MOSFET Gate Current Circuit With Switched Bias Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic circuits that supply currents to semiconductor switching devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while effectively controlling the switching of these devices, particularly in high breakdown voltage applications.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electronic circuit includes a reference current source, a current-to-voltage conversion circuit, and a current adjustment circuit, which generate and control currents to switch high breakdown voltage MOSFETs, using a combination of current mirror circuits and voltage conversion mechanisms to optimize current supply and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a current mirror circuit is used to determine the current supplied to a semiconductor switching device, then the switching control is effective, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the current supply to the switching device gate in two distinct phases: during switching transitions (when current is supplied to charge/discharge gate capacitance) and during steady states (when current is stopped or minimized). The control circuit selectively activates current paths only when needed for switching operations, rather than maintaining continuous current flow, thereby reducing overall power consumption while preserving effective switching control.
2Strength
If high breakdown voltage MOSFETs are used, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the current control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the current control function into multiple independent circuits: a first current determination circuit for setting the main current level, a second current determination circuit for adjusting the current, and a control circuit for managing the timing and paths of current supply. This modular segmentation allows each circuit to handle a specific aspect of current control, simplifying the overall control complexity while maintaining the ability to effectively drive high breakdown voltage MOSFETs.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electronic circuit includes: a first circuit configured to generate a first current and output a first voltage, the first voltage being one of a voltage based on the first current and a first predetermined voltage; a second circuit configured to generate a first output current based on the first voltage; a first output terminal outputting the first output current to a first switching device; a first input terminal having a first input signal inputted, the first input signal relating to driving and non-driving of the first switching device; and a third circuit configured to generate a first control signal based on the first input signal, the first control signal switching the first voltage to the first predetermined voltage and stopping the first current.