Patent ID: 7642817
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: H01L,H03K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for driving a semiconductor switching element, comprising: a first electrical node configured to be coupled to a gate of the semiconductor switching element; a second electrical node configured to be coupled to a collector of the semiconductor switching element; a third electrical node; a fourth electrical node; a first comparator having a first input coupled to the second electrical node and a second input coupled to the third electrical node; a second comparator having a first input coupled to the first electrical node and a second input coupled to the fourth electrical node; a first zener diode coupled to the third electrical node; a second zener diode coupled to the fourth electrical node; a first capacitor coupled to the third electrical node and in parallel with the first zener diode; and a second capacitor coupled to the fourth electrical node and in parallel with the second zener diode, wherein the apparatus is configured to monitor at least one state variable of the semiconductor switching element, to switch off the semiconductor switching element in at least two stages, and to set at the third electrical node both a first parameter and a second parameter, the first and second parameters affecting how the state is monitored, the apparatus being further configured to set at the fourth electrical node both a third parameter and a fourth parameter, the third and fourth parameters affecting a two-stage switching-off operation of the semiconductor switching element.