Controller for a semiconductor switch can include a transmitter and receiver that communicate across galvanic isolation using an inductive coupling

A controller to control a power switch of a power converter, the controller comprising:

• an inductive coupling configured to provide galvanic isolation and communication between a primary side and a secondary side of the controller, circuits coupled to the primary side being referenced to a first reference potential and circuits coupled to the secondary side being referenced to a second reference potential, the inductive coupling comprising:
• a first winding with a first primary terminal and a second primary terminal;
• and
• a second winding with a first secondary terminal and a second secondary terminal;
• a driver interface coupled to the first winding, the driver interface comprising:
• a command transmitter configured to transmit an on-command to turn on the power switch and an off-command to turn off the power switch;
• a fault receiver coupled to the first primary terminal, the fault receiver configured to compare a signal at the first primary terminal with a first current threshold to determine if a fault communication has been received;
• and
• a data receiver coupled to the second primary terminal, the data receiver configured to compare a signal at the first primary terminal with a second current threshold to determine if a data communication has been received;
• and
• a drive circuit coupled to the second winding, the drive circuit comprising:
• a fault transmitter coupled to the first secondary terminal and configured to drive a fault current into the first secondary terminal to provide the fault communication;
• and
• a data transmitter coupled to the second secondary terminal and configured to drive a data current into the second secondary terminal to provide the data communication.