Abstract: A portable power generator with power monitor and control. The portable generator may include an alternator powered by an engine and configured to generate an alternator output, a first output receptacle coupled to the alternator output through a first switch, and a second output receptacle coupled to the alternator output through a second switch. The portable generator may further include a sensor unit configured to detect at least one output parameter of the first output receptacle. An electronic processor of the portable generator may be configured to receive first sensor signals indicating a measured quantity of the at least one output parameter of the first output receptacle and determine that the measured quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processor may also be configured to disable the first output receptacle in response to determining that the measured quantity exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A power system includes a bus, a first controller and one or more second controllers. The first controller is configured to excite a first generator to generate electric power on the bus in response to initiation of rotation of the first generator. The one or more second controllers are configured to excite one or more respective second generators with a constant excitation in response to initiation of rotation of the first generator. The second generator(s) are electrically coupled with the bus and configured to operate as a motor to commence synchronous rotation with the first generator in response to electric power being present on the bus. The second controller(s) are further configured to initiate dynamic adjustment of the excitation of the second generator(s) to generate electric power on the bus with the second generator(s) in response to the first generator and the second generator(s) synchronously reaching a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes transmitting, by the processor, a no-spin signal commanding the electric motor not to spin, receiving temperature information associated with a temperature of the electric motor, comparing the temperature information to a predetermined threshold temperature to determine whether the temperature is at a sufficient level to prevent icing, and adjusting current applied to the electric motor when the temperature measurement is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Provided is a motor control device having a function of estimating inductance and resistance of a motor for which inductance and resistance thereof are unknown. The motor control device includes a power converter, a current controller which calculates the voltage command input to the power converter using a detection result of a current value of a drive current of the motor, a current command generation unit which specifies a frequency for motor constant calculation on the basis of an electrical time constant of the motor, generates a sine wave of the frequency for motor constant calculation, and inputs the sine wave to the current controller as the current command, and a motor constant calculation unit which obtains a frequency response while the sine wave is input to the current controller as the current command, and calculates resistance and inductance of the motor from the obtained frequency response.

Abstract: A motor control device controls an induction motor driving a spindle of a machine tool, and includes: a spindle control unit that controls a rotational position or rotational speed of the spindle, and a secondary magnetic flux of the induction motor in accordance with an operation command based on an operation program of the machine tool; an advance detection unit that pre-reads the operation program, and detects a change in the operation command requiring to increase the secondary magnetic flux of the induction motor in advance; and an advance change unit that causes the secondary magnetic flux of the induction motor to increase prior to a change in the operation command in the spindle control unit, in a case of a change in the operation command being detected by the advance detection unit.

Abstract: A speed control system of a universal motor is electrically connected with a universal motor and includes a speed detecting unit and a controller. The controller is provided with a slow start unit, a speed control unit and a stopping-protecting unit. The slow start unit enables the rotating speed of the universal motor to increase smoothly, and the speed control unit controls and compensates the rotating speed of the universal motor in a way of closed loop, able to achieve effect of stepless speed adjustment and, when used at low speed, having cutting ability similar to that when operated at high speed. The stopping-protecting unit is able to automatically cut off power and carry out protection when machine table is stopped.

Abstract: A driving circuit that drives a Hall element for use in a brushless DC motor includes a reference-voltage generator that generates a reference voltage, an operational amplifier to which the reference voltage is input, and a resistance. One of input terminals and GND terminals of all of one or more Hall elements included in the driving circuit are connected to an output end of the operational amplifier. Predetermined potential is applied to the other of the input terminals and the GND terminals of all of the one or more Hall elements. The one or more Hall elements and the resistance are connected in series between a first power supply voltage and ground potential.

Abstract: A motor control device includes a rectifier which converts AC power into DC power and outputs it to a DC link, an inverter which converts the DC power of the DC link into AC power for each motor and outputs it, an AC voltage detection unit which detects an AC voltage value on the AC input side of the rectifier, a state determination unit which determines that a voltage dropped state has been set when the AC voltage value is smaller than a certain specified voltage and that a normal state has been set when the AC voltage value is equal to or larger than the specified voltage, and an output control unit which controls each motor in accordance with the amount of voltage drop with respect to the specified voltage of the AC voltage value when the state determination unit determines that the voltage dropped state has been set.

Abstract: Provided is an electric drive device which controls a current supplied to coils during normal operation so as to be less than a current limit value when normal, which is determined from heat generating properties and heat radiating properties of a thermally coupled body that includes the coils and an inverter circuit. When an abnormality in each group or each phase of the coils and the inverter circuit is detected, the supply of current to all phases of a group suffering an abnormality in the coils, or to a phase that is not capable of continuous operation, is stopped or reduced; and the limit value of the current supplied to a coil that is capable of continuous operation is reset to a current limit value in the event of abnormality, which is larger than the current limit value when normal, within the range of improvement of the heat generating properties of the thermally coupled body due to the stopping or reduction of the supply of current.

Abstract: Provided is a brushless DC motor (2) including: a stator (5) around which windings are around; a magnet rotor (6) configured to rotate by a power supply to the stator; an inverter circuit (11) connected to the stator; a position detector (7) configured to detect a positional relationship between the magnet rotor and the windings; a speed instruction unit (13) configured to output, as a speed instruction signal, a voltage corresponding to a rotation speed of the magnet rotor; a duty determination unit (12) configured to determine a duty of a voltage applied to the stator, based on the speed instruction signal; a drive controller (14) configured to distribute and output a duty signal based on the positional relationship and the duty; and temperature-sensitive resistance elements (15) configured to, by increasing the resistance in response to a temperature rise, reduce the voltage given as the speed instruction signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a drive motor of a vehicle in which a wound rotor synchronous motor is mounted includes: an inverter which controls a stator current supplied to a stator of the drive motor and a rotor current supplied to a rotor of the drive motor; and a drive motor controller which controls the inverter such that the stator current and the rotor current are supplied to the drive motor when a temperature of the rotor is less than a threshold value, and only the stator current is supplied to the drive motor when the temperature of the rotor is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power source includes a receptacle to receive a photofuel including a liquid, and one or more photovoltaic cells positioned within the receptacle to receive light emitted from the photofuel when the photofuel is in the receptacle. The photovoltaic power source also includes power circuitry coupled to the one or more photovoltaic cells to receive a photocurrent generated by the one or more photovoltaic cells when the one or more photovoltaic cells receive the light emitted from the photofuel. In response to the photocurrent, the power circuitry is coupled to output electricity.

Abstract: Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.

Abstract: Technologies for communication between an inverter and a solar module are disclosed. The disclosed technologies include monitoring a voltage and/or current of the solar module to determine a corresponding voltage waveform and/or current waveform and determining whether the voltage waveform and/or current waveform includes an encoded message. If a message is encoded in the voltage waveform and/or current waveform, the solar module may perform one or more actions. For example, the solar module may adjust an operating voltage, current, or power, adjust a switching frequency or duty cycle of one or more converters of the solar module, initiate a global maximum power point search, and/or other actions.

Abstract: A junction box is affixed to, and electrically coupled with, a solar panel. The junction box is configured to releasably engage and disengage accessory modules, thereby allowing accessory modules to be replaced or exchanged easily. Accessory modules are electrically coupled with other accessory modules in the solar panel string. The furthest downstream accessory module is connected to a wire harness, which is connected to a central combiner box.

Abstract: A photovoltaic inverter includes a box, and an inverter cabinet, a direct current cabinet, an alternating current cabinet, a communication cabinet, and a power distribution cabinet which are all arranged in the box. The inverter cabinet is arranged on a first side of the box. The alternating current cabinet, the communication cabinet and the power distribution cabinet are all arranged on a second side of the box. The alternating current cabinet, the communication cabinet, and the power distribution cabinet are all arranged opposite to the inverter cabinet. The direct current cabinet is arranged on a third side of the box, and the direct current cabinet is arranged on a same side of the inverter cabinet and the alternating current cabinet.

Abstract: An assembly includes a photovoltaic module including a solar cell and a cooling system including a heat pipe adapted to dissipate heat from the solar cell. A method includes dissipating heat from the solar cell using the heat pipe. The photovoltaic module may be disposed on a vehicle to convert solar energy into electricity.

Abstract: A system for evaluation of soiling of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules may comprise a first pair of solar PV modules exposed to the elements, a second pair of solar PV modules enclosed within a protective housing having a glass cover; a component coupling the glass cover to the protective housing. The component may be configured to displace the glass cover for a limited period of time to temporarily expose the second pair of solar PV modules to the atmospheric elements.

Abstract: A test apparatus for analyzing performance of a multi-junction solar cell can include a plurality of light source groups, each light source group including three or more light sources distributed over a substrate. Each sub-cell of the solar cell is associated with at least one of the light source groups, and each light source group primarily photoexcites the sub-cell of the light source group with which it is associated. The intensities of the various light source groups can are adjusted such that an output current of each of a plurality of calibration standards is within 2% of a predetermined current value. The test apparatus can then be used to test performance of the multi-junction solar cell.

Abstract: A quantum efficiency test controller (QETC) and related techniques for measuring quantum efficiency are described. The QETC performs one or more test iterations to obtain test results regarding quantum efficiency of a multijunction photovoltaic device (MPD) having a number N of photovoltaic junctions (N>0), where the QETC is associated with N bias light sources. During a test iteration, the QETC activates a grating monochromator to emit a first test probe of monochromatic light at a first wavelength; and while the grating monochromator is emitting the first test probe, iterates through and activates each of the N bias light sources to emit a corresponding bias band of wavelengths of light. After performing the test iteration(s), the QETC generates an output that is based on the test results related to the quantum efficiency of the MPD.

Abstract: Relax oscillation circuits have at least one comparison circuit that is structured with a flipped gate transistor and a normal MOS transistor wherein the two transistors having different threshold voltages. The relaxation oscillators are configured for charging and discharging capacitances between the threshold voltages of the flipped gate transistor and the normal MOS transistor by toggling the state of a latching circuit to control the charging and discharging of the capacitances.

Abstract: An oscillator includes a resonation element, a temperature sensitive element, a first package that houses the resonation element and the temperature sensitive element and is airtightly sealed, and a second package that houses the first package and is airtightly sealed. The first package includes a first base having a first recessed portion that is provided on one main surface side and a first lid that is joined to the first base so as to close an opening of the first recessed portion. The second package includes a second base having a second recessed portion that is provided on one main surface side and a second lid that is joined to the second base so as to close an opening of the second recessed portion.

Abstract: Superconducting device applications implemented with a surface acoustic wave resonator and a superconducting microwave resonator coupled to a Josephson ring modulator are provided. A method can comprise receiving, by a microwave Josephson mixer, and from a superconducting surface acoustic wave resonator of a superconducting device, a surface acoustic wave signal that comprises one or more phonons that resonate at a first frequency. The method can also comprise receiving, by the microwave Josephson mixer and from a superconducting microwave resonator of the superconducting device, a microwave signal that comprises one or more photons that can resonate at a second frequency. Further, the method can also comprise mixing, by the microwave Josephson mixer, the surface acoustic wave signal and the microwave signal based on a microwave control signal received from a microwave source operatively coupled to the microwave Josephson mixer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may have two signal paths: an open-loop modulator (which may comprise a digital-input Class-D amplifier) and a closed-loop modulator (which may comprise an analog-input Class-D amplifier). A control subsystem may be capable of selecting either of the open-loop modulator or the closed-loop modulator as a selected path based on one or more characteristics (e.g., signal magnitude) of an input audio signal. For example, for higher-magnitude signals, the closed-loop modulator may be selected while the open-loop modulator may be selected for lower-magnitude signals. In some instances, when the open-loop modulator is selected as the selected path, the closed-loop modulator may power off, which may reduce power consumption. In addition, one or more techniques may be applied to reduce or eliminate user-perceptible audio artifacts caused by switching between the open-loop modulator and the closed-loop modulator, and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate (i) a variable current and (ii) a constant current. The variable current may be proportional to a temperature of the first circuit. The second circuit may be configured to present a resistance through a plurality of first transistors between two ports in response to both the variable current and the constant current. The resistance may have a predefined dependence on the temperature.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first current source of a first type, a common-source gain device, a load, a second current source of a second type, a first common-mode network, and a second common-mode network. The first current source pulls a first bias current from a source node according to a first bias voltage. The common-source gain device receives an input voltage and outputs an output current to a drain node according to the first bias current. The load provides a termination to the drain node. The second current source outputs a second bias current to the drain node according to a second bias voltage. The first common-mode network outputs the first bias voltage according to a constant-gm reference current. The second common-mode network outputs the second bias voltage according to a difference between a mean voltage at the drain node and a scaled reference voltage.

Abstract: The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for stabilization of the direct learning algorithm for wideband signals. Thereby, a signal to be amplified is input to a pre-distorter provided for compensating for non-linearity of the power amplifier, and the pre-distorted output signal from the pre-distorter is forwarded to the power amplifier. Parameters of the pre-distorter are adapted based on an error between the linearized signal output from the power amplifier and the signal to be amplified using an adaptive direct learning algorithm, and the linear system of equations formed by the direct learning algorithm are solved using a conjugate gradient algorithm, wherein, once per direct learning algorithm adaptation, at least one of the initial residual and the initial direction of the conjugate gradient algorithm are set based on the result of the previous adaptation.

Abstract: A Wilkinson Combiner circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes first and second input ports, and a resistive-capacitive (RC) network coupled there between. The circuit further includes an amplifier having an amplifier input node, and a coupled inductor. The coupled inductor includes first, second, and third terminals, coupled to the first input port, the second input port, and the amplifier input node, respectively. Signals conveyed from the first and second input ports are passed through the corresponding portions of the coupled inductor, are combined into a composite signal and amplified by the amplifier.

Abstract: A microphone array is disclosed. In an embodiment a microphone array includes a power supply circuit arrangement, at least one microphone circuit and a voltage detector. The power supply arrangement includes a switched-mode power supply circuit configured to generate at least two different levels of output voltage. The at least one microphone circuit includes a microphone transducer, and audio amplifier, a switchable voltage regulator circuit supplying the amplifier. The voltage detector is configured to switch the output voltage of the voltage regulator circuit depending on the voltage supplied by the switched-mode power supply circuit.

Abstract: A power amplifier is provided having an input for receiving a signal to be amplified that is associated with a fundamental frequency. An amplifier circuit of the power amplifier includes an active device for amplifying the input signal and an output for providing the amplified signal to a load. A load network is electrically interposed between the amplifier circuit and the output and includes fundamental frequency matching circuitry which presents an optimal resistance at the fundamental frequency. The load network further includes a parallel transmission line arrangement having, at the fundamental frequency, a one-eighth wavelength short-circuited stub and a one-eighth wavelength open-circuit stub. The fundamental frequency matching circuitry and the parallel transmission line arrangement cooperate such that the load network operatively presents an optimal resistance at the fundamental frequency, an open-circuit at a second harmonic frequency and a short-circuit at a third harmonic frequency.

Abstract: A programmable a fully-differential programmable gain amplifier for reducing distortion, switching transients and interference, and improving bandwidth. In one embodiment, the amplifier includes a programmable gain module, an amplifier coupled to the current mode outputs and a data latch circuit of the programmable gain module, the amplifier configured to apply common mode voltage to the data latch circuit, and a current-to-voltage converter. In one embodiment, the fully-differential programmable gain amplifier controls distortion and switching interference during amplification by sensing common mode signals to produce an error signal, and applying the resulting error signal to the programmable gain module for multiplying digital to analog conversion.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a player based on the addition of a second player are disclosed. In an embodiment, when a first player no longer needs to play certain audio frequencies due to the addition of a second player, the gain of the first player is automatically increased as part of the setup process. In another embodiment, when a first player needs to play certain audio frequencies, for example due to the removal of a second player, the gain of the first player is automatically decreased. Many other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a processing device (10) which includes a sound collection unit (11) that collects an environmental sound outside a vehicle with plural microphones and a processing unit (12) that amplifies the environmental sound collected by the sound collection unit (11) and causes the amplified sound to be output to an inside of the vehicle. The processing unit (12) sets an amplification factor of the environmental sound collected by some microphones to be different from an amplification factor of the environmental sound collected by other microphones.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for adjusting a level of an audio signal. An audio signal is divided into a plurality of frequency bands. Modification parameters are obtained for at least one of the plurality of frequency band. Gain factors are derived for at least one of the plurality of frequency bands, the gain factors determined based on the amplitude scale factors. The gain factors are smoothed. A level of noise from noise compensation factors is determined. The gain factors are applied to at least one of the frequency bands to generate gain adjusted frequency bands. The level of noise is adjusted based on the gain adjusted frequency bands. At least one of the frequency bands is filtered with a filter generated with the filter coefficients. The plurality of frequency bands is synthesized to generate an output audio signal.

Abstract: A radio-frequency module utilizing carrier aggregation includes a switch circuit that includes one input terminal and three or more output terminals and that simultaneously connects the input terminal and each of two or more output terminals selected from the output terminals, signal paths that propagate signals of corresponding frequency bands, band pass filters in the signal paths, and variable matching circuits in the signal paths. The circuit states of the variable matching circuits are changed in accordance with a combination of two or more signal paths simultaneously connected to the input terminal.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator including a substrate, an active vibration region including, sequentially stacked on the substrate, a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode, and a horizontal resonance suppressing part formed from and disposed in the piezoelectric layer, the horizontal resonance suppressing part having piezoelectric physical properties that are different from piezoelectric physical properties of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator includes: a support part disposed on a substrate; a layer disposed on the support part, wherein an air cavity is formed between the support part, the substrate and the layer; and a frame extending along the layer, within the air cavity, and spaced apart from the support part.

Abstract: The present application describes embodiments of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor based on a combinationof a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducer and two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) or two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) conducting structure, and its use in chemical detection and (bio)molecular diagnostics. The SAW RFID sensor chip contains apiezoelectric substrate, on which a multilayer heterojunction structure is deposited. The heterojunction structure comprises atleast two layers, a buffer layer and a barrier layer, wherein both layers are grown from III-V single-crystalline or polycrystallinesemiconductor materials, such as GaN/AlGaN. Interdigitated transducers (IDTs) transducing SAWs are installed on top of thebarrier layer. A 2DEG or 2DHG conducting channel is formed at the interface between the buffer and barrier layers and provideselectron or hole current in the system between the non-ohmic (capacitively-coupled) source and drain contacts connected to the formed channel.

Abstract: A filter includes a series-arm resonator connected on a path connecting input/output terminals, and first and second parallel-arm resonators connected between the same node on the path and ground. A resonant frequency of the second parallel-arm resonator is higher than a resonant frequency of the first parallel-arm resonator, and an anti-resonant frequency of the second parallel-arm resonator is higher than an anti-resonant frequency of the first parallel-arm resonator. Each of the first and second parallel-arm resonators includes an acoustic wave resonator including an IDT electrode. The IDT electrode in the second parallel-arm resonator has a higher duty ratio than the IDT electrode in the first parallel-arm resonator, where the duty ratio is the ratio of the width to the pitch of electrode fingers.

Abstract: A sample rate converter (“SRC”) for implementing a rate conversion L/M is described wherein data is input to the SRC at an input rate (“Fin”) and output from the SRC at an output rate (“Fout”) equal to Fin*L/M. The SRC includes a low pass filter (“LPF”) including P multiply-add instances, wherein P is a parallelization factor of the SRC; an input formatter for arranging samples received at the SRC in accordance with the rate conversion L/M and providing P*Tpp input samples to the filter at a given time, wherein Tpp is a number of taps per phase of the LPF; and a coefficient bank for storing a plurality of coefficients and for providing P*Tpp of the coefficients to the LPF at a given time.

Abstract: New measurement inputs for Kalman Filter or similar estimation approaches (at each sample) may include: DSRC messages from roadside transmitters (RSTs), such as: how long it takes for a DSRC signal from one or more fixed RSTs to reach the vehicle and comparison of that information with vehicle position estimates from a signal propagation model, which is based on how long it takes a DSRC signal to reach the vehicle GPS location from a fixed known RST location. From such measurements, it can be determined how much longer (or shorter) it takes to receive the RST message compared to the previous sample, which, in turn, gives an idea how far the vehicle has moved over a sample relative to a fixed RST location.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is disclosed to provide reduced phase noise at higher operating frequencies. A buffer-first VCO configured according to an embodiment includes multiple VCO core circuits configured to provide synchronously tuned oscillator signals. Each VCO core circuit is coupled to a summing node through a buffer circuit that generates uncorrelated phase noise such that the summing node provides a summation output of the oscillator signals with reduced phase noise. A multiplexer-less VCO configured according to an embodiment includes multiple buffer-first VCO circuits configured to provide oscillator signals covering a range of frequencies. Each buffer-first VCO circuit is controlled or selected by an enable signal. Buffer circuits are configured to select one of the buffer-first VCO circuits for coupling to a transmission line during a given time period based on the enable signal. The transmission line is terminated in a matched impedance at each end of the line.

Abstract: A circuit and method are provided. The method couples a first bias signal to a first internal node via a first resistor, couples a second bias signal to a second internal node via a second resistor, couples the first internal node to a ground node via a N-type switch, couples the second internal node to a power supply node via a P-type switch. The method further couples the first internal node to the second internal node via a transmission gate, couples a terminal to the first internal node via a first capacitor, and couples the terminal to the second internal node via a second capacitor.

Abstract: A noise detection circuit includes a first delay circuit which has a propagation delay of a first delay time when a signal propagates therethrough and a second delay circuit which has a propagation delay of a second delay time when the signal propagates therethrough, and outputs, based on a sum of the first delay time and the second delay time, a detection result indicating the magnitude of noise on power supply voltage applied to the first delay circuit and the second delay circuit. A control unit controls, based on the detection result, a frequency of a clock signal supplied to a circuit unit to which the power supply voltage is applied and the second delay time in such a manner as to exhibit an opposite behavior to a change in the first delay time induced by temperature.

Abstract: A flip-flop includes an input interface, a first latch, a third inverter, and a second latch. The third inverter and the fifth inverter include first transistors of a first type formed between a first power contact and a second power contact supplied with a power supply voltage on first-type fins, and second transistors of a second type formed between a first ground contact and a second ground contact supplied with a ground voltage on second-type fins.

Abstract: An eye diagram observation device is provided. The eye diagram observation device includes an eye diagram determination circuit and a clock generator. The eye diagram determination circuit obtains an eye diagram corresponding to an input signal pair based on a delayed sampling clock. The clock generator includes a voltage to time converter (VTC). The VTC generates a delayed clock based on a voltage value of an input voltage. The clock generator generates the delayed sampling clock based on the delayed clock. The eye diagram observation device may reduce power consumption and a layout area via the VTC.

Abstract: A bootstrap circuit including: a charge pump; a power unit including a bootstrap capacitor, wherein the bootstrap capacitor is charged using an output voltage of the charge pump; and a switch driver for generating a bootstrap signal based on a clock signal and an analog signal, wherein the analog signal is input to an analog switch, the switch driver for controlling the analog switch using the bootstrap signal, and including a first body switch connected between an input terminal and a body of the analog switch.

Abstract: A suppressing circuit is provided with a diode of which an anode is connected to a first neutral point between a drive circuit and a control electrode of a semiconductor switch; a capacitor disposed between a cathode of the diode and a reference potential; a constant voltage circuit connected to a second neutral point between the diode and the capacitor; an adjusting resistor disposed between the constant voltage circuit and the second neutral point; and a cutoff switch disposed between a constant voltage circuit side of the adjusting resistor and the reference potential.

Abstract: Circuits and devices are provided for reliably holding a normally-off Gallium Nitride (GaN) power transistor, such as a Gate Injection Transistor (GIT), in a non-conducting state when a gate of the power transistor is not driven with an active (turn-on) control signal. This is accomplished by coupling a normally-on pulldown transistor between the gate and the source of the power transistor, such that the pulldown transistor shorts the gate to the source when the power transistor is not set for its conducting state. The pulldown transistor is preferably located on the same semiconductor die as, and in close proximity to, the power transistor, so as to avoid spurious noise at the power transistor gate that may unintentionally turn on the power transistor. A pulldown control circuit is coupled to the gate of the pulldown transistor and autonomously turns off the pulldown transistor when the power transistor is set to conduct.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a normally-off transistor which comprises a first source, a first drain, and a first gate, a normally-on transistor which comprises a second source connected electrically to the first drain, a second drain, and a second gate, a gate drive circuit which drives the first gate and the second gate, a first resistor which is connected between an output node of the gate drive circuit and the first gate, a second resistor and a first capacitor which are connected in series between the output node and the second gate, a first rectifier element which comprises a first anode and a first cathode, a second rectifier element which comprises a second anode and a second cathode, a first inductor, a second inductor, and a second capacitor and a third inductor which are connected in series between the first source and the second source.