Shiping Chen, Zhanqing Yu, Jiaxu Shi, et al. A novel current-source management integrated circuit applied to high-voltage integrated gate commutated thyristor gate driver[J]. High Voltage, 2025, 10(3).
DOI:
Shiping Chen, Zhanqing Yu, Jiaxu Shi, et al. A novel current-source management integrated circuit applied to high-voltage integrated gate commutated thyristor gate driver[J]. High Voltage, 2025, 10(3). DOI: 10.1049/hve2.70051.
A novel current-source management integrated circuit applied to high-voltage integrated gate commutated thyristor gate driver
摘要
Abstract
This paper presents a fully customised integrated gate commutated thyristor (IGCT) gate driver monolithic integrated circuit (GDMIC)
aiming to address the many shortcomings of traditional IGCT gate driver units composed of discrete components
such as the excessive number of components
low reliability
and complex development processes. The current-source driving characteristics of IGCTs pose significant technical challenges for developing fully customised integrated circuits (IC). The customised requirements of IGCT gate driver chips under various operating conditions are explored regarding functional module division
power sequencing
and chip parameter specifications. However
existing high-side (HS) driver methods exhibit limitations in functional monolithic integration and bipolar complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatibility. To address these challenges
a novel HS driving topology based on floating linear regulators is proposed. It can achieve synchronised control of multi-channel floating power transistors while supporting 100% duty cycle continuous conduction. The proposed GDMIC reduces the three independent HS power supplies to a single multiplexed topology
significantly decreasing circuit complexity. Experimental results validate the feasibility and performance of a 4-inch gate driver prototype based on IGCT current-source management IC
demonstrating significant advantages in reducing the number of components
enhancing device reliability
and simplifying development. The proposed GDMIC offers an innovative development path for future high-power IGCT drivers.