Abstract: A panel system may include a core body having opposite sides and switching devices mounted to at least one of the opposite sides of the core body, a housing in which the core body and the switching devices are disposed, gate drivers coupled to a first side of the housing and to the switching devices, and connectors coupled to one or more other sides of the housing and to the switching devices. The connectors may receive and conduct a voltage to collector terminals of the switching devices. The gate drivers may conduct a gate voltage to gate terminals of the switching devices. The switching devices may control conduction of the voltage out of the housing via the connectors as an alternating current.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to an adapter driver board for parallel operation of power modules. The systems and methods receive an electrical signal at an input interface of a high voltage adapter board. The systems and methods may deliver the electrical signals to first and second switches along corresponding first and second conductive traces. The first conductive trace extends along the high voltage adapter board and is conductively coupled to the input interface and the first switch. The second conductive trace extends along the high voltage adapter board and is conductively coupled to the input interface and the second switch. The first and second conductive traces may have an inductance or other property that is substantially the same as each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating occurrences of dynamic avalanche events are presented. An electrical system may include a gate-drive unit electrically coupled to a semiconductor switching device and used to drive the switching device by applying a voltage to a gate terminal of the switching device. The electrical system may also include a controller that indicates the switching device to turn off and determines system parameters in response to the switching device turning-off. The controller may determine an intermediate gate voltage based at least in part on the system parameters and may modify the gate-drive unit configuration to apply the appropriate intermediate gate voltage to the gate terminal. The controller may additionally modify the gate-drive unit configuration to apply a turn-off voltage at the gate terminal subsequent to the application of the intermediate gate voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating occurrences of dynamic avalanche events are presented. An electrical system may include a gate-drive unit electrically coupled to a semiconductor switching device and used to drive the switching device by applying a voltage to a gate terminal of the switching device. The electrical system may also include a controller that indicates the switching device to turn off and determines system parameters in response to the switching device turning-off. The controller may determine an intermediate gate voltage based at least in part on the system parameters and may modify the gate-drive unit configuration to apply the appropriate intermediate gate voltage to the gate terminal. The controller may additionally modify the gate-drive unit configuration to apply a turn-off voltage at the gate terminal subsequent to the application of the intermediate gate voltage.

Abstract: A power switch apparatus for a power converter includes a semiconductor power switch and a gate drive unit connected to the semiconductor power switch for supplying gate drive signals to the semiconductor power switch to switch it on and off to cause the power converter to generate an alternating current voltage having a nominal operational frequency based on command signals received from a controller. The gate drive unit receives command signals based on the AC voltage to be generated and to alter the switching events of the semiconductor power switch by addition of a pre-defined jitter-like deviation to the gate drive signals such as to cause the power converter to generate an AC voltage having a modified operational frequency which partly and temporarily deviates from the nominal operational frequency by a pre-defined minimum percentage. A power converter comprising such a power switch apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The application discloses the control of switches, such as metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) devices, during surge events. The switch controllers and methods for operation thereof discuss methods for providing driving signals to the switch for adjusting the mode of operation based on the voltage and/or current thresholds as sensed by the system and/or by the switch controller.

Abstract: A power switch apparatus for a power converter includes a semiconductor power switch and a gate drive unit connected to the semiconductor power switch for supplying gate drive signals to the semiconductor power switch to switch it on and off to cause the power converter to generate an alternating current voltage having a nominal operational frequency based on command signals received from a controller. The gate drive unit receives command signals based on the AC voltage to be generated and to alter the switching events of the semiconductor power switch by addition of a pre-defined jitter-like deviation to the gate drive signals such as to cause the power converter to generate an AC voltage having a modified operational frequency which partly and temporarily deviates from the nominal operational frequency by a pre-defined minimum percentage. A power converter comprising such a power switch apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to measure a voltage across a two-state dipole. The systems and methods measure voltages across two measurement paths of operational circuitry at first and second sensor terminals. The operational circuitry is configured to decouple the first and second sensor terminal based on a dipole voltage. The systems and methods further estimate the dipole voltage based on the voltages of the two measurement paths.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to measure a voltage across a two-state dipole. The systems and methods measure voltages across two measurement paths of operational circuitry at first and second sensor terminals. The operational circuitry is configured to decouple the first and second sensor terminal based on a dipole voltage. The systems and methods further estimate the dipole voltage based on the voltages of the two measurement paths.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to an adapter driver board for parallel operation of power modules. The systems and methods receive an electrical signal at an input interface of a high voltage adapter board. The systems and methods further deliver the electrical signals to first and second switches along corresponding first and second conductive traces. The first conductive trace extends along the high voltage adapter board and is conductively coupled to the input interface and the first switch. The second conductive trace extending along the high voltage adapter board and is conductively coupled to the input interface and the second switch. The first and second conductive traces are each configured to have an inductance substantially the same. The systems and methods synchronously activate the first and second switches based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method includes detecting current from a first terminal of the switch to a second terminal of the switch, wherein the current exceeds a current limit for a linear region of the switch. The method includes controlling a gate voltage of the switch from a first voltage to a second voltage. The second voltage is configured to enable the switch to operate in an active region of the switch. The method further includes opening the switch when the switch is operating in the active region.

Abstract: A probe device includes a measurement stage and an output connection. The measurement stage has a circuit configured to be connected with a power device under measurement, to measure one or more of a voltage or a current of the power device under measurement. The measurement stage is configured for at least one of a power supply rail or a reference of the measurement stage to be coupled to an electrode of the power device when the one or more of the voltage or the current is measured. The output connection is configured to communicate one or more of the voltage or the current of the power device under measurement that is measured or a derived parameter to a digital processing device or an external computer acquisition system.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit for the power switch is disclosed. The gate driver circuit includes a resistor network coupled to the power switch. The resistor network includes a plurality of resistors and a control unit operatively coupled to the resistor network. The control unit detects an occurrence of a commutation phase and a saturation phase based on an identity of the power switch and corresponding time stamps associated with a start of a delay phase, the commutation phase, and the saturation phase. The control unit further controls the resistor network to provide different resistance values in at least two of a delay phase, a commutation phase, and a saturation phase when the power switch is transitioned to a first state. A method for driving the power switch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit for the power switch is disclosed. The gate driver circuit includes a resistor network coupled to the power switch. The resistor network includes a plurality of resistors. The gate driver circuit further includes a control unit operatively coupled to the resistor network. The control unit is configured to control the resistor network such that the resistor network provides different resistance values in at least two of a delay phase, a commutation phase, and a saturation phase when the power switch is transitioned to a first state. A method for driving the power switch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gate drive unit includes a measurement unit, a multi-resistive driving device, and a processing unit. The measurement unit measures a voltage across main terminals of a power switch. The driving device includes plural individually controllable resistive elements. The processing unit controls a control voltage applied to a control electrode of the power switch to activate the power switch. The processing unit individually activates or deactivates the resistive elements of the multi-resistive driving device to change which of the resistive elements at least partially conducts the control voltage to the power switch at different times responsive to the voltage across the main terminals representing a short circuit event. The processing unit changes which of the resistive elements are activated or deactivated to control a rate at which the control voltage decreases.

Abstract: A gate drive unit includes a measurement unit, a multi-resistive driving device, and a processing unit. The measurement unit measures a voltage across main terminals of a power switch. The driving device includes plural individually controllable resistive elements. The processing unit controls a control voltage applied to a control electrode of the power switch to activate the power switch. The processing unit individually activates or deactivates the resistive elements of the multi-resistive driving device to change which of the resistive elements at least partially conducts the control voltage to the power switch at different times responsive to the voltage across the main terminals representing a short circuit event. The processing unit changes which of the resistive elements are activated or deactivated to control a rate at which the control voltage decreases.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a standard value for a characteristic of a power switch and obtaining a measured value of the characteristic, via a gate drive unit connected to a gate terminal of the power switch. The method also includes determining a health state of the power switch by comparing the measured value to the standard value of the characteristic.

Abstract: A communication method includes detecting at a gate drive unit a change of state of a command signal that is received via a command link of the gate drive unit and initiating, responsive to the change of state of the command signal, a blanking period in which the gate drive unit will process as incoming data any further changes of state of the command signal. The method also includes receiving incoming data at the gate drive unit, by processing modulations of the command signal, within the blanking period.

Abstract: A method for reducing thermal cycling of a semiconductor power switch includes obtaining a value indicative of a junction temperature of the power switch. The method also includes selecting one of several pre-determined gate drive voltages, based on the obtained value, and providing the selected gate drive voltage to a gate of the power switch. This reduces thermal cycling of a power switch relative to the thermal cycling that would be present during operation at a single gate voltage.

Abstract: A power switch current estimator for a solid state power switch. The power switch includes a control terminal, an input current power terminal, and an output current power terminal. The power switch is further configured with at least one sense terminal. One or more parasitic elements define an electrical pathway between a power terminal and a corresponding sense terminal. A driver unit that selectively turns the power switch on and off is connected to the control terminal and a sense terminal. A current estimator generates an estimated level of current circulating through the solid state power switch in real time in response to one or more switching events of the power switch. The estimated level of current is based on values of at least one of the parasitic elements such that the estimated level of load current substantially corresponds to an actual level of load current circulating through the solid state power switch.