Patents by Inventor Bernhard Zojer
Bernhard Zojer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10454456Abstract: Disclosed is a method for driving a transistor device and an electronic circuit that includes a transistor device. The method includes driving the transistor device based on a drive signal such that the transistor device is driven in an on-state when the drive signal has an on-level and an off-state when the drive signal has an off-level. Driving the transistor device in the off-state includes: operating the transistor device in a first off-state after the drive signal changes from the on-level to the off-level; after the first off-state, operating the transistor device in a second off-state different from the first off-state; and after the second off-state, operating the transistor device in a third off-state different from the second off-state if the off-level of the drive signal prevails longer than a predefined maximum time period.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 10411008Abstract: Circuits and devices for bidirectional normally-off switches are described. A circuit for a bidirectional normally-off switch includes a depletion mode transistor and an enhancement mode transistor. The depletion mode transistor includes a first source/drain node, a second source/drain node, a first gate, and a second gate. The enhancement mode transistor includes a third source/drain node and a fourth source/drain node, and a third gate. The third source/drain node is coupled to the first source/drain node.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AGInventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20190068173Abstract: Disclosed is a method for driving a transistor device and an electronic circuit that includes a transistor device. The method includes driving the transistor device based on a drive signal such that the transistor device is driven in an on-state when the drive signal has an on-level and an off-state when the drive signal has an off-level. Driving the transistor device in the off-state includes: operating the transistor device in a first off-state after the drive signal changes from the on-level to the off-level; after the first off-state, operating the transistor device in a second off-state different from the first off-state; and after the second off-state, operating the transistor device in a third off-state different from the second off-state if the off-level of the drive signal prevails longer than a predefined maximum time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20180219008Abstract: Circuits and devices for bidirectional normally-off switches are described. A circuit for a bidirectional normally-off switch includes a depletion mode transistor and an enhancement mode transistor. The depletion mode transistor includes a first source/drain node, a second source/drain node, a first gate, and a second gate. The enhancement mode transistor includes a third source/drain node and a fourth source/drain node, and a third gate. The third source/drain node is coupled to the first source/drain node.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 9998110Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit including: a gate driver coupled to a first supply terminal and to an output terminal, the output terminal configured to be coupled to a gate of a switching transistor via an inductive element, the gate driver configured to receive a switching signal; provide a first gate activation voltage at the output terminal with a first output resistance when the switching signal transitions from a first state to a second state; provide the first gate activation voltage at the output terminal with a second output resistance after a first time of providing the first gate activation voltage at the output terminal with the first output resistance, the second output resistance being larger than the first output resistance; and provide a first gate deactivation voltage at the output terminal when the switching signal transitions from the second state to the first state.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20180131365Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit including: a gate driver coupled to a first supply terminal and to an output terminal, the output terminal configured to be coupled to a gate of a switching transistor via an inductive element, the gate driver configured to receive a switching signal; provide a first gate activation voltage at the output terminal with a first output resistance when the switching signal transitions from a first state to a second state; provide the first gate activation voltage at the output terminal with a second output resistance after a first time of providing the first gate activation voltage at the output terminal with the first output resistance, the second output resistance being larger than the first output resistance; and provide a first gate deactivation voltage at the output terminal when the switching signal transitions from the second state to the first state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 9960157Abstract: Circuits and devices for bidirectional normally-off switches are described. A circuit for a bidirectional normally-off switch includes a depletion mode transistor and an enhancement mode transistor. The depletion mode transistor includes a first source/drain node, a second source/drain node, a first gate, and a second gate. The enhancement mode transistor includes a third source/drain node and a fourth source/drain node, and a third gate. The third source/drain node is coupled to the first source/drain node.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AGInventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 9793260Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes conducting a reverse current through a first switch that includes a normally-on transistor coupled in series with a normally-off transistor between a first switch node and a second switch node. While conducting the reverse current, the first switch is turned-off by turning-off the normally-off transistor via a control node of the normally-off transistor and reducing a drive voltage of the normally-on transistor by decreasing a voltage between the control node of the normally-on transistor and a reference node of the normally-on transistor. After turning-off the first switch, a second switch coupled to the first switch is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Bernhard Zojer, Matteo-Alessandro Kutschak
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Publication number: 20170110448Abstract: Circuits and devices for bidirectional normally-off switches are described. A circuit for a bidirectional normally-off switch includes a depletion mode transistor and an enhancement mode transistor. The depletion mode transistor includes a first source/drain node, a second source/drain node, a first gate, and a second gate. The enhancement mode transistor includes a third source/drain node and a fourth source/drain node, and a third gate. The third source/drain node is coupled to the first source/drain node.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20170047841Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes conducting a reverse current through a first switch that includes a normally-on transistor coupled in series with a normally-off transistor between a first switch node and a second switch node. While conducting the reverse current, the first switch is turned-off by turning-off the normally-off transistor via a control node of the normally-off transistor and reducing a drive voltage of the normally-on transistor by decreasing a voltage between the control node of the normally-on transistor and a reference node of the normally-on transistor. After turning-off the first switch, a second switch coupled to the first switch is turned on.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Bernhard Zojer, Matteo-Alessandro Kutschak
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Patent number: 9559683Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first driver having a first output configured to be coupled to a control node of a normally-off transistor. The first driver is configured to drive a first switching signal at the first output in a cascode mode and configured to drive a first constant voltage at the first output in a direct drive mode. The circuit further includes a second driver having a second output configured to be coupled to a control node of a normally-on transistor that has a second load path terminal coupled to a first load path terminal of the normally-off transistor. The second driver is configured to drive a second switching signal at the second output in the direct drive mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 9479159Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a normally-off transistor, and a normally-on transistor comprising a second load path terminal coupled to a first load path terminal of the normally off transistor, and a control terminal coupled to a second load path terminal of the normally-off transistor. The circuit further includes a driver circuit having an output coupled to a control terminal of the normally off transistor, a first power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a first power supply terminal of a first power supply, and a second power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a second power supply terminal of a second power supply. The second load path terminal of the normally on transistor is further configured to be coupled to a second power supply terminal of the first power supply and to a first power supply terminal of the second power supply.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 9467061Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit for driving a control terminal of a switching transistor includes a driver having an output configured to be coupled to the control terminal of the switching transistor, a first power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a floating power supply, a second power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the floating power supply, and a switching input terminal configured to receive a switching signal. The circuit further includes a bias circuit having an output terminal configured to be coupled to a common-mode control terminal of the floating power supply, wherein the bias circuit is configured to provide a time dependent voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Bernhard Zojer, Matteo Kutschak
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Patent number: 9350342Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first normally-on transistor having a drain coupled to a first switching output node, a normally-off transistor having a drain coupled to a source of the first normally-on transistor, a driver circuit configured to receive a switching signal, the driver circuit having an output coupled to a gate of the first normally-on transistor, and a second normally-on transistor having a drain terminal coupled to a supply node, a gate terminal coupled to the output of the driver circuit, and a source terminal configured to provide an auxiliary voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20160065203Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a normally-off transistor, and a normally-on transistor comprising a second load path terminal coupled to a first load path terminal of the normally off transistor, and a control terminal coupled to a second load path terminal of the normally-off transistor. The circuit further includes a driver circuit having an output coupled to a control terminal of the normally off transistor, a first power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a first power supply terminal of a first power supply, and a second power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a second power supply terminal of a second power supply. The second load path terminal of the normally on transistor is further configured to be coupled to a second power supply terminal of the first power supply and to a first power supply terminal of the second power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20160065086Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit for driving a control terminal of a switching transistor includes a driver having an output configured to be coupled to the control terminal of the switching transistor, a first power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a floating power supply, a second power supply terminal configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the floating power supply, and a switching input terminal configured to receive a switching signal. The circuit further includes a bias circuit having an output terminal configured to be coupled to a common-mode control terminal of the floating power supply, wherein the bias circuit is configured to provide a time dependent voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Bernhard Zojer, Matteo Kutschak
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Publication number: 20160065204Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first normally-on transistor having a drain coupled to a first switching output node, a normally-off transistor having a drain coupled to a source of the first normally-on transistor, a driver circuit configured to receive a switching signal, the driver circuit having an output coupled to a gate of the first normally-on transistor, and a second normally-on transistor having a drain terminal coupled to a supply node, a gate terminal coupled to the output of the driver circuit, and a source terminal configured to provide an auxiliary voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20160065064Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first driver having a first output configured to be coupled to a control node of a normally-off transistor. The first driver is configured to drive a first switching signal at the first output in a cascode mode and configured to drive a first constant voltage at the first output in a direct drive mode. The circuit further includes a second driver having a second output configured to be coupled to a control node of a normally-on transistor that has a second load path terminal coupled to a first load path terminal of the normally-off transistor. The second driver is configured to drive a second switching signal at the second output in the direct drive mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Patent number: 9007103Abstract: In various embodiments, a switch circuit arrangement may include a switch circuit, a driver circuit and a supply circuit. The driver circuit may be configured to control the switch circuit. The supply circuit may be configured to power the driver circuit. The supply circuit may include a first circuit configured to modify an output impedance of the supply circuit to have a first impedance when the driver circuit controls the switch circuit to be in a conducting state and to have a second impedance when the driver circuit controls the switch circuit to change from a non-conducting state to the conducting state.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer
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Publication number: 20150035581Abstract: In various embodiment, a switch circuit arrangement is provided. The switch circuit arrangement may include a switch circuit, a driver circuit and a supply circuit. The driver circuit may be configured to control the switch circuit. The supply circuit may be configured to power the driver circuit. The supply circuit may include a first circuit configured to modify an output impedance of the supply circuit to have a first impedance when the driver circuit controls the switch circuit to be in a conducting state and to have a second impedance when the driver circuit controls the switch circuit to change from a non-conducting state to the conducting state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Bernhard Zojer