International Rectifier Corporation

Shahin Maloyan

Ajit Dubhashi

Joshua Polack

A switch in an inductive circuit is prevented from avalanche operation when the switch is turned off. By preventing avalanche, the associated EMI is reduced or eliminated. Switch avalanche can be prevented using an active component, such as a transistor, or a passive component, such as a resistor, coupled to the switch gate to control current in the switch gate. By controlling current in the switch gate during turn-off, avalanche operation can be prevented without a significant increase in turn-off energy.

Gate control circuit for prevention of turn-off avalanche of power MOSFETs

A semiconductor module has a conductive heat sink base which receives a power semiconductor and a printed circuit board mounted above the heat sink and carrying control circuits for the power semiconductor. A rigid L-shaped terminal connected to one electrode of the power semiconductor is mounted on the base and extends upward and adjacent an edge of the printed circuit board. A Hall sensor is mounted on the printed circuit board and is disposed in and intercepts the magnetic field produced by current in the terminal. Magnetic bodies are mounted on opposite sides of the Hall element to concentrate the magnetic field through the Hall sensor.

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Northridge, CA, United States of America

Shahin Maloyan