Abstract: A method for operating at least one semiconductor switch using at least one pulse-width-modulated driver signal is disclosed. Digital data are transmitted in a modulated manner on the pulse-width-modulated driver signal. The digital data includes information about measurement variables and/or reference/control variables and/or manipulated variables for operating the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining fault states in a half-bridge circuit having at least a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch are connected in series with one another and each controllable by a control signal to switch between an open and a closed switching state. For each of the first and second semiconductor switches, an actual switching state and a setpoint switching state are determined. A bridge short circuit in the half-bridge circuit is identified if both (a) the actual switching state of the first semiconductor switch is different than the setpoint switching state of the first semiconductor switch and (b) the actual switching state of the second semiconductor switch is different than the setpoint switching state of the second semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A method for actuating a controllable semiconductor switch by switching the switch on an off in phases in a controlled manner using a control signal is disclosed. The method includes starting a time measurement at the beginning of at least one phase of the phase-wise on-and-off switching procedure to ascertain a time duration, wherein the time measurement is continued until a phase following the at least one phase of the phase-wise on-and-off switching procedure begins. The ascertained time duration is compared with a specified maximal time duration. If the ascertained time duration exceeds the specified maximal time duration, the semiconductor switch is actuated such that the semiconductor switch is switched into a specified operating state.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for switching a semiconductor switch from a first static switch state to a second static switch state by controlling a control connection of the semiconductor switch. The method includes switching the semiconductor switch in a current-controlled manner starting from the first static switch state in a first switching phase by applying at least one first specified actuating current at the control connection of the semiconductor switch in a controlled manner, and switching the semiconductor switch in a voltage-controlled manner in a second switching phase following the first switching phase by applying at least one first specified actuating voltage to the control connection of the semiconductor switch in a controlled manner until the second static switch state is reached. In this manner, switching losses are reduced.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining fault states in a half-bridge circuit having at least a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch are connected in series with one another and each controllable by a control signal to switch between an open and a closed switching state. For each of the first and second semiconductor switches, an actual switching state and a setpoint switching state are determined. A bridge short circuit in the half-bridge circuit is identified if both (a) the actual switching state of the first semiconductor switch is different than the setpoint switching state of the first semiconductor switch and (b) the actual switching state of the second semiconductor switch is different than the setpoint switching state of the second semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for switching a semiconductor switch from a first static switch state to a second static switch state by controlling a control connection of the semiconductor switch. The method includes switching the semiconductor switch in a current-controlled manner starting from the first static switch state in a first switching phase by applying at least one first specified actuating current at the control connection of the semiconductor switch in a controlled manner, and switching the semiconductor switch in a voltage-controlled manner in a second switching phase following the first switching phase by applying at least one first specified actuating voltage to the control connection of the semiconductor switch in a controlled manner until the second static switch state is reached. In this manner, switching losses are reduced.

Abstract: A method for actuating a controllable semiconductor switch by switching the switch on an off in phases in a controlled manner using a control signal is disclosed. The method includes starting a time measurement at the beginning of at least one phase of the phase-wise on-and-off switching procedure to ascertain a time duration, wherein the time measurement is continued until a phase following the at least one phase of the phase-wise on-and-off switching procedure begins. The ascertained time duration is compared with a specified maximal time duration. If the ascertained time duration exceeds the specified maximal time duration, the semiconductor switch is actuated such that the semiconductor switch is switched into a specified operating state.