ACTIVE GATE DRIVE CIRCUIT

• US 20130181750A1
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Ltd.)
• Inventors: LOBSIGER, Yanick, KOLAR, Johann Walter, LAITINEN, Matti
• Granted Patent: US 8,710,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 327/109
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/06 Modifications for ensuring a fully conducting state
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/08148 in composite switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/0828 in composite switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/166 Soft switching
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/168 in composite switches

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a gate drive circuit and a method for controlling a gate-controlled component. The gate drive circuit includes a PI controller that receives an input reference signal (v_ref,d/dt) controls a gate voltage of the gate-controlled component. The gate drive circuit also includes a first feedback loop for the PI controller adapted to provide feedback from a time derivative of a collector-to-emitter voltage (v_CE) of the controlled component. The first feedback loop has a first gain (k_v). A second is provided in the gate drive circuit feedback loop for the PI controller that provides feedback from the time derivative of the collector current (i_C) of the controlled component. The second feedback loop has second gain (k_i) and includes a clipping circuit that modifies the feedback signal in the second feedback loop during turn-on of the controlled component when the time derivative of the collector current is negative.

Claims

1. A gate drive circuit for controlling a gate-controlled component comprising:

a PI controller configured to receive an input reference signal (v_ref,d/dt) and to control a gate voltage of the gate-controlled component;

a first feedback loop for the PI controller that provides feedback from a time derivative of a collector-to-emitter voltage (v_CE) of the controlled component, the first feedback loop having first gain (k_v); and

a second feedback loop for the PI controller that provides feedback from a time derivative of the collector current (i_C) of the controlled component, the second feedback loop having second gain (k_i),

wherein the second feedback loop includes a clipping circuit that modifies the feedback signal in the second feedback loop during turn-on of the controlled component when the time derivative of the collector current is negative.

2. The gate drive circuit according to claim 1, comprising:

a gate current control loop connected to the PI controller, wherein the control loop receives a feedback signal from the gate current and is configured to control the gate current during turn-on and turn-off delays.

3. The gate drive circuit according to claim 1, comprising:

a buffer circuit (BUF) that amplifies an output signal from the PI controller to drive the gate-controlled component.

4. The gate drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the clipping circuit comprises a controlled component for enabling the clipping circuit.

5. The gate drive circuit according to claim 4, wherein the controlled component is a voltage-controlled switch.

6. The gate drive circuit according to claim 4, wherein once enabled, the clipping circuit limits the output.

7. The gate drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first feedback loop includes a capacitor that is connected to receive a collector-to-emitter voltage of the controlled component, and

wherein the time derivate of the collector-to-emitter voltage is determined as a voltage level due to the capacitor being responsive to the collector-to-emitter voltage change.

8. The gate drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the time derivative of the collector current is determined as a voltage level from the voltage over a known inductance of the circuit.

9. The gate drive circuit according to claim 8, wherein the known inductance of the circuit is a parasitic bonding wire inductance of the emitter.

10. A method for controlling a gate-controlled component by using a PI controller adapted to receive an input reference signal (v_ref,d/dt) and to control a gate voltage of the gate-controlled component, the method comprising:

providing the input reference signal (v_ref,d/dt) to the PI controller;

obtaining, via a first feedback loop, a first feedback signal for the PI controller from a time derivative of a collector-to-emitter voltage (v_CE) of the controlled component;

obtaining, via a second feedback loop, a second feedback signal for the PI controller from the time derivative of the collector current (i_C) of the controlled component; and

modifying the feedback signal in the second feedback loop during turn-on of the controlled component when the time derivative of the collector current is negative.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a capacitor is connected to receive a collector-to-emitter voltage of the gate-controlled component, the method comprising:

determining the time derivate of the collector-to-emitter voltage as a voltage level based on a capacitor that is responsive to a change in the collector-to-emitter voltage.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein a gate current control loop is connected to the PI controller, the method comprising:

controlling the gate current during turn-on and turn-off delays based on a feedback signal received by the gate current control loop.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second feedback loop includes a clipping circuit, the method comprising:

enabling the clipping circuit via a controlled component.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the clipping circuit includes a voltage-controlled switch and enabling the clipping circuit comprises:

applying a voltage to a gate of the voltage-controlled switch.

15. The method according to claim 13, comprising:

limiting an output of the gate drive circuit when the clipping circuit is enabled.