Patent ID: 8471604
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: H02M,H03K

Abstract:
1. A drive circuit for driving a number of series connected active power semiconductor groups, each of the active power semiconductor groups comprising one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices, the drive circuit comprising: a control module; a current pulse generation module structured to generate a current pulse based on an output of the control module; a transformer unit coupled to the current pulse generation module, the transformer unit being structured to receive the current pulse at a primary portion of the transformer unit and in response thereto cause a number of reflected current pulses to be reflected at a secondary portion of the transformer unit; and a number of pulse receiver modules, wherein each pulse receiver module is coupled the secondary portion of the transformer unit and to an associated one of the active power semiconductor groups, and wherein each pulse receiver module receives an associated one of the reflected current pulses and transfers and latches the associated one of the reflected current pulses to create a latched gate drive signal that is provided to the associated one of the active power semiconductor groups for driving the one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices of the associated one of the active power semiconductor groups.