Intelligent power modules for resonant converters

A semiconductor package, comprising:

• a power switch being a discrete device and having a control terminal and first and second power terminals;
• a freewheeling device being a discrete device, the freewheeling device being connected electrically in parallel to the first and second power terminals of the power switch;
• and
• a controller circuit being a monolithic integrated circuit, the controller circuit having a first output terminal connected to the control terminal of the power switch, a first input terminal receiving an input signal and a second input terminal receiving a feedback signal, the input signal determining an on-period and off-period of the power switch, the controller circuit comprising a normal gate drive circuit for generating a gate drive signal to drive the control terminal of the power switch in response to the input signal and a protection circuit implementing at least one protection function for the power switch,
• wherein the semiconductor package comprises a first terminal being the first power terminal of the power switch, a second terminal being the second power terminal of the power switch, a third terminal coupled to the first input terminal of the controller circuit, and a fourth terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the controller circuit;
• and
• wherein the protection circuit in the controller circuit comprises an abnormal turn on disable circuit configured to monitor a deassertion transition of the system input signal, and to block the system input signal from driving the power switch through the normal gate drive circuit for a minimum off duration.

A semiconductor package, comprising:

• a power switch being a discrete device and having a control terminal and first and second power terminals;
• a freewheeling device being a discrete device, the freewheeling device being connected electrically in parallel to the first and second power terminals of the power switch;
• and
• a controller circuit being a monolithic integrated circuit, the controller circuit having a first output terminal connected to the control terminal of the power switch, a first input terminal receiving an input signal and a second input terminal receiving a feedback signal, the input signal determining an on-period and off-period of the power switch, the controller circuit comprising a normal gate drive circuit for generating a gate drive signal to drive the control terminal of the power switch in response to the input signal and a protection circuit implementing at least one protection function for the power switch,
• wherein the semiconductor package comprises a first terminal being the first power terminal of the power switch, a second terminal being the second power terminal of the power switch, a third terminal coupled to the first input terminal of the controller circuit, and a fourth terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the controller circuit;
• and
• wherein the protection circuit in the controller circuit comprises a maximum duty cycle disable circuit configured to monitor a duration of the on period of the system input signal, and to turn off the power switch in response to the duration of the on period exceeding a maximum on duration.