Rectifier device with stand-by detection capability

A rectifier device comprising:

• a plurality of transistor cells integrated in a semiconductor substrate;
• a first transistor being composed of transistor cells included in the plurality of transistor cells, the first transistor connecting a reference terminal and a substrate terminal of the rectifier device;
• a diode connecting the reference term Ma and the substrate terminal of the rectifier device;
• a control circuit that is integrated in the semiconductor substrate and configured to switch on the first transistor for an on-time period, during which the diode is forward biased;
• and
• a stand-by detection circuit comprising:
• a cycle detection circuit configured to detect cycles of a substrate voltage applied to the substrate terminal;
• and
• a timer coupled to the cycle detection circuit;
• the timer being configured to be reset by the cycle detection circuit upon detection of a cycle of the substrate voltage, and to disconnect a supply line from the substrate terminal to the control circuit unless reset before a maximum time span has elapsed.

A method for operating a rectifier device that comprises a semiconductor switch and a diode coupled in parallel between a first and a second terminal;

• the method comprising:
• using a control circuit to detect that the diode is forward biased and to activate the semiconductor switch to bypass the diode upon detection that the diode is forward biased;
• continuously detecting new cycles of an alternating input voltage applied across the diode and the semiconductor switch;
• disconnecting a supply line of the control circuit unless a new cycle of the alternating input voltage is detected before a maximum time span has elapsed.