Bipolar Transistor Patents (Class 324/762.08)
  • Patent number: 11933859
    Abstract: In some examples, apparatus comprises a multiplexer (MUX) adapted to be coupled to a set of battery cells and configured to provide a voltage of a different battery cell in the set of battery cells based on a MUX control signal. Apparatus comprises a comparator coupled to the MUX and configured to compare a MUX output signal to a threshold voltage to provide a comparator output signal. Apparatus comprises a digital control circuit configured to provide the MUX control signal to the MUX, to store the comparator output signal, and to use a logic AND gate to provide an AND gate output signal based on the stored comparator output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Eric Frank Estes, Wallace Edward Matthews
  • Patent number: 11892514
    Abstract: An assembled battery monitoring device in the present disclosure includes: an excitation signal processor generates a excitation signal by processing an in-phase signal of an orthogonal reference signal generated by a signal generator; a current exciter generates an excitation current based on the excitation signal according to voltage signals, and energizes a battery cell; and an impedance measurer measures an AC impedance of the battery cell based on the excitation current measured by the current measurer and a voltage of the battery cell measured by the voltage measurer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soya Taniguchi, Yoshikazu Furuta, Takeshi Kondo, Kazutaka Honda
  • Patent number: 11874341
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an online state of a bonding wire of an Insulated Gate Bipolar Translator (IGBT) module comprises the following steps: Step 1, constructing a full bridge inverter circuit and an online measuring circuit and connecting two input ends of the online measuring circuit to a collecting electrode and an emitting electrode of an IGBT power module of the full bridge inverter circuit to realize a connection of the full bridge inverter circuit and the online measuring circuit; Step 2, establishing a three-dimensional data model of a healthy IGBT; Step 3, establishing a three-dimensional data model of the IGBT with a broken bonding wire; Step 4, optimizing a least squares support vector machine by adopting a genetic algorithm; and Step 5, estimating states of the three-dimensional data models obtained in the Step 2 and the Step 3 by utilizing the optimized least squares support vector machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yigang He, Kaiwei Li, Liulu He, Zhigang Li
  • Patent number: 11709196
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an RFIC apparatus, and more particularly, to an RFIC circuit having a test circuit, a test apparatus, and a test method thereof. Further, the disclosure relates to a method for estimating or determining a DC gain using a test apparatus and an RF circuit in a DC/AC test stage, and detecting defects of the RF circuit based on the estimated or determined DC gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Donggyu Minn, Daehyun Kang, Yonghoon Kim, Jihoon Kim, Hyundo Ryu, Jeeho Park, Sunggi Yang, Youngchang Yoon, Sehyug Jeon
  • Patent number: 11614486
    Abstract: A testkey includes two switching circuits and two compensation circuits. The first switching circuit transmits a test signal to a first DUT when the first DUT is being tested and functions as high impedance when the first DUT is not being tested. The second switching circuit transmits the test signal to a second DUT when the second DUT is being tested and functions as high impedance when the second DUT is not being tested. When the first DUT is not being tested and the second DUT is being tested, the first compensation circuit provides first compensation current for reducing the leakage current of the first switching circuit. When the first DUT is being tested and the second DUT is not being tested, the second compensation circuit provides second compensation current for reducing the leakage current of the second switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Wei Tsou, Chang-Ting Lo
  • Patent number: 11519955
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for testing a functional integrity of a transistor component, the method includes causing a first change of a charge state of an internal capacitance between control terminals of the transistor component; determining a capacitance value of the internal capacitance based on the first change of the charge state; causing a second change of the charge state of the internal capacitance; and evaluating a resistance value of an internal resistance between the control terminals based on the determined capacitance value and the second change of the charge state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alfons Graf
  • Patent number: 11506692
    Abstract: A test verification circuit is described herein for verifying proper operation of a tested circuit, such as a voltage hazard warning circuit, using an N-channel MOSFET configured for switching ON and OFF the test verification circuit during a power outage, and a voltage source that provides an input voltage to the N-channel MOSFET from a conserved power supply. The N-channel MOSFET provides temporary power from a conserved power supply to the test verification circuit upon activation by a user during a power outage, and the test verification circuit determines whether the tested circuit has been de-energized, remains energized, or there remains inadequate power to complete the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Automatic Timing & Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Clarke
  • Patent number: 11067629
    Abstract: Aspects of the present application are directed to an automated test equipment (ATE) and methods for operating the same for testing high-power electronic components. The inventor has recognized and appreciated an ATE that provides both high-power alternating-current (AC) and direct-current (DC) testing in a single test system can lead to high throughput testing for high-power components with reduced system hardware complexity and cost. Aspects of the present application provide a synchronized inductor switch module and both a high-precision digitizer and a high-speed digitizer for capturing DC and AC characteristics of a high-power transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack E. Weimer
  • Patent number: 11029351
    Abstract: RF (Radio Frequency, typically 500 MHz to 18 GHz) microstrip transistor test fixture which includes impedance transforming microstrip sections to pre-match the device (DUT) and wideband bidirectional signal couplers able to detect forward and reflected power waves and feed into an amplitude and phase measuring signal analyzer (such as a vector network analyzer VNA). Impedance pre-matching in the fixture allows reaching impedances (tuning) down to below 1? and power-match the power transistors (DUT), whereas the tuners alone can barely reach impedances of 5? at the DUT reference plane. Placing the couplers on transforming sections close to the DUT also allows for detection of the travelling signal waves with the smallest possible disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 10969440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring unit configured for monitoring a power converter of a wind turbine, the monitoring unit comprising: electric connection means configured for connecting the monitoring unit to one or more electric converter components, a cold area comprising a data communication interface, and one or more hot areas dedicated to obtain measurements from the one or more electric converter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KK WIND SOLUTIONS A/S
    Inventor: Bjørn Rannestad
  • Patent number: 10845428
    Abstract: A driver circuit associated with a power electronic system is disclosed. The driver circuit comprises a gate driver circuit configured to drive a switching circuit comprising a plurality of switches in parallel, each switch comprising a respective source bondwire. The driver circuit further comprises a bondwire fault detection circuit comprising a gate charge estimation circuit configured to measure a parameter of the switching circuit comprising a gate charge of the switching circuit or a parameter indicative of the gate charge associated with the switching circuit. The bondwire fault detection circuit further comprises a detection circuit configured to detect a fault associated with at least one source bondwire of the switching circuit, based on the measured parameter of the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Meiser, Benno Koeppl, Marcus Nuebling, Markus Zannoth, Alexander Mayer
  • Patent number: 10168393
    Abstract: A method for providing a miniature vector magnetometer includes embedding a micron-sized diamond nitrogen-vacancy (DNV) crystal into a bonding material. The bonding material including the embedded micron-sized DNV crystal is cured to form a micro-DNV sensor. A micro-DNV assembly is formed by integrating the micro-DNV sensor with a micro-radio-frequency (RF) source, a micron-sized light source, a reference bias magnet, and one or more micro-photo detectors. The micro-DNV assembly is operable to perform vector magnetometry when positioned in an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: John B. Stetson, Jr., Michael J. Hiltabidle, Peter G. Kaup, Arul Manickam, Sarah Simon
  • Patent number: 9772369
    Abstract: An apparatus provides precision measurement of voltage drop across a semiconductor switching element of a subsea device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anandarup Das, Ivar Haakon Lysfjord
  • Patent number: 9529037
    Abstract: The invention regards an method for estimating the end of lifetime for a power semiconductor device, such as an IGBT power module, comprising the steps of; establishing the temperature of the power semiconductor device, determining the voltage drop over the power semiconductor device for at least one predetermined current where the current is applied when the power semiconductor device is not in operation, wherein the end of lifetime is established dependent on the change in a plurality of determined voltage drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KK Wind Solutions A/S
    Inventors: Paul Bach Thøgersen, Bjørn Rannestad
  • Patent number: 9354269
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device, two series connections are arranged to be connected between respective split emitter electrodes and a gate electrode with Zener diode units connected in series to respective resistors, with the cathode sides thereof directed to the gate electrode side. The numbers of the Zener diodes in the Zener diode units in the respective series connections are different between the respective Zener diode units. Thus, a semiconductor device can be provided which is capable of detecting an open failure of a bonding wire regardless of the number of a plurality of the bonding wires connected in parallel, by a simple electrical test to make it possible to reliably sort out a semiconductor device with a wire open failure at an early stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigemi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9285406
    Abstract: In an impedance measurement system, a reference impedance (2) to be measured is periodically connected and disconnected by means of switch (3) in parallel to the unknown impedance (1) to be measured. The thus generated amplitude modulation of the measurement current is demodulated, and the amplitude of the demodulated signal is indicative of the reference impedance to be measured. Using a low frequency modulation of the reference impedance enables to measure the impedance of the reference impedance without disconnecting the unknown impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventor: Laurent Lamesch
  • Patent number: 9274148
    Abstract: A voltage detection circuit comprises a reference resistor including a terminal for receiving a first voltage; a reference transistor including a control terminal for receiving a second voltage; a comparator, including a first input terminal for receiving a converted voltage and a second input terminal for receiving the second voltage, for generating an output voltage; and a voltage dropping circuit series, comprising a plurality of voltage dropping circuits connected in a series, for converting an input voltage into the converted voltage; wherein the comparator indicates whether the input voltage matches a specific multiple of a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage, and the specific multiple relates to a number of the plurality of voltage dropping circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Anpec Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chieh-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9097759
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an energy storage device configured to store energy during an unclamped inductive switching test of a target device, and a switch device configured to shunt at least a portion of energy away from the target device in response to the target device changing from a breakdown state to a failure state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Daren W. Keller, John T. Andrews
  • Patent number: 9030221
    Abstract: A circuit structure of a test-key and a test method thereof are provided. The circuit structure comprises a plurality of transistors, a first conductive contact, a plurality of second conductive contacts and a plurality of third conductive contacts. The transistors are arranged in a matrix. The first conductive contact is electrically connected to one source/drain of each transistor in each column of the matrix. Each second conductive contact is electrically connected to the other source/drain of each transistor in a corresponding column of the matrix. Each third conductive contact is electrically connected to the gate of each transistor in a corresponding row of the matrix. In the method, a plurality of driving pulses are provided to the third conductive contacts in sequence, and a plurality of output signals are read from the second conductive contacts to perform an element-character analyzing operation when a row of the transistors is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Yu Tso
  • Patent number: 9030189
    Abstract: Photo-field-effect transistor devices and associated methods are disclosed in which a photogate, consisting of a quantum dot sensitizing layer, transfers photoelectrons to a semiconductor channel across a charge-separating (type-II) heterointerface, producing a sustained primary and secondary flow of carriers between source and drain electrodes. The light-absorbing photogate thus modulates the flow of current along the channel, forming a photo-field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Hartley Sargent
  • Patent number: 8922238
    Abstract: A test circuit includes a first test circuit. The first test circuit includes a first light-emitting diode (LED) and a first resistor. An anode of the first LED is connected to a power supply. A cathode of the first LED is connected to a collector of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) through the first resistor. An emitter of the BJT is grounded. A base of the BJT is connected to the power supply. A type of the BJT can be determined according to status of the first LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Xin Tu, Hai-Qing Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140368232
    Abstract: An assembly including an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is provided. The IGBT is coupled with a gate driver for receiving a gating signal to drive the IGBT and providing a feedback signal of the IGBT which indicates a change of a collector-emitter voltage of the IGBT. The assembly further includes a failure mode detection unit for determining whether the IGBT is faulted based on a timing sequence of the gating signal and feedback signal. The failure mode detection unit is capable of differentiating fault types including a gate driver fault, a failed turn-on fault, a short-circuit fault, a turn-on over-voltage fault and a turn-off over-voltage fault. Accordingly, an IGBT failure mode detection method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Tao Wu
  • Patent number: 8901951
    Abstract: Circuits for performing four terminal measurement point (IMP) testing of devices under test (DUT) is provided. The DUT and the circuit is to be defined on a semiconductor chip. The circuit includes a DUT having a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal of the DUT is connectable to a first terminal measurement point and a third terminal measurement point, and the second terminal of the DUT is connectable to a second terminal measurement point and a fourth terminal measurement point. A first transistor is provided to select access to the first terminal measurement point, a second transistor is provided to select access to the third terminal measurement point, a third transistor is provided to select access to the second terminal measurement point; and a fourth transistor is provided to select access to the fourth terminal measurement point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: PDF Solutions, Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Hess, Michele Squicciarini
  • Patent number: 8890555
    Abstract: An object is to provide a measuring method with high reproducibility in a bias-temperature stress test of a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor is used for a semiconductor layer. Provided is a measuring method of a transistor, which includes the steps of disposing a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor is used for a semiconductor layer in a measurement room having a light-blocking property, introducing dry air, nitrogen, or argon into the measurement room, and applying a predetermined voltage to a gate electrode of the transistor in the measurement room kept under an atmosphere where the dew point is greater than or equal to ?110° C. and less than or equal to ?60° C., whereby the amount of change in threshold voltage over time is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8866489
    Abstract: A test apparatus that tests a device under test, including a power supply section that supplies the device under test with power, a comparing section that detects a characteristic value indicating a state of the device under test and compares the characteristic value to a predetermined threshold value, a cutoff section that cuts off the power supplied from the power supply section to the device under test, based on a result of the comparison by the comparing section, and a control section that changes at least one of the threshold value of the comparing section and a detection timing at which the characteristic value is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8866507
    Abstract: A method for testing trap density in a gate dielectric layer of a semiconductor device having no substrate contact is provided in the invention. A source and a drain of the device are bilateral symmetric, and probes and cables of a test instrument connecting to the source and the drain are bilateral symmetric. Firstly, bias settings at the gate, the source and the drain are controlled so that the device is under an initial state that an inversion layer is not formed and traps in the gate dielectric layer impose no confining effects on charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Peking University
    Inventors: Ru Huang, Jibin Zou, Runsheng Wang, Jiewen Fan, Changze Liu, Yangyuan Wang
  • Patent number: 8823410
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a SiC BJT are provided. The SiC BJT comprises an emitter region, a base region and a collector region. The collector region is arranged on a substrate having an off-axis orientation of about 4 degrees or lower. Further, a defect termination layer (DTL) is arranged between the substrate and the collector region. A thickness and a doping level of the DTL are configured to terminate basal plane dislocations in the DTL and reduce the growth of defects from the DTL to the collector region. At least some of the embodiments are advantageous in that SiC BJTs with improved stability are provided. Further, a method of evaluating the degradation performance of a SiC BJT is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Andrei Konstantinov
  • Publication number: 20140152338
    Abstract: Provided is a low-cost and high-efficient system for measuring reliability of an electronic device. According to the present invention, a single input power source for applying power to an input terminal of a plurality of electronic device samples and a single output power source for applying power to an output terminal of the plurality of electronic device samples are provided. Further, an input switch having first switches of which the number corresponds to the number of the plurality of electronic device samples, the input switch being installed between the input power source and the input terminal so that the first switches are selectively switched to apply input power; and an output switch having second switches of which the number corresponds to the number of the plurality of electronic device samples, the output switch being installed between the output power source and the output terminal so that the second switches are selectively switched to apply output power are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jongmin LEE, Byoung-Gue Min, Chull Won Ju
  • Patent number: 8742778
    Abstract: A system for testing the existing protection schemes of a power converter. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level below an under-voltage threshold. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level above an over-voltage threshold. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the input bus. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the output bus. The system measures the system responses to these simulations against responses of a properly operating system and determines if the power converter's protection schemes are operating correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Brian J. Hruby, Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8717058
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus (IPD) includes a set value storage unit that stores a set value determined based on an initial characteristic value of the IPD, and a detector that detects characteristic degradation of the IPD based on a characteristic value of the IPD at given timing and the set value stored in the set value storage unit. Further, a method of detecting characteristic degradation of a semiconductor apparatus (IPD) includes storing a set value determined based on an initial characteristic value of the IPD, and detecting characteristic degradation of the IPD based on a characteristic value of the IPD at given timing and the stored set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Fukami
  • Patent number: 8704546
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a SiC BJT are provided. The SiC BJT comprises an emitter region, a base region and a collector region. The collector region is arranged on a substrate having an off-axis orientation of about 4 degrees or lower. Further, a defect termination layer (DTL) is arranged between the substrate and the collector region. A thickness and a doping level of the DTL are configured to terminate basal plane dislocations in the DTL and reduce the growth of defects from the DTL to the collector region. At least some of the embodiments are advantageous in that SiC BJTs with improved stability are provided. Further, a method of evaluating the degradation performance of a SiC BJT is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Andrei Konstantinov
  • Publication number: 20140103937
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices which utilize Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) techniques to measure degradation of electronic components are provided. Such measurements may be implemented while the components “live” or otherwise functioning within an overall system. In one embodiment, monitoring a power converter in a high power system is accomplished. In this embodiment, degradation of components within the power converter (e.g. metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), capacitors, insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and the like) may be monitored by processing data from reflections of an SSTDR signal to determine changes in impedance, capacitance, or any other changes that may be characteristic of components degrading. For example, an aging MOSFET may experience an increase of drain to source resistance which adds additional resistance to a current path within a power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicants: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: The University of Utah Research Foundation
  • Publication number: 20140070839
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device, two series connections are arranged to be connected between respective split emitter electrodes and a gate electrode with Zener diode units connected in series to respective resistors, with the cathode sides thereof directed to the gate electrode side. The numbers of the Zener diodes in the Zener diode units in the respective series connections are different between the respective Zener diode units. Thus, a semiconductor device can be provided which is capable of detecting an open failure of a bonding wire regardless of the number of a plurality of the bonding wires connected in parallel, by a simple electrical test to make it possible to reliably sort out a semiconductor device with a wire open failure at an early stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigemi MIYAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20140035611
    Abstract: A wafer test method of a power switch wherein a main IGBT and a current detecting IGBT that detects a current value of the main IGBT are integrally formed on the same semiconductor substrate is such that there is provided resistance means that causes an emitter current of the current detecting IGBT to flow through an emitter terminal of the main IGBT, the main IGBT and current detecting IGBT are energized simultaneously, thereby applying a constant current to a common collector terminal of the main IGBT and current detecting IGBT, and a current ratio (main current/detected current) between a main current of the main IGBT and a detected current of the current detecting IGBT is calculated from the current flowing through the current detecting IGBT, obtained from the voltage across the resistance means, and the constant current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeki Sato
  • Publication number: 20140021973
    Abstract: Provided is a power cycle test apparatus that eliminates the need to measure a thermal resistance in a power cycle test and that pursues power saving in the evaluation of IGBT reliability by exactly applying a required thermal stress through the automatic adjustment of a stress current. The power cycle test apparatus performs a power cycle test for an IGBT to be tested by applying a thermal stress to the IGBT to be tested through the intermittent application of a stress current thereto. The apparatus applies the stress current to the IGBT to be tested and thereafter applies a current for measurement to the IGBT to be tested to measure a collector-emitter voltage of the IGBT to be tested. The apparatus further obtains a junction temperature of the IGBT to be tested from the measured collector-emitter voltage and a temperature coefficient of the IGBT to be tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Michiya Kusaka
  • Patent number: 8604822
    Abstract: A method of assembling a testing apparatus for a full-power converter assembly includes coupling an electric power supply apparatus to an electric power grid. The method also includes coupling a direct current (DC) generation apparatus to the electric power supply apparatus. The method further includes coupling an electric power grid simulation device to the DC generation apparatus. The method also includes coupling a full-power converter assembly test connection to the electric power grid simulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Schroeder, Cyrus David Harbourt, Jie Shen
  • Patent number: 8564325
    Abstract: A voltage detection device including a multiplexer provided with a plurality of input channels connected to respective battery cells and an output channel connected to an analog-to-digital (AD) converter. The multiplexer is further provided with an additional input channel that is connected to a voltage source that supplies a fault detection voltage. A multiplexer controller is triggered by an input trigger signal to instruct the multiplexer to sequentially connect the input channels and the additional input channel to the output channel according to a predetermined voltage detection sequence. An abnormality detector determines that there exists an abnormality in the multiplexer controller on the basis of an output of the AD converter when the AD converter detects the fault detection voltage at a timing different from a normal timing defined by the voltage detection sequence. This enables the voltage detection device to self-diagnose the multiplexer controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tomomichi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 8441278
    Abstract: A stacked semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor device equipped with a first semiconductor chip 14 having a transistor circuit and protection diodes, and a second semiconductor device equipped with a second semiconductor chip 24 having a transistor circuit and protection diodes, and stacked on the first semiconductor device via a connection portion, wherein a power supply line connected to the first and second semiconductor chips is used in common, and a forward ON voltage of the protection diodes of the first semiconductor chip is set higher than a forward ON voltage of the protection diodes of the second semiconductor chip 24. When a connection test is executed, the forward ON voltage of the protection diodes of the first semiconductor chip or the second semiconductor chip is detected and then normal/open is judged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Yamanishi, Shinobu Kurosaka
  • Patent number: 8378669
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an integrated magnetic particle measurement device for detecting a presence or absence of magnetic particles in a sample volume includes at least one sensor cell having a differential sensor pair. An active sensor oscillator frequency is responsive to one or more magnetic particles situated within a sample volume. The sensor cell is configured to be operative in the absence of an externally applied magnetic field. A frequency measurement circuit provides as a time-multiplexed output a first count representative of the active sensor oscillator frequency and a second count representative of the reference sensor oscillator frequency. A calculated difference between the first count and the second count is indicative of a presence or an absence of one or more magnetic particles within the sample volume. An integrated magnetic particle measurement system array and a method for detecting one or more magnetic particles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Patent number: 8339151
    Abstract: This invention provides a high voltage thyristor valve multi-injection test method, it can meet one way valve and double valve operation test and over current test requirements. It has high equivalence and good flexibility. It includes FACTS double way thyristor valve and normal direct current thyristor valve operation tests and over current test. This method is novel, flexible, can carry out many different test and their mixture test and including the high voltage thyristor valve different tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: China Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Zhiyuan He, Guangfu Tang, Jialiang Wen, Kunpeng Zha
  • Publication number: 20120319720
    Abstract: A test circuit includes a first test circuit. The first test circuit includes a first light-emitting diode (LED) and a first resistor. An anode of the first LED is connected to a power supply. A cathode of the first LED is connected to a collector of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) through the first resistor. An emitter of the BJT is grounded. A base of the BJT is connected to the power supply. A type of the BJT can be determined according to status of the first LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECSION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YI-XIN TU, HAI-QING ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20120306528
    Abstract: An electrical circuit device includes a semiconductor component which has power terminals and a control terminal electrically insulated from the power terminals, for applying a control voltage, and a control terminal contact surface for contacting the control terminal for measuring the electrical behavior of the semiconductor component. A connection device is provided, via which the control terminal is electrically connectable to a series device, the connection device being transferable from a nonconductive state into a conductive state, in which the control terminal is connected to the series device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Holger Heinisch, Joachim Joos, Thomas Jacke, Christian Foerster
  • Patent number: 8319515
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting threshold voltage. A threshold voltage of a transistor of an integrated circuit is measured. A bias voltage, which when applied to a body well of the transistor corrects a difference between the threshold voltage and a desired threshold voltage for the transistor, is determined. The bias voltage is encoded into non-volatile storage on the integrated circuit. The non-volatile storage can be digital and/or analog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Paul Masleid, James B. Burr
  • Patent number: 8289030
    Abstract: A system is used with a plurality of modules, each module requiring galvanic isolation from the other modules. Galvanic isolators are employed, each having an input and an output, the output galvanically isolated from the input, the output responsive to the input according to a response characteristic of the isolator. Each module has, a respective first isolator and a respective second isolator. The input of each respective first isolator and each respective second isolator for each module is disposed controllably to receive an activation signal from the module indicative of a module fault to be annunciated or to receive a test signal from the module, the test signal being smaller than the activation signal. The outputs of the respective first isolators are aggregated to a first node and the outputs of the respective second isolators are aggregated to a second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sendyne Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Marten
  • Patent number: 8278963
    Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for detecting a power of a signal amplified in a power amplifier. A diode and a voltage bias source are used to shift a voltage of the signal taken at a base of an amplifying transistor of the power amplifier, to generate a positive signal. The positive signal is provided to a base input of an emitter follower exhibiting high input impedance to generate a power detector output which follows the positive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Adrian Long
  • Patent number: 8222914
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting threshold voltage. A threshold voltage of a transistor of an integrated circuit is measured. A bias voltage, which when applied to a body well of the transistor corrects a difference between the threshold voltage and a desired threshold voltage for the transistor, is determined. The bias voltage is encoded into non-volatile storage on the integrated circuit. The non-volatile storage can be digital and/or analog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Paul Masleid, James B. Burr
  • Publication number: 20120153977
    Abstract: To prevent an excessive current from flowing through a device under test. A test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a power supply section that generates a power supply voltage to be supplied to the device under test; an inductive load section that is provided in a path leading from the power supply section to the device under test; a first semiconductor switch that is provided in the path leading from the inductive load section to the device under test and is connected in parallel with the device under test; and a control section that turns the first semiconductor switch ON when supply of the power supply voltage to the device under test is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji AMANUMA
  • Patent number: 8178365
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having IGBT elements and transistors formed on a surface thereof is prepared. Electron beams are emitted all over the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Recombination centers are formed in the IGBT elements and the transistors. ON voltages of the transistors are measured by a measurement device, and lifetimes defined in the IGBT elements and the transistors are recovered by a prescribed annealing treatment. When the lifetimes are recovered, a control device controls an annealing treatment amount in the annealing treatment based on the measured ON voltages of the transistors such that ON voltages of the IGBT elements are each equal to a desired ON voltage. Variations in the ON voltages of a plurality of IGBT elements obtained from the semiconductor wafer are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Narazaki, Yukio Matsushita, Masashi Osaka, Shunsuke Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20120112785
    Abstract: A voltage detection device including a multiplexer provided with a plurality of input channels connected to respective battery cells and an output channel connected to an analog-to-digital (AD) converter. The multiplexer is further provided with an additional input channel that is connected to a voltage source that supplies a fault detection voltage. A multiplexer controller is triggered by an input trigger signal to instruct the multiplexer to sequentially connect the input channels and the additional input channel to the output channel according to a predetermined voltage detection sequence. An abnormality detector determines that there exists an abnormality in the multiplexer controller on the basis of an output of the AD converter when the AD converter detects the fault detection voltage at a timing different from a normal timing defined by the voltage detection sequence. This enables the voltage detection device to self-diagnose the multiplexer controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomomichi MIZOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120105094
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a SiC BJT are provided. The SiC BJT comprises an emitter region, a base region and a collector region. The collector region is arranged on a substrate having an off-axis orientation of about 4 degrees or lower. Further, a defect termination layer (DTL) is arranged between the substrate and the collector region. A thickness and a doping level of the DTL are configured to terminate basal plane dislocations in the DTL and reduce the growth of defects from the DTL to the collector region. At least some of the embodiments are advantageous in that SiC BJTs with improved stability are provided. Further, a method of evaluating the degradation performance of a SiC BJT is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Andrei Konstantinov