Patent ID: 6724169
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: H01L,H02M,H03K

Abstract:
A controller for controlling a power device in response to an input signal wherein said power device includes a series connection of a first and second semiconductor device which are connected between first and second main power supply potentials with the conduction of at least said first semiconductor device being controlled by a control signal and with a common node of said first and second semiconductor device providing an output and with said input signal being generated as a function of said second main power supply potential, said controller comprising:first signal generating means for generating a first signal in response to said input signal; level shift means for changing an output level of said first signal to a value which is a function of said first main power supply potential in order to produce a second signal; and a first control signal generator means for generating said control signal for said first semiconductor device in response to said second signal, wherein said level shift means includes at least one level shifting semiconductor element wherein said semiconductor element is controlled by said first signal and said at least one level shifting semiconductor element exhibiting breakdown voltage characteristics whereby a breakdown voltage has a value not less than a voltage in the range between a value of said first and a value of said second main power supply potential.