Patent ID: 6208185
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A gate drive circuit for IGBTs comprising:(a) turn-on switch means for providing low resistance rapid charging of the gate of an IGBT;(b) turn-on controlled current means for providing controlled current charging of the gate of the IGBT; and(c) means for turning on the turn-on switch means to provide low resistance rapid charging of the gate of an IGBT during a first turn-on stage after receipt of a main command turn-on signal, means for turning on the turn-on controlled current means to provide controlled current charging of the gate of the IGBT during a second turn-on stage that follows the first turn-on stage, and means for turning on the turn-on switch means to provide rapid low resistance final charging of the gate of the IGBT to a turn-on voltage supply level during a third turn-on stage that follows the second turn-on stage and for maintaining the turn-on supply voltage level at the gate while the main turn-on signal is present.