US 12,738,933 B2 · Self-learning gate driver

Abstract

An example gate driver circuit includes a sequencer comprising a plurality of parameters defining a gate signal, where the gate driver circuit is configured to output the gate signal to a gate of a switch. The gate driver circuit also includes a comparator configured to output a timing signal to a parameter generation unit, the timing signal being based on a response of the switch receiving the gate signal from the gate driver circuit. The timing signal is indicative of a characteristic of the switch, and the parameter generation unit is configured to determine a parameter of the plurality of parameters based on the characteristic of the switch. The gate driver circuit is also configured to receive input from the parameter generation unit and store the input in the sequencer, the input defining the parameter of the plurality of parameters determined by the processor.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A gate driver circuit configured to perform a self-learning process associated with a switch that is connected to the gate driver circuit, the gate driver circuit comprising:

a sequencer comprising a plurality of parameters defining a gate signal, wherein the gate driver circuit is configured to output the gate signal to a gate of the switch;
and
a comparator configured to output a timing signal to a parameter generation unit, wherein the timing signal is based on a response of the switch receiving the gate signal from the gate driver circuit, wherein the timing signal is indicative of characteristics of the switch,
wherein the parameter generation unit is configured to determine values for at least some of the plurality of parameters based on the characteristic of the switch, wherein the plurality of parameters include a pre-charge value Q1, and wherein to determine the values, the parameter generation unit is configured to determine the pre-charge value Q1 based on a calculation:
Q1=IPCHG*TDON,
wherein IPCHG is a pre-charge gate current, and TDON is a pre-charge time, and
wherein the gate driver circuit is configured to receive input from the parameter generation unit and store the input in the sequencer, wherein the input defines the at least some of plurality of parameters determined by the parameter generation unit.

4 more elements

A system configured to perform a self-learning process associated with a switch, the system comprising:

a gate driver configured to output a gate signal to a gate of the switch;
a sequencer comprising a plurality of parameters defining the gate signal;
and
a parameter generation unit configured to determine values for at least some of the plurality of parameters based on characteristic of the switch and to cause the gate driver to output the gate signal to the switch according to the at least some of values of the plurality of parameters,
wherein the plurality of parameters include a pre-charge value Q1, and wherein to determine the values, the parameter generation unit is configured to determine the pre-charge value Q1 based on a calculation:
Q1=IPCHG*TDON,
wherein IPCHG is a pre-charge gate current, and TDON is a pre-charge time.

4 more elements

A method of performing a self-learning process associated with a switch, the method comprising:

causing, by a parameter generation unit, a gate driver to output a gate signal to a gate of the switch, wherein the gate driver includes a sequencer comprising a plurality of parameters defining the gate signal;
receiving, in response to the gate signal and by the parameter generation unit from a comparator of the gate driver, one or more timing signals;
determining, by the parameter generation unit, at least some values indicative of characteristics of the switch based on the one or more timing signals, wherein the plurality of parameters include a pre-charge value Q1, and wherein determining the at least some values includes determining the pre-charge value Q1 based on a calculation:
Q1=IPCHG*TDON,
wherein IPCHG is a pre-charge gate current, and TDON is a pre-charge time.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-learning gate driver

Life of this patent

Self-learning gate driver

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24