Gate driver with continuously-variable current
AssigneeInfineon Technologies Austria AG
InventorsGiuseppe Bernacchia, Adriano Sambucco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Circuits, methods, and systems are provided for setting a current level to be used by a current-mode gate driver. The current level may be used to source, sink, or both source and sink current to/from the gate terminal of a power device. The current level is based upon a current or voltage level input from an analog current-setting terminal. This input current or voltage level may take a value from a continuous range of current or voltage values.
Claims18
A current-mode gate driver circuit, comprising:
- an analog current-setting terminal configured to input an analog electrical signal from a source external to the current-mode gate driver circuit;
- an adjustable current generator having an input coupled to the analog current-setting terminal and configured to generate a reference current level that follows a voltage or current level at the analog current-setting terminal;
- an output terminal for coupling to a gate terminal of a power device;
- an output stage configured to drive the output terminal with a current drive level that is based upon the reference current level, the output stage comprising:
- a pull-up current mirror coupled in series with a pull-up switch device, wherein the pull-up switch device provides a switchable connection between the pull-up current mirror and the output terminal, and wherein the pull-up current mirror is configured to source current, to the output terminal and through the pull-up switch device, based upon the reference current level, and/or
- a pull-down current mirror coupled in series with a pull-down switch device, wherein the pull-down switch device provides a switchable connection between the pull-down current mirror and the output terminal, and wherein the pull-down current mirror is configured to sink current, from the output terminal and through the pull-down switch device, based upon the reference current level;
- and
- an input control terminal for switching the output stage.
2-4. (canceled)
A current-mode gate driver system, comprising:
- a controller configured to provide a gate current control parameter at a control output, the current control parameter being one or more of a control voltage, a control current, or a control resistance;
- a power device comprising a gate terminal that controls conduction between a first power device terminal and a second power device terminal;
- a current-mode gate driver circuit comprising:
- an analog current-setting terminal coupled to the control output;
- an adjustable current generator having an input coupled to the analog current-setting terminal and configured to generate a reference current level that follows a voltage or current level at the analog current-setting terminal;
- an output terminal for coupling to the gate terminal of a power device;
- an output stage configured to drive the output terminal with a current drive level that is based upon the reference current level;
- and
- an input control terminal for switching the output stage.
A method within a current-mode gate driver circuit that comprises an analog current-setting terminal configured to input an analog electrical signal from a source external to the current-mode gate driver circuit, an adjustable current generator, an output terminal for coupling to a gate terminal of a power device, an output stage, and an input control terminal for switching the output stage, the method comprising:
- inputting a voltage level at the analog current-setting terminal;
- setting a reference current level that follows the input voltage level;
- setting a current drive level for the output stage based upon the reference current level;
- driving a current having the current drive level from the output stage to the output terminal;
- and
- switching the output stage based upon a control signal provided at the input control terminal.
A current-mode gate driver circuit, comprising:
- an analog current-setting terminal configured to input an analog electrical signal from a source external to the current-mode gate driver circuit;
- an adjustable current generator having an input coupled to the analog current-setting terminal and configured to generate a reference current level based upon a voltage level at the analog current-setting terminal;
- an output terminal for coupling to a gate terminal of a power device;
- an output stage configured to drive the output terminal with a current drive level that is based upon the reference current level;
- and
- an input control terminal for switching the output stage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.