Abstract: The output circuit uses an IGBT incorporating a normal latch-up operation measure and the ESD clamp circuit uses an IGBT that can more easily latch up than the output circuit device which has the latch-up prevention layer lowered in impurity density or removed.

Abstract: In a driving circuit, for controlling the turning on and off of a main semiconductor switching device of an insulated gate type, in an insulated gate semiconductor switching device for electric power conversion, bipolar semiconductor devices of an insulated gate control type, particularly insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are used at the output stage of a circuit that controls the gate voltage of the main semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: In a lateral IGBT structure equipped with an emitter terminal, comprising two or more second conductivity type base layers, per one collector terminal, the second conductivity type base layer in the emitter region is covered by a first conductivity type layer which has a higher impurity concentration than the drift layer, and width L1 of the gate electrode located between two adjacent emitters is 4 ?m or less, or in addition to that, width L2 of the opening for leading out an emitter electrode located between two adjacent gate electrodes is 3 ?m or less.

Abstract: A small-sized, low-loss load drive circuit, an integrated circuit for that drive circuit, and an inexpensive plasma display using that integrated circuit. In the load drive circuit that responds to switching commands to supply a high or low voltage to a load by switching, the source-drain voltage of an output-stage n-type MOS transistor of a flip-flop is supplied between the gate and cathode of a main IGBT. In order to hold this voltage, the power source to the flip-flop is supplied from a main power source or a charge pump power circuit connected at the fixed potential point of the main power source. In addition, a discharge prevention circuit and discharge prevention elements and are provided in order that the potential of the power source can be maintained higher than the positive potential of main power source.

Abstract: A plasma display apparatus having a plurality of display cells for prolonging the luminous brightness lifetime in the single-sided drive mode has a first sustaining electrode, a second sustaining electrode connected to reference potential and cooperating with the first sustaining electrode to perform sustain discharge through a discharge space of a display cell, and an address electrode, an electrical capacitance set up between the second sustaining electrode and the discharge space is larger than that set up between the first sustaining electrode and the discharge space.

Abstract: A lateral IGBT structure having an emitter terminal including two or more base layers of a second conductivity-type for one collector terminal, in which the base layers of a second conductivity-type in emitter regions are covered with a first conductivity-type layer having a concentration higher than that of a drift layer so that a silicon layer between the first conductivity-type layer covering the emitter regions and a buried oxide film has a reduced resistance to increase current flowing to an emitter farther from the collector to thereby enhance the current density.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method of a SOI type high withstand voltage semiconductor device formed on a support substrate via an insulation film, a small-sized semiconductor device having small dispersion of withstand voltage is manufactured by introducing impurities into the whole surface of a p-type or n-type SOI substrate having an impurity concentration of 2E14 cm?3 or less and serving as an active layer of the semiconductor device with an ion implantation method and thereby forming a drift layer.

Abstract: A MOSFET including a JFET resistor resultant between a drain region and a channel region caused by depletion of current carriers. Since most of the drain-source voltage is imposed on the JFET resistor, the voltage imposed on a channel region is reduced to prevent concentration of an electric field therein. The JFET resistor adjusts the saturation current of the MOSFET and hence the width of the gate electrode can be sufficiently secured. This also prevents concentration of an electric field onto the channel region. In the MOSFET, the saturation current is reduced while avoiding creation of hot carriers. It is therefore possible to provide an MOSFET suitable for an analog switch.

Abstract: A small-sized, low-loss load drive circuit, an integrated circuit for that drive circuit, and an inexpensive plasma display using that integrated circuit. In the load drive circuit that responds to switching commands to supply a high or low voltage to a load by switching, the source-drain voltage of an output-stage n-type MOS transistor of a flip-flop is supplied between the gate and cathode of a main IGBT. In order to hold this voltage, the power source to the flip-flop is supplied from a main power source or a charge pump power circuit connected at the fixed potential point of the main power source. In addition, a discharge prevention circuit and discharge prevention elements and are provided in order that the potential of the power source can be maintained higher than the positive potential of main power source.

Abstract: A current sensor has a power MOSFET Q1, connected between an electric load and a power supply, for controlling current that flows through said electric load, a mirror MOSFET Q2, connected in parallel to said power MOSFET Q1, in which a portion of the current flowing through said power MOSFET flows, and a current detection resistor RC connected between a source electrode of said power MOSFET and a source electrode of said mirror MOSFET. An inverting amplifier circuit CP of the current sensor 3 inverts and amplifies the voltage signal, which has been converted to voltage by the current detection resistor RC, and outputs the signal, thereby converting positive and negative voltages generated across the current detection resistor RC to a positive voltage.

Abstract: In order to provide an interface circuit, a power converter using the same and an electric vehicle using the same, wherein this interface circuit ensures improved control reliability without employing a photo-coupler, an interface circuit 100A transfers control signals to the power transistor in a large-current circuit 300 from a small-signal circuit 200 for driving a power transistor. The interface circuit 100A has a noise absorber 120 that electrically absorbs a noise voltage produced between the ground of the small-signal circuit 200 and that of the power transistor. The noise absorber 120 transfers to the power transistor the control signals generated by the small-signal circuit 200, without being affected by the noise voltage if produced.

Abstract: A current sensor has a power MOSFET Q1, connected between an electric load and a power supply, for controlling current that flows through said electric load, a mirror MOSFET Q2, connected in parallel to said power MOSFET Q1, in which a portion of the current flowing through said power MOSFET flows, and a current detection resistor RC connected between a source electrode of said power MOSFET and a source electrode of said mirror MOSFET. An inverting amplifier circuit CP of the current sensor 3 inverts and amplifies the voltage signal, which has been converted to voltage by the current detection resistor RC, and outputs the signal, thereby converting positive and negative voltages generated across the current detection resistor RC to a positive voltage.

Abstract: A current sensor has a power MOSFET Q1, connected between an electric load and a power supply, for controlling current that flows through said electric load, a mirror MOSFET Q2, connected in parallel to said power MOSFET Q1, in which a portion of the current flowing through said power MOSFET flows, and a current detection resistor RC connected between a source electrode of said power MOSFET and a source electrode of said mirror MOSFET. An inverting amplifier circuit CP of the current sensor 3 inverts and amplifies the voltage signal, which has been converted to voltage by the current detection resistor RC, and outputs the signal, thereby converting positive and negative voltages generated across the current detection resistor RC to a positive voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an engine driving system having a cell suitable for restarting an engine, wherein an engine is stopped at the time of stopping running of a vehicle and the engine is restarted at the time of starting running of the vehicle, there are provided an engine electronic control device for controlling the engine, a motor for restarting the engine and a cell for supplying an electrical power to the motor; the cell comprises an anode plate formed into a thin band-shape, a cathode plate formed into a thin band-shape and a band-like separator arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate; and the anode plate, the cathode plate and the separator form a group of wound pole plates and the group of pole plates is immersed in electrolysis solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is an engine driving system having a cell suitable for restarting an engine, wherein an engine is stopped at the time of stopping running of a vehicle and the engine is restarted at the time of starting running of the vehicle, there are provided an engine electronic control device for controlling the engine, a motor for restarting the engine and a cell for supplying an electrical power to the motor; the cell comprises an anode plate formed into a thin band-shape, a cathode plate formed into a thin band-shape and a band-like separator arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate; and the anode plate, the cathode plate and the separator form a group of wound pole plates and the group of pole plates is immersed in electrolysis solution.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a control device for a vehicular AC motor, which has higher efficiency of voltage utilization in a power running mode and has higher efficiency of electricity generation in an electricity generation mode. The motor control device comprises rectifying devices and switching devices for three phases, which are connected between a DC power source and armature coils of an AC motor operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine. The motor control device has the inverter function of converting a DC power from the DC power source into an AC power and supplying the AC power to the armature coils, and the converter function of converting an AC power generated by the AC motor into a DC power and supplying the DC power to the DC power source.

Abstract: An MIS gate type semiconductor device having a low resistive loss in the ON state and a wide safe operation region is disclosed. In this semiconductor device, the p-base layer of the thyristor and the emitter electrode are connected together using a suitable nonlinear device. As a result, lower loss and higher capacity of the semiconductor device can be realized in order not only to make it easy to turn ON the thyristor but also to make the safe operation region wide.

Abstract: A current sensor has a power MOSFET Q1, connected between an electric load and a power supply, for controlling current that flows through said electric load, a mirror MOSFET Q2, connected in parallel to said power MOSFET Q1, in which a portion of the current flowing through said power MOSFET flows, and a current detection resistor RC connected between a source electrode of said power MOSFET and a source electrode of said mirror MOSFET. An inverting amplifier circuit CP of the current sensor 3 inverts and amplifies the voltage signal, which has been converted to voltage by the current detection resistor RC, and outputs the signal, thereby converting positive and nega tive voltages generated across the current detection resistor RC to a positive voltage.

Abstract: In order to provide an interface circuit, a power converter using the same and an electric vehicle using the same, wherein this interface circuit ensures improved control reliability without employing a photo-coupler, an interface circuit 100A transfers control signals to the power transistor in a large-current circuit 300 from a small-signal circuit 200 for driving a power transistor. The interface circuit 100A has a noise absorber 120 that electrically absorbs a noise voltage produced between the ground of the small-signal circuit 200 and that of the power transistor. The noise absorber 120 transfers to the power transistor the control signals generated by the small-signal circuit 200, without being affected by the noise voltage if produced.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit or a semiconductor device has the current-voltage characteristic that, in a blocking state of the semiconductor circuit or the semiconductor device, a current gently flows for values of a voltage equal to or greater than a first voltage value but equal to or smaller than a second voltage value, whereas a current abruptly flows for values of a voltage greater than the second voltage value. Due to the current-voltage characteristic, energy accumulated in an inductance provided within the circuit is consumed by a differential resistance of the semiconductor circuit or a semiconductor, thereby preventing the occurrence of the electromagnetic noise and an excessively large voltage.