Patent ID: 9660551
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: H01L,H02M,H03K

Claim:
1. A method of operating a bidirectional bipolar transistor which has first and second first-conductivity-type emitter/collector regions in distinct locations separated by a bulk second-conductivity-type base region, and also has two distinct second-conductivity-type base contact regions which connect to the bulk base region in mutually separate locations, in respective proximity to first and second emitter/collector regions but not to each other, comprising the actions of: a) when low on-state resistance is desired, applying a base drive voltage to whichever of the base contact regions is then on the collector side of the device, relative to a collector voltage; and b) varying the base drive voltage while monitoring base current, to thereby find a target base drive voltage where differential conductance becomes detectable, above a present sensitivity threshold, with increasing base drive voltage; and operating the transistor at approximately the target base drive voltage.