The present disclosure relates to contactor, and device and method for controlling same. A control device for a contactor comprises a high side control unit, a first low side control unit, a second low side control unit, a freewheeling unit, and a controller. The high side control unit is configured to switch on or switch off the connection of the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit of the contactor with a power supply. The first low side control unit is configured to switch on or switch off the connection of the first magnetic unit with the reference voltage node. The second low side control unit is configured to switch on or switch off the connection of the second magnetic unit with the reference voltage node. The freewheeling unit is connected across a branch comprising a first magnetic unit and a first low side control unit and connected across a branch comprising a second magnetic unit and a second low side control unit. The controller is configured to control the operation of the high side control unit, the first low side control unit, and the second low side control unit. Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable intelligent control of contactors with simple control logic.

The present disclosure relates to contactor, and device and method for controlling same. A control device for a contactor comprises a high side control unit, a first low side control unit, a second low side control unit, a freewheeling unit, and a controller. The high side control unit is configured to switch on or switch off the connection of the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit of the contactor with a power supply. The first low side control unit is configured to switch on or switch off the connection of the first magnetic unit with the reference voltage node. The second low side control unit is configured to switch on or switch off the connection of the second magnetic unit with the reference voltage node. The freewheeling unit is connected across a branch comprising a first magnetic unit and a first low side control unit and connected across a branch comprising a second magnetic unit and a second low side control unit. The controller is configured to control the operation of the high side control unit, the first low side control unit, and the second low side control unit. Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable intelligent control of contactors with simple control logic.

According to one embodiment, a drive device includes a drive circuit configured to drive a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes first to fourth electrodes, a semiconductor member, and an insulating member. The semiconductor member includes first to fourth semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region includes first to third partial regions. The first semiconductor region is between the first electrode and the second semiconductor region. The third semiconductor region is between the first and second semiconductor regions. The fourth semiconductor region is between the first electrode and the first semiconductor region. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second semiconductor region. The first partial region is between the fourth semiconductor region and the third electrode. The second partial region is between the fourth semiconductor region and the fourth electrode. A part of the insulating member is provided between the semiconductor member and the third and fourth electrodes.

According to one embodiment, a drive device includes a drive circuit configured to drive a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes first to fourth electrodes, a semiconductor member, and an insulating member. The semiconductor member includes first to fourth semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region includes first to third partial regions. The first semiconductor region is between the first electrode and the second semiconductor region. The third semiconductor region is between the first and second semiconductor regions. The fourth semiconductor region is between the first electrode and the first semiconductor region. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second semiconductor region. The first partial region is between the fourth semiconductor region and the third electrode. The second partial region is between the fourth semiconductor region and the fourth electrode. A part of the insulating member is provided between the semiconductor member and the third and fourth electrodes.

In an embodiment, a phase change switch device is provided. The phase change switch includes a phase change material, a set of heaters arranged to heat the phase change material and a power source. A switch arrangement including a plurality of switches is provided, which is configured to selectively provide electrical power from the power source to the set of the heaters.

In an embodiment, a phase change switch device is provided. The phase change switch includes a phase change material, a set of heaters arranged to heat the phase change material and a power source. A switch arrangement including a plurality of switches is provided, which is configured to selectively provide electrical power from the power source to the set of the heaters.

An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

Herein disclosed is a voltage isolation circuit coupled to power supplies. The voltage isolation circuit comprises a series switch group controlled by a first control signal, a parallel switch group controlled by a second control signal, and a first high impedance element. The series switch group comprises a transistor arranged in a first current loop and having two channels connected to one of the power supplies respectively. The first high impedance element, coupled to the transistor in parallel, has a measurement terminal and two ends, connected to one of the power supplies respectively. When the series switch group is conducted, the power supplies are coupled in series in the first current loop. When the parallel switch group is conducted, the power supplies are coupled in parallel in a second current loop. Impedance values measured from the measurement terminal to each end of the first high impedance element are identical.

Herein disclosed is a voltage isolation circuit coupled to power supplies. The voltage isolation circuit comprises a series switch group controlled by a first control signal, a parallel switch group controlled by a second control signal, and a first high impedance element. The series switch group comprises a transistor arranged in a first current loop and having two channels connected to one of the power supplies respectively. The first high impedance element, coupled to the transistor in parallel, has a measurement terminal and two ends, connected to one of the power supplies respectively. When the series switch group is conducted, the power supplies are coupled in series in the first current loop. When the parallel switch group is conducted, the power supplies are coupled in parallel in a second current loop. Impedance values measured from the measurement terminal to each end of the first high impedance element are identical.