MOSFET Switching Circuit for Off-State Voltage Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in preventing unintended power supply during off operations, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage due to lingering voltages and currents.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a switching circuit with specific resistance elements and MOSFETs, where switching elements Q2 and Q4 change states to quickly discharge voltage VN1 to 0V, and additional resistance element R5 is used to manage current flow during off operations, ensuring the switching element Q1 remains off and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If switching elements are used to control power supply, then power efficiency is improved, but unintended power supply may occur during off operations due to lingering voltages and currents
Solution Approach 1:
Resistive elements are introduced as intermediary components between the switching elements and the load. These resistive elements act as mediators that provide controlled discharge paths for lingering voltages and currents, preventing unintended power supply while maintaining the efficiency benefits of switching element control.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful lingering voltages and currents are extracted from the main power supply path through dedicated discharge paths formed by resistive elements. This separation allows the switching elements to control power supply efficiently while the resistive elements handle the cleanup of residual energy that could cause unintended power supply.
2Reliability
If resistive elements are added to discharge voltages, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistive elements are merged with the existing switching element structure to form integrated discharge paths. Rather than adding completely separate discharge circuits, the resistive elements are positioned to work in conjunction with the switching elements, reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining reliability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive elements serve multiple functions: they provide discharge paths for voltage and current, limit current flow during switching transitions, and protect switching elements from voltage spikes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components, offsetting the complexity increase from adding the resistive elements.
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 configuration effectively suppresses unintended power supply during off operations, quickly discharging voltages, reducing the risk of damage to the switching elements and improving operational reliability by managing currents and voltages within safe limits.
Implementation Method 1
switching elements Q2 and Q4 change states to quickly discharge voltage VN1 to 0V
Implementation Method 2
additional resistance element R5 is used to manage current flow during off operations
Data Source
AI summary
In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a first circuit. The first circuit includes a first switching element, a second switching element and a first resistor. The gate of the first switching element is coupled between the first node and the second terminal. The first resistor and the second switching element are coupled in series between the first node and the second terminal. The first circuit is configured to change the first switching element and the second switching element from an off state to an on state when supply of the first voltage to the first node is stopped.