Isolated Gate Driver Auxiliary Power Supply Using Charge Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Isolated gate driver power supplies face issues with high inefficiency, electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise, and increased cost due to the need for safety-rated transformers, which are undesirable characteristics in power amplifier systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a DC:DC power converter with auxiliary gate driver power supply units (PSUs) based on a charge pump concept, which harnesses energy from the voltage commutation across high-voltage switches to power isolated gate drivers, reducing the need for transformers and minimizing EMI noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety-rated transformer is used to power isolated gate drivers, then electrical isolation and safety are improved, but cost, device complexity, and electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the isolated gate driver and implements it using a charge pump circuit that generates the required isolated voltage from the existing supply voltage. This eliminates the need for a separate transformer component while maintaining electrical isolation through the gate driver's internal architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate driver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides signal amplification for gate drive and simultaneously generates the isolated auxiliary power supply voltage through its internal charge pump circuitry. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power supply components.
2Reliability
If a safety-rated transformer is used to power isolated gate drivers, then electrical isolation is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive safety-rated transformer from the bill of materials and replaces it with integrated charge pump circuitry that uses standard capacitors and diodes, significantly reducing component cost while achieving the required electrical isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, readily available electronic components (capacitors, diodes, transistors) to build the charge pump circuit instead of expensive specialized transformers, making the overall system more cost-effective despite the shorter lifespan of individual passive components.
3Reliability
If a safety-rated transformer is used to power isolated gate drivers, then electrical isolation is improved, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high dv/dt voltage transitions across the power switch into a beneficial resource by using these transitions to drive the charge pump circuit and generate the isolated auxiliary power supply voltage, thereby eliminating EMI from transformer switching while still achieving power conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic transformer mechanism with an electronic charge pump mechanism that uses capacitive energy transfer instead of magnetic coupling, eliminating the EMI noise associated with transformer core switching and winding capacitance while maintaining electrical isolation.
4Power
If a safety-rated transformer is used to power isolated gate drivers, then power supply capability is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit operates in periodic cycles, charging capacitors during high dv/dt intervals and discharging them to provide steady auxiliary power. This periodic energy transfer mechanism achieves high efficiency by capturing energy during natural voltage transitions rather than continuous transformer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from continuous transformer switching to periodic capacitive charging/discharging cycles, optimizing the timing to capture energy during high dv/dt events. This parameter optimization maximizes energy recovery and minimizes losses, achieving superior power efficiency.
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 enhances energy efficiency, reduces EMI noise, and decreases component count and cost, providing a more robust and efficient power supply for isolated gate drivers.
Implementation Method 1
DC:DC power converter with auxiliary gate driver power supply units (PSUs) based on a charge pump concept, which harnesses energy from the voltage commutation across high-voltage switches
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and system for powering an isolated gate driver. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a gate driver power supply unit (PSU), coupled to a transistor and to an isolated gate driver that couples control signals to the transistor, for (i) harnessing energy from commutation action across the transistor, and (ii) using the harnessed energy to power the isolated gate driver.