Power converter and matrix converter

A power converter comprising:

• n power transistors each having an emitter terminal or a source terminal connected to a common line;
• and
• a driver connected to the n power transistors,
• wherein the driver includes:
• n pre-drivers that drive gate terminals of the respective n power transistors;
• and
• a receiver integrated monolithically with the n pre-drivers;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the receiver by AC coupling,
• wherein the receiver outputs a plurality of control signals that control the n pre-drivers in response to a plurality of signals received from the transmitter,
• wherein the transmitter is integrated with a first semiconductor substrate,
• wherein the n pre-drivers and the receiver are integrated with a second semiconductor substrate which is different from the first semiconductor substrate, and
• wherein the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate are integrated in a same package.

A matrix converter, comprising:

• first to N-th input lines connected to an AC input;
• first to M-th output lines connected to an AC output;
• N×M first power transistors;
• N×M second power transistors;
• M first driver ICs;
• and
• N second driver ICs,
• wherein the respective first to M-th output lines are commonly connected with emitter terminals or source terminals of the N first power transistors that conduct commutation from the first to N-th input lines,
• wherein the respective first to N-th input lines are commonly connected with emitter terminals or source terminals of the M second power transistors that conduct commutation from the first to M-th output lines,
• wherein each of the M first driver ICs includes:
• N first pre-drivers that drive the respective gate terminals of the N first power transistors having the emitter terminals or the source terminals commonly connected to corresponding lines of the first to M-th output lines, and
• a first receiver integrated monolithically with the N first pre-drivers,
• wherein each of the N second driver ICs includes:
• M second pre-drivers that drive the respective gate terminals of the M second power transistors having the emitter terminals or the source terminals commonly connected to corresponding lines of the first to N-th input lines, and
• a second receiver integrated monolithically with the M second pre-drivers,
• wherein the first receiver is coupled with the first transmitter by AC coupling, and outputs a plurality of first control signals for control the N first pre-drivers in response to a plurality of signals received from the first transmitter, and
• wherein the second receiver is coupled with the second transmitter by AC coupling, and outputs a plurality of second control signals for control the M second pre-drivers in response to a plurality of signals received from the second transmitter.