Switch Module Short-Circuit Protection via Gate-Load Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional short circuit detection methods for power transistors, such as desaturation detection, can be too slow and require additional components, which may limit performance and increase parasitic effects.
Innovation Solution
A switch module with a short circuit detection circuit that detects short circuits between load terminals and electrically couples the control terminal to the first load terminal, powered by the voltage between the control terminal and the first load terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional desaturation detection is used for short circuit monitoring, then short circuit detection can be achieved, but the detection speed is too slow and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the short circuit detection function from external components and integrates it directly into the power transistor package. The detection circuit is formed within the semiconductor substrate, eliminating the need for external diodes and other components. This integration enables faster detection speed while maintaining reliable short circuit monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit is nested within the power transistor package structure. The detection circuit shares the semiconductor substrate and integrates with the power transistor cells, forming a compact nested architecture. This nesting approach reduces external component requirements and improves detection speed by eliminating external signal paths.
2Reliability
If additional components like diodes are used outside the power transistor package, then short circuit detection can be implemented, but device complexity increases and parasitic effects are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the detection circuit with the power transistor by forming both on the same semiconductor substrate. The detection circuit shares physical and electrical integration with the power transistor cells, combining multiple functions into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates external components and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor substrate serves multiple functions: it hosts both the power transistor cells for high-power switching and the detection circuit for short circuit monitoring. This multi-functional integration allows the same substrate to perform both power handling and detection tasks, eliminating the need for separate external components.
3Reliability
If additional components are used outside the power transistor package, then short circuit detection can be achieved, but parasitic effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the detection circuit with the power transistor on the same substrate, the invention eliminates external connection paths that would introduce parasitic inductance and resistance. The integrated architecture removes external diodes and their associated parasitic effects, improving overall circuit performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Switch modules, driver circuits for switch modules and corresponding methods are provided. In an implementation, a switch module includes a transistor switch including a control terminal, a first load terminal and a second load terminal, and a short circuit detection circuit configured to detect a short circuit state between the first load terminal and the second load terminal and to electrically couple the control terminal and the first load terminal in response to detecting the short circuit state. The short circuit detection circuit is supplied by a voltage between the control terminal and the first load terminal.