Gate driver balancing circuit for series-stacked MOSFETs
This technology solves a well-known headache in high-power electronics: when you stack multiple transistors in series to handle higher voltages, they rarely share the voltage load evenly, which can damage or destroy the weaker ones. This circuit continuously monitors a reference voltage inside each transistor and automatically generates small corrective pulses that are blended into the normal gate drive signals, nudging each transistor to carry its fair share of the voltage during the off-state. The approach is especially useful for short switching pulses where conventional balancing methods struggle. The result is a self-regulating control loop that protects the transistors without requiring bulky passive components or redesigning the power converter around it.
What you could build
A gate driver IC or reference design module incorporating this balancing circuit, sold to power electronics designers building high-voltage DC-DC converters, EV traction inverters, or industrial motor drives where stacking MOSFETs is necessary to reach voltage ratings above available single-device ratings.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and aerospace contractors in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor that design high-voltage power systems for shipboard or airborne platforms would have direct use for this.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Xiang Lin, Dong Dong, Rolando Burgos
- Granted
- January 10, 2023
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11552549
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.