching. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent achieves accurate state signal transmission while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity compared to using separate dedicated components for each function.
3Speed
If state signals are transmitted continuously without clock signal control, then transmission speed is improved, but signal accuracy deteriorates during power semiconductor switching transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements clock signal control for the transmission of state signals. The transmission unit is configured to transmit state signals at specific periodic intervals synchronized with the clock signal, particularly during critical periods such as power semiconductor switching transitions. This periodic transmission ensures that state signals are accurately transmitted at the right moments while maintaining overall transmission speed.
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
This solution enables the driving apparatus to reliably transmit state information between high and low side circuits, even during power semiconductor switching transitions, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the driving apparatus operations.
Implementation Method 1
using isolation devices like photocouplers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a driving apparatus of a power semiconductor, including: a first circuit; a second circuit; a state signal generation unit that generates a first state signal indicating a state of the first circuit with a digital value of multiple bits; and a communication control unit that controls an output period in which the first circuit outputs the first state signal based on a loaded-state signal indicating a transition timing of ON/OFF of the power semiconductor.