Patent ID: 9444449
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: H01L,H02M,H03K

Claim Text:
1. A system for power switching, comprising: a bidirectional bipolar transistor which has two first-conductivity-type emitter/collector regions separated by a bulk second-conductivity-type base region, and two distinct second-conductivity-type base contact regions which connect to the bulk base region in mutually separate locations; and first and second transistor-mode drive circuits, separately connected to the first and second base contact regions respectively; wherein each transistor-mode drive circuit is configured, as a voltage source, to selectively apply an adjustable voltage between the corresponding base contact region and the emitter/collector region which is nearest to that base contact region; and first and second diode-mode drive circuits, separately connected to the first and second base contact regions respectively; wherein each diode-mode drive circuit is configured to selectively connect the corresponding base contact region to the emitter/collector region which is nearest to that base contact region.