Optically Isolated Semiconductor Switch With Fast Gate Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor switches require time to charge electric charges between the gate and source, which slows down the switching process due to the reliance on photovoltaic elements generating photovoltage.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor switch configuration that includes a switching transistor, a transmission element, a receiving element, and a power supply circuit, where the receiving element generates a current based on an input signal, and the power supply circuit rapidly supplies a power supply current to the control electrode of the switching transistor, utilizing photodiode arrays and a power supply circuit to enhance switching speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a photovoltaic element is used to generate photovoltage for charging the gate-source, then the switching transistor can be made conductive, but the switching speed is reduced due to the time required for charge accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-charges the gate electrode through a dedicated charging path before the photovoltaic element completes its charge accumulation. The power supply circuit charges the gate electrode in advance, so when the photovoltage is generated, the switching transistor can transition to conductive state faster, reducing the overall switching time while maintaining reliable conduction.
2Reliability
If electric charges are charged between gate and source using photovoltage, then the switching transistor becomes conductive, but the process requires excessive time
Solution Approach 1:
The gate electrode is pre-charged through a charging circuit before the photovoltaic element completes charge accumulation. This preliminary charging action reduces the time required for the switching transistor to become conductive, while still ensuring reliable conduction when the photovoltage is fully generated.
Solution Approach 2:
A charging circuit acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the gate electrode, providing a dedicated path for rapid charge delivery. This intermediary charging mechanism supplements the photovoltaic charging process, reducing the overall charging time while maintaining the reliability of transistor conduction.
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 allows the semiconductor switch to turn on the switching transistors at a higher speed, reducing the time required for switching and improving the overall performance by rapidly charging the control electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic element that receives light from a light emitting element emitting light in response to an input signal and generates a photovoltage
Implementation Method 2
The receiving element is configured to generate a first current based on input of an input signal to the transmission element
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present embodiment, a semiconductor switch includes a switching transistor, a transmission element, a receiving element, and a power supply circuit. The switching transistor is connected between a pair of output terminals. An input signal is input to the transmission element. The receiving element is configured to generate a first current based on input of an input signal to the transmission element, wherein the receiving element is isolated from the transmission element. The power supply circuit is configured to supply a power supply current to a control electrode of the switching transistor in response to generation of the first current.