DRIVE CIRCUITS for POWER Mosfets and Igbts
APPLICATION NOTE DRIVE CIRCUITS FOR POWER MOSFETs AND IGBTs by B. Maurice, L. Wuidart 1. INTRODUCTION A remarkable effect can be seen in both the turn-on and turn-off switching waveforms; the gate voltage Unlike the bipolar transistor, which is current driven, exhibits a “step”, remaining at a constant level while Power MOSFETs, with their insulated gates, are the drain voltage rises or falls during switching. The voltage driven. A basic knowledge of the principles voltage at which the gate voltage remains during of driving the gates of these devices will allow the switching is known as the Miller voltage, V .In designer to speed up or slow down the switching gm most applications, this voltage is around 4 to 6V, speeds according to the requirements of the depending on the level of current being switched. application. This feature can be used to control the switching It is often helpful to consider the gate as a simple waveforms from the gate drive. capacitor when discussing drive circuits. 2.3 MOSFET and IGBT turn-on / turn-off. 2. IGBT / MOSFET DRIVE BASICS When turned on under the same conditions, IGBTs 2.1 Gate vs Base and MOSFETs behave in exactly the same way, Power MOSFETs and IGBTs are simply voltage and have very similar current rise and voltage fall driven switches, because their insulated gate times - see figure 3. behaves like a capacitor. Conversely, switches such However, at turn-off, the waveforms of the switched as triacs, thyristors and bipolar transistors are current are different, as shown in figure 4.
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