Integrated silicon carbide diode rectifier circuits

Abstract

An integrated silicon carbide rectifier circuit with an on chip isolation diode. The isolation diode can be a channel-to-substrate isolation diode or a channel to channel isolation diode.

Claims

1. An integrated diode rectification circuit, comprising: a single chip having a floating P-Substrate and an alternating current rectifier having an N-channel; and an on chip isolation diode electrically connected from the N-channel to the P-Substrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a Two-Half-Wave Diode Rectifier for Center-Tap Transformer Schematic and associated waveforms.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an Integrated Full-wave Rectifier with Floating P-Substrate and associated waveforms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally shown using an isolation diode from the JFET N-channel to the P-Substrate which allows designing integrated diode rectification circuits. The P-Substrate connection must be made with respect to the chosen isolation transformer. It is not clear yet if integrated diode rectifier circuits provide a cost/reliability/performance trade-off with discrete SiC Schottky diodes on a ceramic substrate, however some integrated diode rectification topologies are considered next.

(5) For a two-phase AC input from a center-tap transformer, two-half-wave rectifiers can be integrated on the same chip if the P-Substrate connection is tied to the transformer's center tap as shown in FIG. 1. The gate-to-channel diodes are shown vertically and the channel-to-substrate isolation diode is drawn horizontally. Note that the P-Substrate is tied to the center-tap of the 2-Phase transformer. Optionally in this circuit the P-Substrate may float with little effect on rectification function or performance.

(6) In a similar fashion, a single-phase transformer output can be full-wave rectified, however in this case the P-Substrate must be allowed to float as shown in FIG. 2. Again, rectifying gate-to-channel diodes are drawn vertically and channel-to-substrate isolation diodes are drawn horizontally.

(7) Due to the biasing of the P-Substrate it is not possible to rectify AC to a DC supply and use the DC supply to energize JFET logic on the same die.

(8) From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will also be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

(9) When interpreting the claims of this application, method claims may be recognized by the explicit use of the word method in the preamble of the claims and the use of the ing tense of the active word. Method claims should not be interpreted to have particular steps in a particular order unless the claim element specifically refers to a previous element, a previous action, or the result of a previous action. Apparatus claims may be recognized by the use of the word apparatus in the preamble of the claim and should not be interpreted to have means plus function language unless the word means is specifically used in the claim element. The words defining, having, or including should be interpreted as open ended claim language that allows additional elements or structures. Finally, where the claims recite a or a first element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.