Resonant Gate Driver Layout Using Parasitic Inductance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of inductance as a chip component increases component count and cost, while integrating it on a semiconductor substrate as spiral inductance leads to high DC resistance and degraded performance in resonant gate driver circuits.
Innovation Solution
A resonant gate driver circuit is integrated on a semiconductor substrate with a parasitic inductance used as the resonant inductance, eliminating the need for external components and reducing DC resistance by arranging output nodes at maximum distance and using parasitic inductance occurring in coupling means such as wiring or bonding wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inductance is configured as a chip component, then the resonant gate driver circuit can be implemented, but the number of components increases resulting in increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the resonant inductor function into the existing chip substrate by utilizing the parasitic inductance of the coupling wiring between output nodes. This eliminates the need for a separate inductor chip component while maintaining the resonant circuit functionality, thereby reducing component count and cost without sacrificing circuit performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful parasitic inductance of the coupling wiring into a beneficial resonant inductor. By intentionally utilizing the parasitic inductance that naturally occurs in the wiring structure, the patent eliminates the need for additional components while achieving the desired resonant behavior for high-frequency switching
2Device complexity
If inductance is integrated on a semiconductor substrate as spiral inductance, then the number of components is reduced, but the DC resistance value increases resulting in degraded performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inductor function with the existing coupling wiring structure rather than adding a separate spiral inductance element. This approach reduces component count while avoiding the high DC resistance associated with traditional spiral inductors, as the inductance is derived from the necessary coupling wiring itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the parasitic inductance of the coupling wiring, which is typically considered a harmful effect, into a beneficial resonant inductor. This eliminates the need for additional inductance elements that would introduce high DC resistance, thereby maintaining low resistance while achieving the required inductance for resonant operation
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 reduces the need for external components, lowers DC resistance, and enhances performance by utilizing parasitic inductance as the resonant inductance, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the resonant gate driver circuit.
Implementation Method 1
The resonant inductor is structured as a parasitic inductance that occurs in a coupling means that electrically couples the first output node and the second output node
Implementation Method 2
a resonant driving method has been proposed. With such a resonant driving method using LC resonance, it is possible to switch a power transistor at a high frequency with low power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A resonant gate driver 200A includes an H-bridge circuit and a resonant inductor integrated on a semiconductor substrate. A first leg of the H-bridge circuit includes a first high-side transistor, a first output node, and a first low-side transistor such that they are arranged side-by-side in a first direction (x direction) in a first region defined along a first side. The second leg of the H-bridge circuit includes a second high-side transistor, a second output node, and a second low-side transistor such that they are arranged side-by-side in a first direction (x direction) in a second region defined along a second side. A resonant inductor is a parasitic inductance that occurs in a coupling means that electrically couples the first output node and the second output node.