Abstract:
A switch controller includes a primary side including signal transmission circuitry to transmit signals representative of desired transitions of a switch. A signal transformer galvanically isolates the primary side from a secondary side but inductively couples signal transmission circuitry to signal reception circuitry. A switch is coupled to switch a low impedance onto a primary side winding of the signal transformer during pauses between transmissions of the signals representative of the desired transition of the switch. The secondary side includes signal reception circuitry, a drive signal generator to generate a drive signal in response to valid signals received by the signal reception circuitry, and a validation circuit that includes a first comparator, a timer, and a second comparator to compare a timed duration with a threshold duration, and to output to the drive signal generator signals indicative of the validity of particular signals received by the signal reception circuitry.
Abstract:
A switch controller for controlling a power switch includes a signal transformer to galvanically isolate a primary side from a secondary side and receive and transfer a transition signal to transition the power switch to an on or off state between the primary side and the secondary side. The transition signal pulses to a first value to indicate the power switch transitions to the on state, to a second value to indicate the power switch transitions to the off state, and remains at a third value when there is no transition. A transmission circuit is coupled to a primary winding to control a switch to generate the transition signal. The switch switches a substantially low impedance onto the primary winding when there is no transition. A receiver circuit is coupled to a secondary winding to generate a drive signal to control the power switch in response to the transition signal.
Abstract:
A turn-off circuit for a semiconductor switch includes an element having a variable resistance coupled to a control input of the semiconductor switch, a circuit for generating a control-input reference signal, and a control circuit coupled to adjust a resistance of the element having a variable resistance in response to the control-input reference signal in a closed control loop in order to turn off the semiconductor switch.
Abstract:
A transformer includes a transformer core, a first wire, which forms a first winding, and a second wire, which forms a second winding. The first and second windings are wound around the transformer core. A preformed insulation structure is arranged between the first and second winding and designed to space apart the second winding from the first winding and the transformer core. The preformed insulation structure further includes a first shell which at least partially encloses the transformer core with the first winding, and a second shell which at least partially encloses the transformer core with the first winding. The first and second shells are identical. One or more holes are defined in the first shell and the second shell. The one or more holes cover more than 10% of a surface of the preformed insulation structure.
Abstract:
A switch controller for controlling a power switch includes a signal transformer to galvanically isolate a primary side from a secondary side and receive and transfer a transition signal to transition the power switch to an on or off state between the primary side and the secondary side. The transition signal pulses to a first value to indicate the power switch transitions to the on state, to a second value to indicate the power switch transitions to the off state, and remains at a third value when there is no transition. A transmission circuit is coupled to a primary winding to control a switch to generate the transition signal. The switch switches a substantially low impedance onto the primary winding when there is no transition. A receiver circuit is coupled to a secondary winding to generate a drive signal to control the power switch in response to the transition signal.
Abstract:
A circuit for turning off a power semiconductor switch includes a turn-off transistor coupled to switch a signal for turning off the power semiconductor switch onto a control terminal of the power semiconductor switch and a feedback control loop for controlling a voltage on the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch during turn-off. The feedback loop includes a feedback path to feedback a measurement of the voltage of the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch, a control terminal reference voltage generator to generate a time-dependent reference voltage, an error amplifier to generate an error signal representative of a difference between the voltage of the control terminal and the time-dependent reference voltage, and a forward path to convey the error signal forward for controlling the switching of the signal for turning off the power semiconductor switch onto the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch by the turn-off transistor.
Abstract:
A circuit for turning off a power semiconductor switch includes a turn-off transistor coupled to switch a signal for turning off the power semiconductor switch onto a control terminal of the power semiconductor switch and a feedback control loop for controlling a voltage on the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch during turn-off. The feedback loop includes a feedback path to feedback a measurement of the voltage of the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch, a control terminal reference voltage generator to generate a time-dependent reference voltage, an error amplifier to generate an error signal representative of a difference between the voltage of the control terminal and the time-dependent reference voltage, and a forward path to convey the error signal forward for controlling the switching of the signal for turning off the power semiconductor switch onto the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch by the turn-off transistor.
Abstract:
A switch controller includes a primary side including signal transmission circuitry to transmit signals representative of desired transitions of a switch. A signal transformer galvanically isolates the primary side from a secondary side but inductively couples signal transmission circuitry to signal reception circuitry. A switch is coupled to switch a low impedance onto a primary side winding of the signal transformer during pauses between transmissions of the signals representative of the desired transition of the switch. The secondary side includes signal reception circuitry, a drive signal generator to generate a drive signal in response to valid signals received by the signal reception circuitry, and a validation circuit that includes a first comparator, a timer, and a second comparator to compare a timed duration with a threshold duration, and to output to the drive signal generator signals indicative of the validity of particular signals received by the signal reception circuitry.
Abstract:
A transformer includes a transformer core, a first wire, which forms a first winding, and a second wire, which forms a second winding. The first and second windings are wound around the transformer core. A preformed insulation structure is arranged between the first and second winding and designed to space apart the second winding from the first winding and the transformer core. The preformed insulation structure further includes a first shell which at least partially encloses the transformer core with the first winding, and a second shell which at least partially encloses the transformer core with the first winding. The first and second shells are identical. One or more holes are defined in the first shell and the second shell. The one or more holes cover more than 10% of a surface of the preformed insulation structure.