Semiconductor Drive Shut-Off Circuit for Stable Low-Power Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor devices, turning off the control power supply to reduce power consumption is challenging due to unstable operation caused by unfixed voltages applied to the switching device from the control IC, making it difficult to minimize power consumption without affecting device stability.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device design that includes a drive unit and a comparator with separate power supply terminals, where the comparator operates independently when the control power supply is off, shutting down the drive signal to the switching device, allowing the control power supply to be turned off without destabilizing the device, using external voltages for power supply and comparator operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the control power supply is turned off to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the operation of the semiconductor device becomes unstable due to unfixed voltage applied to the switching device
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent terminals: a first terminal for the drive unit and a second terminal for the comparator. This segmentation allows the comparator to remain powered and operational even when the drive unit's power supply is turned off, enabling stable shutdown control while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The comparator acts as an intermediary component that monitors the voltage from the first terminal and controls the shut-off switch. By using the second terminal's power supply independently, the comparator can mediate between the powered-off drive unit and the switching device, ensuring stable shutdown by preventing unfixed voltage application to the switching device gate.
2Reliability
If the control power supply remains on to maintain stable operation, then operation stability is maintained, but power consumption increases and cannot be reduced in standby states
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables periodic or conditional power supply management where the control power supply can be turned off during standby states and turned on during operation. The comparator's independent power supply from the second terminal enables this periodic control by maintaining operational capability to manage the shutdown state stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power supply parameter configuration by introducing a separate second terminal for the comparator. This parameter change allows the comparator to operate with different power supply conditions than the drive unit, enabling the system to transition between powered and powered-off states while maintaining operational stability through the comparator's continuous monitoring capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes: a first terminal inputting a first voltage from outside; a drive unit using the first voltage as a power supply voltage and outputting a drive signal; a switching device driven by the drive signal; a second terminal separated from the first terminal and inputting a second voltage from outside; a comparator using a voltage generated from the second voltage as a power supply voltage and outputting an output signal when a voltage generated from the first voltage is less than or equal to a reference potential; and a shut-off switch shutting off a transmission of the drive signal to the switching device from the drive unit in response to the output signal.