阅读说明：本技术 功率模块 (Power module ) 是由 赤羽正志 于 2017-05-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供将向可编程电路输入的程序控制信号作为一个系统而实现小型化的功率模块。功率模块(10)将内置的高端侧用可编程电路(12)和低端侧用可编程电路(13)进行菊花链连接,并且设置为对于高端侧用可编程电路(12)和低端侧用可编程电路(13)共用向功率模块(10)输入的作为程序控制信号的JTAG控制信号的一个系统。在高端侧用可编程电路(12)的输入输出位置设置电平转换器(14),将向功率模块(10)输入的程序控制信号在以低端侧电路(LS)的接地端子(GND)的电位为基准的信号和以高端侧电路(HS)的基准电位端子(VS)的电位为基准的信号之间相互地进行电平转换。(The invention provides a power module which is miniaturized by using a program control signal input to a programmable circuit as a system. The power module (10) is provided as a system in which a built-in programmable circuit (12) for the high side and a built-in programmable circuit (13) for the low side are daisy-chained, and a JTAG control signal, which is a program control signal input to the power module (10), is shared by the programmable circuit (12) for the high side and the programmable circuit (13) for the low side. A level shifter (14) is provided at an input/output position of a high-side programmable circuit (12), and a program control signal inputted to a power module (10) is level-shifted between a signal based on the potential of a ground terminal (GND) of a low-side circuit (LS) and a signal based on the potential of a reference potential terminal (VS) of a high-side circuit (HS).)

1. A power module is characterized by comprising:

a first switching element and a second switching element connected in a half bridge;

a high-side circuit that drives the first switching element;

a low-side circuit that drives the second switching element;

a high-side programmable circuit configured to realize a first logic function or parameter used in the high-side circuit;

a low-side programmable circuit configured to implement a second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit;

an external write port that receives a control signal including a selection signal and write data to be written to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit;

an internal wiring for connecting the external write port, the programmable circuit for the high end side, and the programmable circuit for the low end side; and

a level shifter provided to the internal wiring,

performing a write operation when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a selection state,

when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a non-selection state, a write operation is not performed,

in the write operation, the write data is transferred from the external write port to the high-side programmable circuit via the level shifter in the internal wiring, and then the write data is transferred from the high-side programmable circuit to the low-side programmable circuit via the level shifter in the internal wiring,

the write data written to the programmable circuit for the high side changes the first logic function or parameter used in the high side circuit,

the write data written to the low-side programmable circuit changes the second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit.

2. The power module of claim 1,

the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side are daisy-chained via the level shifter,

the write data input to the external write port is transferred to the high-side programmable circuit via the level shifter, and the write data transferred to the high-side programmable circuit is also transferred to the low-side programmable circuit via the level shifter.

3. The power module according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising:

and a transfer timing control circuit that controls timing at which the write data input to the external write port is transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit.

4. The power module of claim 3,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning on the first switching element and turning off the second switching element.

5. The power module of claim 3,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning off the first switching element and turning on the second switching element.

6. The power module of claim 3,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit inputs a signal for turning off both the first switching element and the second switching element.

7. A power module is characterized by comprising:

a first switching element and a second switching element connected in a half bridge;

a high-side circuit that drives the first switching element;

a low-side circuit that drives the second switching element;

a high-side programmable circuit configured to realize a first logic function or parameter used in the high-side circuit;

a low-side programmable circuit configured to implement a second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit;

an external write port that receives a control signal including a selection signal and write data to be written to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit;

an internal wiring for connecting the external write port, the programmable circuit for the high end side, and the programmable circuit for the low end side; and

a level shifter provided to the internal wiring,

performing a write operation when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a selection state,

when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a non-selection state, a write operation is not performed,

in the write operation, the write data is transferred from the external write port to the low-side programmable circuit, and then the write data is transferred from the low-side programmable circuit to the high-side programmable circuit via the level shifter in the internal wiring,

the write data written to the programmable circuit for the high side changes the first logic function or parameter used in the high side circuit,

the write data written to the low-side programmable circuit changes the second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit.

8. The power module of claim 7,

the programmable circuit for the low end side and the programmable circuit for the high end side are daisy-chained via the level shifter,

the write data input to the external write port is transferred to the low-side programmable circuit, and the write data transferred to the low-side programmable circuit is also transferred to the high-side programmable circuit via the level shifter.

9. The power module according to claim 7, characterized by further comprising:

and a transfer timing control circuit that controls timing at which the write data input to the external write port is transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit.

10. The power module of claim 9,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning on the first switching element and turning off the second switching element.

11. The power module of claim 9,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning off the first switching element and turning on the second switching element.

12. The power module of claim 9,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit inputs a signal for turning off both the first switching element and the second switching element.

13. A power module is characterized by comprising:

a first switching element and a second switching element connected in a half bridge;

a high-side circuit that drives the first switching element;

a low-side circuit that drives the second switching element;

a high-side programmable circuit configured to realize a first logic function or parameter used in the high-side circuit;

a low-side programmable circuit configured to implement a second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit;

an external write port that receives a control signal including write data written to the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side;

an external output port that outputs output data output from the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side;

an internal wiring that connects the external write port, the programmable circuit for the high end side, the programmable circuit for the low end side, and the external output port in this order; and

a level shifter provided to the internal wiring,

in the write operation and the output operation, the write data is transferred from the external write port to the high-side programmable circuit via the level shifter in the internal wiring, the output data is transferred as the write data from the high-side programmable circuit to the low-side programmable circuit via the level shifter in the internal wiring, and then the output data is transferred from the low-side programmable circuit to the external output port,

the write data written to the programmable circuit for the high side changes the first logic function or parameter used in the high side circuit,

the write data written to the low-side programmable circuit changes the second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit.

14. The power module of claim 13,

the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side are daisy-chained via the level shifter.

15. The power module according to claim 13, further comprising:

and a transfer timing control circuit that controls timing at which the write data input to the external write port and the output data output from the low-side programmable circuit are transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit.

16. The power module of claim 15,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning on the first switching element and turning off the second switching element.

17. The power module of claim 15,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning off the first switching element and turning on the second switching element.

18. The power module of claim 15,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit inputs a signal for turning off both the first switching element and the second switching element.

19. The power module of claim 13,

the control signal may comprise a selection signal that,

performing the write operation and the output operation when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a selection state,

when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a non-selection state, the write operation and the output operation are not performed.

20. A power module is characterized by comprising:

a first switching element and a second switching element connected in a half bridge;

a high-side circuit that drives the first switching element;

a low-side circuit that drives the second switching element;

a high-side programmable circuit configured to realize a first logic function or parameter used in the high-side circuit;

a low-side programmable circuit configured to implement a second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit;

an external write port that receives a control signal including write data written to the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side;

an external output port that outputs output data output from the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side;

an internal wiring that connects the external write port, the low-side programmable circuit, the high-side programmable circuit, and the external output port in this order; and

a level shifter provided to the internal wiring,

in the write operation and the output operation, the write data is transferred from the external write port to the low-side programmable circuit, the output data is transferred as the write data from the low-side programmable circuit to the high-side programmable circuit via the level shifter in the internal wiring, and then the output data is transferred from the high-side programmable circuit to the external output port via the level shifter in the internal wiring,

the write data written to the programmable circuit for the high side changes the first logic function or parameter used in the high side circuit,

the write data written to the low-side programmable circuit changes the second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit.

21. The power module of claim 20,

the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side are daisy-chained via the level shifter.

22. The power module according to claim 20, further comprising:

and a transfer timing control circuit that controls timing at which the write data input to the external write port and the output data output from the high-side programmable circuit are transferred to the low-side programmable circuit and the high-side programmable circuit.

23. The power module of claim 22,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning on the first switching element and turning off the second switching element.

24. The power module of claim 22,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit receives a signal for turning off the first switching element and turning on the second switching element.

25. The power module of claim 22,

the transfer timing control circuit allows the write data to be transferred to the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit only during a period in which the low-side circuit inputs a signal for turning off both the first switching element and the second switching element.

26. The power module of claim 20,

the control signal may comprise a selection signal that,

performing the write operation and the output operation when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a selection state,

when the control signal is input to the external write port and the selection signal indicates a non-selection state, the write operation and the output operation are not performed.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a power module including half-bridge-connected switching elements and a drive circuit for driving the switching elements, and capable of arbitrarily setting logic functions and parameters of the drive circuit.

Background

In a drive device of an industrial motor, a servo power supply device, and the like, a power module that operates by on/off control of a switching element that is half-bridge connected is used. In the power module, a High voltage integrated Circuit (hereinafter, referred to as HVIC) is used as a control integrated Circuit for driving the switching elements connected in a half bridge. The HVIC includes a high-side circuit for controlling the switching elements on the upper side of the half-bridge circuit and a low-side circuit for controlling the switching elements on the lower side, and both the semiconductor elements on the upper side and the lower side can be driven by 1 IC.

In such an HVIC, it is required that the logical operations or parameters of the half-bridge circuit and the low-side circuit can be arbitrarily set. For example, although the power module has a function of protecting a drop in power supply voltage, overcurrent, and overheat, it is required to change the priority of output alarm when a drop in voltage, overcurrent, or overheat is detected. In addition, it is also required to be able to appropriately change the threshold value for detecting a voltage drop, an overcurrent, or an overheat.

Such a demand can be achieved by providing a programmable circuit in the power module, and writing data forming a logic function or parameter data constituting a threshold value into the programmable circuit. It is known that such a programmable circuit uses a level shifter circuit when insulated from other circuits or voltage level-shifted while using ground as a reference potential (for example, see patent document 1). In the circuit described in patent document 1, a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface is used for writing program data into a programmable circuit.

However, in the power module, the high-side programmable circuit connected to the high-side circuit has a midpoint of the half bridge as a reference potential, and the low-side programmable circuit connected to the low-side circuit has a ground as a reference potential. In particular, by complementarily turning on/off 2 switching elements, the reference potentials of the high-side circuit and the high-side programmable circuit are changed between 0 volt (V) and a power supply voltage (for example, several hundreds of V). On the other hand, although the power supply system of the programmable circuit targeted for the write circuit described in the circuit of patent document 1 is different from that of the write circuit, the power supply system is one system, and the reference potential does not change at every moment as in the high-side circuit of the power module. Therefore, the write circuit having the circuit configuration described in patent document 1 cannot be used for the high-side programmable circuit and the low-side programmable circuit. That is, the power module needs to separately include a write circuit for the high-side programmable circuit and a write circuit for the low-side programmable circuit. Further, since the reference potential on the high end side may become a very high voltage, the write circuit on the high end side and the write circuit on the low end side need to be physically separated from each other.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

However, in the above power module, since it is necessary to provide the program/data write circuits on the high end side and the low end side, respectively, and the number of write circuits is 2, the write ports are also divided into 2 systems, which causes a problem that the power module is large in size and high in cost.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a power module that is miniaturized by using a single system of program control signals input to a programmable circuit.

Technical scheme

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a power module including: a first switching element on a high end side and a second switching element on a low end side of the half-bridge connection; an integrated circuit having a high-side circuit for driving the first switching element and a low-side circuit for driving the second switching element; a high-side programmable circuit capable of arbitrarily configuring a first logic function or parameter used in the high-side circuit; and a low-side programmable circuit capable of arbitrarily configuring a second logic function or parameter used in the low-side circuit. The integrated circuit includes: a write port through which data of one system for a program control signal written to the programmable circuit for the high side and the programmable circuit for the low side is input; an internal wiring for daisy-linking the programmable circuit for the high end side and the programmable circuit for the low end side; and a level shifter provided in the internal wiring connected to the programmable circuit for the high end side and connecting a signal system on the low end side and a signal system on the high end side.

Effects of the invention

The power module having the above configuration has an advantage that the power module can be miniaturized by configuring a daisy chain using level shifters while making the signals input to the programmable circuit into one system.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a power module according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power module according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a connection relationship of signal lines focusing on JTAG control signals.

Fig. 4 is a waveform diagram showing a relationship between reference potentials of the high-side circuit and the low-side circuit.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power module according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power module according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power module according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the power module according to the first to fourth embodiments.

Description of the symbols

10. 10a, 10b, 10 c: power module

11：HVIC

12: programmable circuit for high end side

12 a: logic unit

13: programmable circuit for low end side

13 a: logic unit

14: level shifter

15: voltage stabilizer

16: high-side driver circuit

17: voltage stabilizer

18: low-side control circuit

19: differential pulse generator

20: control circuit

21: JTAG signal control circuit

AND1-AND 5: logic integrating circuit

C1H, C1L: capacitor with a capacitor element

D1-D6: diode with a high-voltage source

GND: grounding terminal

HO: output terminal

HS: high side circuit

HV: high voltage power supply

INV1-INV 4: inverter with a capacitor having a capacitor element

IOH, IOL: input/output bus

LO: output terminal

LS: low side circuit

MN1-MN5, MP 1: transistor with a metal gate electrode

R1-R6: resistance (RC)

VB and VCC: power supply terminal

V5H, V5L: power supply terminal

VCCH, VCCL: power supply

VS: reference potential terminal

XMH, XML: switching element

tck, tms, tdi, tdo: terminal with a terminal body

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the embodiments may be implemented by partially combining a plurality of embodiments within a range not inconsistent with each other.

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a power module according to the present invention.

The power module 10 of the present invention includes: half-bridge connected switching elements XMH, XML, HVIC11, a programmable circuit 12 for the high-side, a programmable circuit 13 for the low-side, and power supplies VCCH, VCCL.

Here, the switching elements XMH and XML use MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors), but other power switching elements may be used. The drain terminal of the switching element XMH is connected to the anode terminal of the high-voltage power supply HV, and the source terminal of the switching element XML is connected to the cathode terminal of the high-voltage power supply HV and the ground terminal GND of the HVIC 11.

The HVIC11 has a high side circuit HS and a low side circuit LS. The high-side circuit HS is a circuit for driving the switching element XMH on the upper side, and has an output terminal HO connected to the gate terminal of the switching element XMH. The high-side circuit HS further includes a power supply terminal VB connected to the anode terminal of the power supply VCCH, and a reference potential terminal VS connected to the cathode terminal of the power supply VCCH, and the reference potential terminal VS is connected to a common connection point of the switching elements XMH and XML. The low-side circuit LS is a circuit for driving the switching element XML of the low side, and has an output terminal LO connected to the gate terminal of the switching element XML. The low-side circuit LS further includes a power supply terminal VCC connected to an anode terminal of the power supply VCCL and a ground terminal GND connected to a cathode terminal of the power supply VCCL.

The high-side programmable circuit 12 is connected to the high-side circuit HS via an input/output bus IOH. The power supply terminal V5H and the reference potential terminal VS of the high-side circuit HS are connected to two power supply terminals of the high-side programmable circuit 12 and two terminals of the capacitor C1H. The low-side programmable circuit 13 is connected to the low-side circuit LS via an input/output bus IOL. The power supply terminal V5L and the ground terminal GND of the low-side circuit LS are connected to two power supply terminals of the low-side programmable circuit 13 and two terminals of the capacitor C1L.

The low-side circuit LS of the HVIC11 of the power module 10 is connected via a signal line that receives the high-side control signal HIN and the low-side control signal LIN from the control circuit 20. The power module 10 has a write port for receiving data for program control signals written in the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13, and the low-side circuit LS and the control circuit 20 are connected via the write port. The program control signals are, for example, JTAG control signals, and the low-side circuit LS and the control circuit 20 are connected by 4 signal lines which transmit and receive signals TMS (Test Mode Select), TCK (Test clock), TDI (Test Data In: Test Data In), and TDO (Test Data out: Test Data out). The terminal to which these 4 signal lines are connected is a write port of 1-wire system.

The high-side circuit HS and the low-side circuit LS of the HVIC11 are connected by signal lines through which signals SET and RESET corresponding to the high-side control signal HIN are transmitted. The high-side circuit HS and the low-side circuit LS are also connected by signal lines which carry signals HTMS, HTCK, HTDI, HTDO corresponding to the signals TMS, TCK, TDI, TDO. The low-side circuit LS is provided with a level shifter for generating signals HTMS, HTCK, and HTDI by raising the level of the signals TMS, TCK, and TDI, and for lowering the level of the signal HTDO received from the high-side circuit HS.

According to the power module 10, the control circuit 20 writes or rewrites data in the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13. In other words, signals TMS and TCK input from the control circuit 20 to the power module 10 are directly supplied to the low-side programmable circuit 13, and signals HTMS and HTCK subjected to level conversion are supplied to the high-side programmable circuit 12. The signal TDI is directly supplied to the low-side programmable circuit 13, and the level-converted signal HTDI is supplied to the high-side programmable circuit 12. The signal TDO is directly output from the low-side programmable circuit 13, and the signal HTDO is output from the high-side programmable circuit 12.

The program control signals of the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 are transmitted in a daisy chain manner. That is, signal TDI input from control circuit 20 is level-converted into signal HTDI and input to high-side programmable circuit 12, signal HTDO output from high-side programmable circuit 12 is level-converted by a level converter and input to low-side programmable circuit 13, and low-side programmable circuit 13 outputs signal TDO. Alternatively, the signal TDI input from the control circuit 20 is input to the low-side programmable circuit 13, the signal TDO output from the low-side programmable circuit 13 is level-converted into the signal HTDI and input to the high-side programmable circuit 12, and the signal HTDO output from the high-side programmable circuit 12 is level-converted into the signal TDO.

When the power module 10 receives the signal HIN from the control circuit 20, the signal HIN is converted into signals SET and RESET and input to the high-side circuit HS, and the high-side circuit HS generates a gate drive signal based on the signals SET and RESET. The gate drive signal is output from the output terminal HO and supplied to the gate terminal of the switching element XMH, thereby on/off controlling the switching element XMH. On the other hand, when the signal LIN is received from the control circuit 20, the signal LIN is input to the low-side circuit LS, and the low-side circuit LS generates a gate drive signal based on the signal LIN. The gate drive signal is output from the output terminal LO and supplied to the gate terminal of the switching element XML, thereby controlling the switching element XML to be turned on and off.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power module according to the first embodiment, fig. 3 is a diagram showing the connection relationship of signal lines focusing on JTAG control signals, and fig. 4 is a waveform diagram showing the relationship of reference potentials of a high-side circuit and a low-side circuit. In fig. 2 and3, the same or equivalent components as those shown in fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 2, the HVIC11 of the power module 10 of the first embodiment has a high-side circuit HS and a low-side circuit LS. A level shifter 14 for connecting a signal system on the high side and a signal system on the low side is formed at a connection portion between the high side circuit HS and the low side circuit LS.

The high-side circuit HS includes: a 5V regulator 15 connected to power supply terminal VB for generating a voltage of 5V from the voltage of power supply VCCH; a high-side driver circuit 16 for outputting the gate drive signal of the switching element XMH to an output terminal HO; and inverters INV1-INV 4.

The high-side driver circuit 16 is connected to the high-side programmable circuit 12 via an input/output bus IOH. The high-side programmable circuit 12 is constituted by, for example, an FPGA (Field programmable gate Array) capable of arbitrarily setting a logic function or a parameter. The terminals tms, tck, tdi of the high-side programmable circuit 12 are connected to output terminals of the inverters INV1, INV2, INV3 of the high-side circuit HS. The terminal tdo of the high-side programmable circuit 12 is connected to the input terminal of the inverter INV4 of the high-side circuit HS. The high-side programmable circuit 12 includes a logic unit 12a connected to the terminals tdi and tdo and capable of configuring a desired logic function or the like. In the logic unit 12a, for example, a detection threshold (parameter) of a protection circuit built in the high-side driver circuit 16 is written based on data received from the terminal tdi, and the written parameter is transmitted to the high-side driver circuit 16 through the input/output bus IOH during a normal operation. The high-side programmable circuit 12 is connected to a power supply terminal V5H and a high-side reference potential terminal VS, and is supplied with power from a 5V regulator 15.

The low-side circuit LS has: a 5V regulator 17 connected to the power supply terminal VCC and generating a voltage of 5V from the voltage of the power supply VCCL, a low-side control circuit 18, and a differential pulse generator 19.

The low-side control circuit 18 is connected to the low-side programmable circuit 13 via an input/output bus IOL. The low-side programmable circuit 13 is formed of, for example, an FPGA. Terminals tms, tck, tdi, and tdo of the low-side programmable circuit 13 are connected to corresponding signal lines of a write port of JTAG control signals provided in the low-side circuit LS. The low-side programmable circuit 13 includes a logic unit 13a connected to the terminals tdi and tdo and capable of configuring a desired logic function or the like. In this logic unit 13a, for example, a detection threshold (parameter) of a protection circuit built in the low-side control circuit 18 is written based on data input from the terminal tdi, and the written parameter is transmitted to the low-side control circuit 18 through the input/output bus IOL at the time of normal operation. The low-side programmable circuit 13 is connected to a power supply terminal V5L and a ground terminal GND which is a reference potential on the low side, and is supplied with power from the 5V regulator 17.

The low-side control circuit 18 receives the signals HIN, LIN, outputs a gate drive signal of the switching element XML to the output terminal LO based on the signal LIN, and outputs the signal HIN to the differential pulse generator 19. The differential pulse generator 19 receives the signal HIN and outputs the signal SET at the timing of the rising edge of the signal HIN and the signal RESET at the timing of the falling edge of the signal HIN.

The level shifter 14 has high withstand voltage transistors MN1-MN5, MP1, resistors R1-R6, and diodes D1-D6. The transistors MN1 and MN2 have gate terminals connected to the output terminal of the differential pulse generator 19, drain terminals connected to the high-side driver circuit 16, and source terminals connected to the ground terminal GND. The drain terminal of the transistor MN1 is connected to one end of the resistor R1 and the cathode terminal of the diode D1, the other end of the resistor R1 is connected to the power supply of the high-side circuit HS, and the anode terminal of the diode D1 is connected to the reference potential terminal VS of the high-side circuit HS. The drain terminal of the transistor MN2 is connected to one end of the resistor R2 and the cathode terminal of the diode D2, the other end of the resistor R2 is connected to the power supply of the high-side circuit HS, and the anode terminal of the diode D2 is connected to the reference potential terminal VS of the high-side circuit HS.

The transistor MN3 has a gate terminal connected to a terminal for receiving the signal TMS by the low-side circuit LS, a drain terminal connected to an input terminal of the inverter INV1 of the high-side circuit HS, and a source terminal connected to the ground terminal GND. The drain terminal of the transistor MN3 is connected to one end of the resistor R3 and the cathode terminal of the diode D3, the other end of the resistor R3 is connected to the power supply of the high-side circuit HS, and the anode terminal of the diode D3 is connected to the reference potential terminal VS of the high-side circuit HS.

The transistor MN4 has a gate terminal connected to a terminal that receives the signal TCK through the low-side circuit LS, a drain terminal connected to the input terminal of the inverter INV2 of the high-side circuit HS, and a source terminal connected to the ground terminal GND. The drain terminal of the transistor MN4 is connected to one end of the resistor R4 and the cathode terminal of the diode D4, the other end of the resistor R4 is connected to the power supply of the high-side circuit HS, and the anode terminal of the diode D4 is connected to the reference potential terminal VS of the high-side circuit HS.

The transistor MN5 has a gate terminal connected to a terminal receiving the signal TDI by the low-side circuit LS, a drain terminal connected to an input terminal of the inverter INV3 of the high-side circuit HS, and a source terminal connected to the ground terminal GND. The drain terminal of the transistor MN5 is connected to one end of the resistor R5 and the cathode terminal of the diode D5, the other end of the resistor R5 is connected to the power supply of the high-side circuit HS, and the anode terminal of the diode D5 is connected to the reference potential terminal VS of the high-side circuit HS.

The transistor MP1 has a gate terminal connected to the output terminal of the inverter INV4 of the high-side circuit HS, a source terminal connected to the power supply of the high-side circuit HS, and a drain terminal connected to the terminal tdi of the low-side programmable circuit 13. The drain terminal of the transistor MP1 is connected to one end of the resistor R6 and the cathode terminal of the diode D6, and the other end of the resistor R6 and the anode terminal of the diode D6 are connected to the ground terminal GND of the low-side circuit LS.

Here, the connection relationship between the signal lines of JTAG and the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 will be described. As shown in fig. 3, signals TMS and TCK of the JTAG control signal are transmitted in parallel to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13. The signals TMS and TCK are input to the high-side programmable circuit 12 via the level shifter 14. The signal TDI is serially transmitted to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 connected in a daisy chain manner by internal wiring (in this case, the logic units 12a and 13a output at the timing of clock delay necessary for operation while keeping the input data substantially unchanged), and the signal TDO is output from the low-side programmable circuit 13. In this case, input/output to/from the high-side programmable circuit 12 is also performed via the level shifter 14.

In the power module 10 having the above configuration, when the signal HIN is input to the low-side control circuit 18, the signal HIN is input to the differential pulse generator 19, and here, a differential pulse is output at the timing of the rising edge and the falling edge of the signal HIN. These differential pulses are input to gate terminals of the transistors MN1 and MN2, respectively, and output from drain terminals thereof as signals SET and RESET, respectively, to the high-side driver circuit 16. In the high side driver circuit 16, the gate drive signal of the switching element XMH is restored by the signals SET and RESET, and is output from the output terminal HO. On the other hand, when the signal LIN is input to the low-side control circuit 18, the signal LIN is output from the output terminal LO as a gate drive signal of the switching element XML.

Fig. 4 shows the change in the potential of the reference potential terminal VS when the switching elements XMH and XML perform the switching operation. That is, when the high-side switching element XMH is turned off and the low-side switching element XML is turned on, the reference potential terminal VS and the ground terminal GND have substantially the same potential. Therefore, the power supply voltage of the high-side programmable circuit 12, that is, the voltage of the power supply terminal V5H is substantially equal to the voltage of the power supply terminal V5L in the low-side circuit LS with a ground reference.

When the switching element XMH on the high side is turned on and the switching element XML on the low side is turned off, the voltage of the reference potential terminal VS is substantially equal to the voltage of the high-voltage power supply HV. In this embodiment, the high voltage power source HV is lower than 1200V, for example, a voltage around 400V is assumed. Therefore, the power supply voltage of the high-side programmable circuit 12, i.e., the voltage of the power supply terminal V5H becomes 5V higher than the reference potential terminal VS when viewed from the ground reference. Therefore, the level shifter 14 is required to input and output the JTAG control signal input with the ground reference to the high-side programmable circuit 12.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power module according to the second embodiment. In fig. 5, the same or equivalent components as those shown in fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The power module 10a of the second embodiment defines the timing of writing based on the JTAG control signal, compared to the power module 10 of the first embodiment. That is, in the power module 10 according to the first embodiment, writing or rewriting based on the JTAG control signal can be performed at any timing. In contrast, in the power module 10a according to the second embodiment, writing by the JTAG control signal is enabled only when the potential of the reference potential terminal VS on the high side is low. Therefore, the low-side circuit LS of the HVIC11 includes the JTAG signal control circuit 21 as a transmission timing control circuit that controls the timing of transmitting the JTAG control signal.

The JTAG signal control circuit 21 has a logical product circuit AND1-AND 5. The negative logic input terminal of the logical product circuit AND1 receives the signal HIN, AND the positive logic input terminal of the logical product circuit AND1 receives the signal LIN, AND the output terminal of the logical product circuit AND1 is connected to one input terminal of the logical product circuit AND2-AND 5. The other input terminal of the logical product circuit AND2 is configured to receive the signal TMS, AND the output terminal of the logical product circuit AND2 is connected to the gate terminal of the transistor MN 3. The other input terminal of the logical product circuit AND3 is configured to receive the signal TCK, AND the output terminal of the logical product circuit AND3 is connected to the gate terminal of the transistor MN 4. The other input terminal of the logical product circuit AND4 is configured to receive the signal TDI, AND the output terminal of the logical product circuit AND4 is connected to the gate terminal of the transistor MN 5. The other input terminal of the logical product circuit AND5 is configured to receive the signal HTDO, AND the output terminal of the logical product circuit AND5 is connected to the terminal tdi of the low-side programmable circuit 13.

When the signal HIN is at a low (L) level AND the signal LIN is at a high (H) level, the JTAG signal control circuit 21 sets the output terminal of the AND1 to an H level, AND inputs a signal at the H level to one input terminal of the AND2-AND 5. Thus, the logical product circuit AND2-AND4 allows the transfer of the signals TMS, TCK, TDI, AND the logical product circuit AND5 allows the transfer of the signal HTDO. That is, the JTAG signal control circuit 21 can write data into the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13.

In addition to the condition that the signal HIN is at the L level AND the signal LIN is at the H level, the output terminal of the AND1 becomes at the L level, AND therefore the AND circuit AND2-AND5 inhibits the transfer of the signal. That is, the JTAG signal control circuit 21 prohibits the writing of data to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13.

Thus, data can be written in the JTAG control signal only when the potential of the high-side reference potential terminal VS is low. Since the writing to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 is performed by a signal of a ground reference when the reference potential is the same as the ground potential, the writing can be performed safely and reliably.

In this case, when the voltage of the reference potential terminal VS is substantially equal to the voltage of the high-voltage power supply HV, the signal system on the low side and the signal system on the high side are not directly connected, and therefore the level shifter 14 is necessary.

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power module according to the third embodiment. In fig. 6, the same or equivalent components as those shown in fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The power module 10b of the third embodiment reverses the conditions at the time of writing compared to the power module 10a of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the HVIC11 of the power module 10b, the logical product circuit AND1 of the JTAG signal control circuit 21 is configured to receive the signal HIN at the positive logical input terminal AND the signal LIN at the negative logical input terminal.

In the third embodiment, writing to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 is performed only during a period in which the signal HIN is at the H level. At this time, the level shifter 14 is effectively operated to input and output a signal to and from the high-side programmable circuit 12.

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power module according to the fourth embodiment. In fig. 7, the same or equivalent components as those shown in fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the power module 10c according to the fourth embodiment, the condition when writing to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 is set to be when the signals HIN and LIN are at the L level. Therefore, in the HVIC11 of the power module 10c, the logical product circuit AND1 in the JTAG signal control circuit 21 is configured to receive the signals HIN AND LIN at the 2 negative logic input terminals.

In the fourth embodiment, writing to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 is performed when both the signals HIN and LIN are at low levels and the switching elements XMH and XML are not switched. Therefore, the JTAG control signal is not transmitted when the switching elements XMH and XML are switched, and thus writing can be performed safely without being affected by switching noise.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the power module according to the first to fourth embodiments. In fig. 8, the same or equivalent components as those shown in fig. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

According to the modification shown in fig. 8, the order of writing to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 is reversed from that of the power modules 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c according to the first to fourth embodiments. That is, the signal TDI is first transferred to the low-side programmable circuit 13, and then transferred to the high-side programmable circuit 12 via the level shifter 14.

At this time, when the JTAG signal control circuit 21 is used for the low-side circuit LS, the signal TDI of the write port is input to the terminal TDI of the low-side programmable circuit 13. The terminal TDO of the low-side programmable circuit 13 is connected to the input terminal of the product circuit AND4, AND the signal of the output terminal of the product circuit AND5 is the signal TDO of the write port.

The configuration of this modification is the same as the power modules 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c according to the first to fourth embodiments in operation, except that the order of writing to the high-side programmable circuit 12 and the low-side programmable circuit 13 is reversed.

In the present embodiment, the JTAG control signal is used as the program control signal, but a program control signal instead of the JTAG control signal may be used. The program control signals instead of the JTAG control signals may be 4 or more, or may be 4 or less.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Further, many modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art, and the present invention is not limited to the exact configurations and application examples described and illustrated above, and all modifications and equivalents may be regarded as being within the scope of the present invention based on the claims and their equivalents.