MOSFET Gate Control Circuit for Low OFF-State Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate control circuits for MOSFETs face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption, particularly in the gate-OFF state, due to uncontrolled current consumption and variations in voltage caused by temperature and process changes.
Innovation Solution
A gate control circuit comprising a controller, delay circuit, internal power circuit, boosting circuit, and control circuit that generates control signals to manage the gate voltage of a transistor, with a delay circuit and VREG controller to suppress consumption current by delaying control signals and controlling the internal power supply voltage, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the gate control circuit continuously supplies power to the internal power circuit, then the circuit can respond quickly to control signals, but the power consumption increases significantly in the gate-OFF state
Solution Approach 1:
The internal power circuit is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously. The circuit activates the internal power supply only when control signals are detected, and shuts it down during idle periods when no control signals are present. This periodic operation allows the circuit to maintain quick response capability when needed while dramatically reducing power consumption during the gate-OFF state and other idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate control circuit incorporates automatic power management that detects the presence or absence of control signals and autonomously adjusts the power supply state. When control signals are absent, the circuit automatically shuts off power to the internal power circuit, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and manual intervention while maintaining readiness to respond quickly when control signals arrive.
2Device complexity
If the gate control circuit uses a simple control structure, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot effectively suppress consumption current or stabilize voltage variations
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary actions by detecting control signals in advance and proactively adjusting the power supply state before significant voltage variations or excessive current consumption can occur. When control signals are detected, the circuit prepares the internal power supply in advance, and when signals are absent, it preemptively shuts off power to prevent wasteful current consumption and voltage instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate control circuit implements a feedback mechanism where the control circuit continuously monitors the state of control signals and adjusts the power supply to the internal power circuit accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that power is supplied only when needed, effectively suppressing consumption current during idle periods while maintaining voltage stability during active operation, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex circuitry.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the internal power circuit operates continuously, then voltage supply is stable, but consumption current cannot be suppressed in the gate-OFF state
Solution Approach 1:
The internal power circuit transitions from continuous operation to periodic operation, activating only when control signals are detected and shutting down when no control signals are present. This periodic operation mode maintains voltage stability during active periods when the circuit is needed, while eliminating unnecessary power consumption during idle periods in the gate-OFF state, thus resolving the contradiction between voltage stability and energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a gate control circuit includes a controller, a delay circuit, a power circuit, a boosting circuit, a first transistor, and a control circuit. The controller outputs first and second control signals based on a control signal from outside. The delay circuit delays the first control signal. The power circuit is capable of controlling a power supply voltage to be output based on the delayed first control signal. The boosting circuit is capable of boosting and outputting an input voltage. The first transistor has one end connected to an output node of the boosting circuit, and the other end grounded. The control circuit is capable of controlling a gate voltage of the first transistor based on the second control signal.