Power module with protection circuit

A power electronic system, comprising:

• a multi-phase motor;
• and
• a power module configured to drive the multi-phase motor,
• wherein the power module comprises:
• a positive bus input voltage terminal;
• a phase terminal electrically coupled to each phase of the multi-phase motor;
• an inverter comprising a half bridge for each phase of the multi-phase motor, each half bridge comprising a high-side power switch electrically coupled between the positive bus input voltage terminal and the respective phase terminal and a low-side power switch electrically coupled between the respective phase terminal and ground;
• a first driver circuit configured to drive a gate terminal of each power switch of the inverter, the first driver circuit including level shift circuitry configured to provide a turn-on gate-to-emitter voltage to each high-side power switch of the inverter;
• a protection switch electrically coupled in series between the positive bus input voltage terminal and each high-side power switch of the inverter, the protection switch having a greater short-circuit withstand time (SCWT) and a lower short-circuit current level compared to each power switch of the inverter;
• and
• a second driver circuit configured to turn on the protection switch during normal operation of the power module and to turn off the protection switch in response to a detected short circuit condition, the second driver circuit including level shift circuitry configured to provide a turn-on gate-to-emitter voltage to the protection switch.