LU502669B1 - METHOD FOR SELECTING A CONTROL PARAMETER SET, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND POWER ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

A method (300) is provided for selecting a control parameter set for a switching element (104) installed in a power module (100). The method (300) comprises providing (302) a plurality of predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for several different predetermined switching element types, wherein the switching element (104) installed in the power module (100) corresponds to a switching element type of the several different switching element types. The method further comprises determining (304) a measured value in the power module (100), which is dependent on a gate charge of the switching element (104) and/or on a threshold voltage of the switching element (104). The method also includes comparing (306) the determined measured value with the characteristic values of the several different switching element types. The method also includes selecting (308) a control parameter set from the plurality of predetermined control parameter sets for controlling the switching element (104) based on the comparison of the determined measured value with the characteristic values of the plurality of different switching element types.

Description

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 1/39 LU502669

METHOD FOR SELECTING A CONTROL PARAMETER SET,

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND POWER ASSEMBLY

A method is provided for selecting a control parameter set for a switching element installed in a power module, an integrated one

Circuit and a power module, as well as procedures for operation and for

Manufacturing the power assembly. The embodiments are therefore particularly in the field of integrated circuits and the

Power modules for driving an electrical load.

Drivers can be used to drive, i.e. to control, an electrical load, such as electric motors and/or other electrical consumers. Typically one or more integrated circuits and switching elements are used, whereby the switching elements can be arranged in half bridges, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2B.

In the mass production of power assemblies there is often the problem that different production locations or limited availability of components in ongoing production

Switching element types must be used for one and the same purpose because there is not a sufficient number of identical switching elements

Types are available. For example, the various

Switching element types relate to similar switching elements, but they differ from one another in some properties. For example, different types of switching elements can be provided by different manufacturers and/or come from different production batches. Both

Switching elements can in particular be field effect transistors, FETs. The different types of switching elements used can differ greatly in some properties

In particular, have very different gate charges. In order to ensure correct operation of the power module despite varying switching elements, it may be advisable to have an external wiring

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 2/39 LU502669

Switching elements and also a charging current and discharging current for the

Always optimize switching elements to the specific type of switching element that is actually installed in order to achieve a good compromise between power loss

Switching element, interference emission on the switching edges and losses in the

To achieve control circuit. Furthermore, for the same purpose, it may be advisable to adapt various waiting times, such as the dead time in the control, to the specific type of switching element.

However, the manufacturer of a power assembly has during the manufacture of the

Power module usually has no information about which one

Switching element type is currently installed in the respective module of the power module. This means that there is no possibility of reacting to changing switching element types during ongoing production, for example with switching element-dependent external circuitry and/or programming. This means that the optimization described above is not possible. As an auxiliary solution, additional external gate-source capacitances (also referred to as Ces and shown as an example in FIG. 2B) are usually used. These are usually dimensioned so large that they dominate the delays in the switching process. This

However, the auxiliary solution leads to a number of disadvantages compared to the optimal one

Sizing.

By using gate-source capacitances, the gate driver, i.e. the power module for controlling the gate of the switching element, requires significantly more recharging current than would be required without the gate-source capacitances. This even exceeds the recharging current required when using a switching element with the largest possible gate charge but without gate-source capacitances. As a result, such integrated circuits cannot easily be used in a power assembly whose maximum output current is required for the switching element

Reserves would be sufficient in themselves, but not for the switching element with additional gate-source capacitances. This can therefore lead to an increase

Manufacturing costs and/or a larger space requirement for one

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 3/39 LU502669 more powerful integrated circuit in the power assembly and in the

Lead power supply. In addition, this can result in additional

Power loss in the integrated circuit leads to increased self-heating, so that the existing distance between the maximum permitted

Silicon temperature and a maximum permitted ambient temperature is reduced and, if necessary, for the intended use of the integrated

Circuit in an intended power module is no longer sufficient.

In addition, a predetermined dead time must conventionally be set in such a way that this can also be achieved with a switching element with the most unfavorable

Properties is applicable. This leads to unnecessary losses in the

Switching elements and thus possibly additional costs for any necessary cooling or a deterioration in the power loss class of the switching elements. In addition, the required dead time is generally ı5 larger than without the additional gate-source capacitances. In addition, a dominant external gate-source capacitance typically reduces the ratio of the gate-drain capacitance of the switching element itself, which is necessary to adjust the steepness of the switching edge, and the total gate-source capacitance. This makes it difficult to dimension an appropriate slope at the phase output. As a result, the edge steepness usually falls in the

The rule is significantly too high, which causes a number of further disadvantages: On the one hand, a combination of a high recharging current and a

Reverse recovery behavior of body diodes of the switching elements causes cross currents in the power assembly. In addition, increased line-bound interference can be caused, which may have to be eliminated with additional filtering effort. Furthermore, increased power losses in the switching elements can be caused by the resulting

Cross currents are caused. In addition, the cross currents can lead to an increased tendency to oscillate on the phase. This may require that the

Tendency to oscillate again through an appropriately sized snubber

Network needs to be dismantled. Its damping and thus also the power that can be implemented must be adapted to the increased tendency to oscillate.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 4/39 LU502669

This can consequently lead to increased component costs specifically for the snubber resistor.

In summary, the interchangeability of the switching elements in the

Series production of power modules in the state of the art has disadvantages and in particular additional costs and reduced performance

Power assembly.

The task is therefore to provide methods and devices which overcome the disadvantages inherent in the prior art.

The task is solved by methods, an integrated circuit and a

Power assembly with the features of the respective independent requirements.

Optional refinements are specified in the subclaims and in the description.

A method is provided for selecting a control parameter set for a switching element installed in a power module. The method includes providing a plurality of predetermined control parameter sets and

Characteristic values for several different predetermined switching element types, the switching element installed in the power module corresponding to a switching element type of the several different switching element types. This also includes

Method for determining a measured value in the power module, which is dependent on one or more switching element parameters of the switching element.

The method also includes comparing the measured value determined with the

Characteristics of the several different switching element types. The method also includes selecting a control parameter set from the plurality of predetermined control parameter sets for controlling the switching element

Basis for comparing the measured value determined with the characteristics of the several different switching element types.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 5/39 LU502669

Furthermore, a method for driving a load using a

Power assembly provided. The method includes providing the

Power assembly, with at least one in the performance assembly

Switching element is installed, which corresponds to a switching element type of several predetermined different switching element types. This also includes

Method of selecting a control parameter set for the in the

Power assembly built-in switching element by means of a disclosed

procedure. The method also includes driving a load using the

Power assembly using the selected

Control parameter set for controlling the switching element.

In a further aspect, a method for producing a

Power assembly provided. The method includes installing at least one switching element in the power assembly, wherein the switching element corresponds to one switching element type of a plurality of predetermined different switching element types. The method also includes a

Selecting a control parameter set to control the in the

Switching element installed in the power assembly using a method according to the disclosure. In addition, the method includes storing the selected control parameter set for controlling the in the

Power module built-in switching element in a storage element.

In a further aspect, an integrated circuit for driving a

Switching element provided in a power assembly. The switching element corresponds to one switching element type of several predetermined different switching element types. The integrated circuit is set up to provide a plurality of predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for the several different predetermined switching element types, and to determine a measured value in the power module, which is dependent on one or more switching element parameters of the switching element.

In addition, the integrated circuit is set up to detect the determined

Measured value with the characteristics of several different switching element types

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 6/39 LU502669. In addition, the integrated circuit is set up to have one

Control parameter set of the several predetermined control parameter sets

Control of the switching element based on the comparison of the determined

Measured value with the characteristics of several different

Select switching element types.

IN yet another aspect, a power assembly is provided for controlling a load, the power assembly having at least one

Switching element of a switching element type of a plurality of predetermined different switching element types. The power module is set up to provide several predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for the several different predetermined switching element types, and to determine a measured value in the power module, which is dependent on one or more switching element parameters of the switching element.

Furthermore, the power module is set up to compare the determined measured value with the characteristic values of the several different switching element types, and a control parameter set of the several predetermined ones

Control parameter sets for controlling the switching element based on the

Comparison of the measured value determined with the characteristics of the several different switching element types.

A control parameter set is a data set that contains one or more

May contain parameters which are used for controlling switching elements of a specific switching element type in a power module and/or by means of a

Power assembly and in particular can be suitable or optimized by means of an integrated circuit.

A power module can be a driver for driving a load.

In the context of the present disclosure, the load is generally an electrical one

called load. In particular, the power module can be a motor driver

Be driving an electric motor, in which case the load is one

Electric motor includes. In particular, a power module can do this

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 7/39 LU502669 be designed to control a DC motor, a brushless DC motor, for example with two or three phases, a stepper motor and / or a single-phase or multi-phase AC motor. One

Power assembly can have an assembly made up of several components. Optionally, the power module can have one or more

Have switching elements and an integrated circuit for controlling the

switching elements. Optionally, the power module can have several switching elements which are connected in one or more half-bridge circuits. For example, two or more can be used for each phase of the electric motor

Switching elements are provided, which are put together in one

Half-bridge circuit with two or more half-bridges are connected. The

Power assembly can also be set up to accommodate the electric motor

Use of the selected control parameter set to control the

Drive switching element.

A load is in particular an electrical load. The load can include one or more electrical consumers. For example, a load can have a

Include electric motor or be designed as such. The load can alternatively or additionally include other electrical consumers, such as lighting devices.

A switching element can be a transistor. This can be optional

Switching element can be designed as a field effect transistor, FET, and optionally as

High performance FET. Optionally, the switching element can also be designed as an IGBT. For the expert in the field, it is one of the skills to apply the method described here to other voltage or current controlled systems

Apply switching elements. The switching element can have an open one

State and have a closed state, wherein the switching element prevents a current flow in the open state and in the closed state

Condition allows current to flow. Closing the switching element can mean transferring the switching element from the open state to the closed state and opening the switching element can mean transferring the

Switching element from the closed state to the open state

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 8/39 LU502669. The fact that a switching element is installed in the power module can mean that the switching element comes from a module

Power assembly is included and forms part of it.

Different switching element types can have different types and/or

Designate shapes of switching elements. The switching element types can have the same or similar specifications in some aspects in order to be able to be used for the same purpose. However, in other aspects the different switching element types may differ and be different

Require optimization for efficient switching operation. In particular, the switching elements of different switching element types can differ in terms of their gate charge. The gate charge refers to that

Amount of charge that must be fed into a gate connection of the switching element in order to switch the switching element on or off, depending on the type of switching element, i.e. to transfer it to the closed state. The switching elements can also be different

Switching element types differ in terms of their threshold voltage. The

The threshold voltage is the voltage value of the gate voltage

Switching element, from which the switching element enables current to flow. The

Threshold voltage can be determined and specified by the manufacturer of the switching element, for example in a data sheet

switching element. The gate voltage is used in this context

Disclosure denotes a gate-source voltage.

The measured value is a measured value that comes from the

Power assembly measurable available sizes and optionally can be determined with the means provided by the power assembly. The measured value can optionally consist of one or more measured in the power module

Sizes are determined and/or calculated. The measured value can be set in such a way that it is comparable to the characteristic values stored for the several different predetermined switching element types.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 9/39 LU502669

Driving a load can involve the controlled supply of electrical energy

Include energy to the load. Driving an electric motor can be synonymous with driving the electric motor.

The one or more switching element parameters can optionally be one

Gate charge of the switching element and/or a threshold voltage of the

Include switching element.

The disclosure offers the advantage that one in the power assembly

Selection of suitable control parameters can be made and based on these

Way an adjustment of the control of the switching element can be done.

This can achieve at least partial optimization of the

Control of the built-in switching element or the built-in switching elements can take place without the need for a complex optimization process. This therefore offers the advantage that when producing the power assembly

Switching elements of several different switching element types can be used for one and the same purpose and still at least partially optimize the control of the switching element or the

Switching elements can be done. In this case, the selected one can

Control parameter set can optionally be saved in a non-volatile memory element. This makes it possible to avoid that the control has to be designed in such a way that it is suitable for all switch elements that can be installed, but in many cases the control can only be carried out with a loss of efficiency. In other words, it can be avoided that

Control designed for the worst possible case and for all

Switching elements must be applied in the same way. Rather, it offers

Disclosure of the advantage that individualization of the control for one

A plurality of different, predetermined switching element types, which are in the

Power module can be installed, can be done.

Furthermore, the invention offers the advantage that the method for selecting the

Control parameter set can be done using the power module itself,

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 10/39 LU502669 without requiring additional hardware. In particular, all or some method steps can be carried out using an integrated circuit according to the disclosure, which the power module has. Since the power module may require an integrated circuit to function anyway, there is no need for additional hardware for a power module according to the disclosure. This also offers the advantage that...

Method for selecting a control parameter set from the

Power assembly itself can be carried out and accordingly

Carrying out the process is not limited to the manufacturing process.

Rather, the selection of a control parameter set can take place regularly, such as every time the system is started or when it is put into operation

Power assembly. In other words, the power module can also be set up to determine the measured value, compare the

Measured value with the characteristic values, and selecting the parameter set when and optionally every time the power module is started up, i.e. every time the power module is started and/or every time a power module is created

Supply voltage to the power module and / or to be carried out during ongoing operation of the power module. This also offers the optional possibility, even in the event of changes to the measured value, which are caused by a

Degradation or other influences, the selection of a suitable one

Control parameter set to be carried out, although with regard to the

Switching element type does not result in any change.

Furthermore, the disclosure offers the advantage that a selection of a control parameter set can also take place in the manufacturing process and that

Control parameter set is optionally stored permanently in a non-volatile memory element. This allows efficient optimization of the control of the

Switching element already done by the manufacturer.

Furthermore, the invention offers the advantage that a dead time for a momentary

The operating point of the switching element can be reduced or set to a minimum, measured by the switching behavior of another switching element in the

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 11/39 LU502669

Half bridge circuit. The current flow is optionally only interrupted in the load circuit for as long as is technically necessary

To avoid cross currents. In addition, the disclosure offers the advantage of increasing the efficiency of the power assembly by avoiding

Voltage drops when carrying current can be increased via the switching element. In addition, the disclosure offers the advantage of effectiveness

Extending the active current supply to the load can be achieved. In addition, improved acoustic behavior can be achieved through optimized switching processes. In addition, better electromagnetic compatibility can be achieved by avoiding discontinuities in the current flow to the load.

The several predetermined control parameter sets can contain one or more parameters which are designed to control a switching element of one of the different switching element types. In particular, the parameters can be a charging current for the switching element and/or a

Discharge current of the switching element and/or a dead time in which the

Switching element during a switching process at the same time as another

Switching element in a half bridge of the power module in a closed state

Condition remains, include. Optionally, the parameters can also contain several of these

Have parameters and/or combinations of these parameters. This

Parameters offer the advantage that they can be stored in the power module and then used for optimized control of the switching element. By depositing appropriate information

Parameter sets for several different types of switching elements can be used to efficiently optimize the control of the switching element, even if different switching elements are used during the production of the power module

Switching element types can be installed.

Determining the measured value can be a measurement of a temporal

Voltage curve of a gate voltage of the switching element. Alternatively or additionally, determining the measured value can involve measuring a temporal

Voltage curve Uber include a second switching element, which is connected to

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 12/39 LU502669 the switching element is located in a half bridge of the power module. This offers the advantage that the measurement value can be determined by the

Power assembly itself, in particular through an integrated circuit, can be done without the need for additional hardware. This also offers the advantage that the measurement value can optionally be determined by measuring one or more electrical voltages in the power module and optionally by measuring time durations. This enables the

Keep hardware requirements low.

Determining the measured value may include measuring one or more time periods. This can, for example, be a period of time between one

Closing the switching element and reaching a predetermined OFF-

Voltage Uorr by the gate voltage of the switching element. Alternatively or additionally, this can be a time period tq on between closing the

Switching element and reaching an ON voltage Uon through the

Include gate voltage of the switching element. Alternatively or additionally, this can be a time period tarx between the closing of the switching element and the beginning or end of a change in the voltage present in the half-bridge circuit

Phase voltage Urn include. Alternatively or additionally, this can be a

Duration dtpH 1 between reaching the OFF voltage Uorr am

Switching element and reaching a maximum voltage on the second

Include switching element in the half-bridge circuit. Alternatively or additionally, this can be a period of time dtpH2 between reaching a maximum

Voltage at the second switching element in the half-bridge circuit and the

Reaching the ON voltage Uon on the switching element includes. Alternatively or additionally, this can be a period of time dtonorr between reaching the OFF

Voltage Uorr by the gate voltage of the switching element and reaching the ON voltage Uon by the gate voltage of the switching element.

The OFF voltage is the value of the gate voltage of the switching element up to which the switching element is in an open state. Accordingly, the ON voltage is the voltage value that is applied as a gate voltage to reliably close the switching element. The measured time durations

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 13/39 LU502669 the respective voltages depend on the gate charge and/or the

Threshold voltage of the switching element depends. Accordingly, this offers the

The advantage is that in this way a measured value can be determined that is from the

Gate voltage and / or depends on the threshold voltage. This therefore offers the advantage that the measurement value can be determined in a particularly efficient manner, since both the required voltage values and the measurement of time durations can be done using an integrated circuit

Power module can be done and no additional hardware is required. This also offers the advantage that the tensions and

Periods of time can be measured with very high accuracy and the measured value can be determined with high accuracy. In addition, the disclosure offers the advantage that the power assembly does not have any

Means for measuring the gate charge and/or threshold voltage of the

Switching element must have and no direct measurement of the gate charge and / or threshold voltage is required.

The respective voltage values can be achieved by the gate voltage or the voltage applied to the second switching element by appropriate means

Comparators are determined. For example, the power assembly can have one

Comparator for comparing the values present on the second switching element

Phase voltage Upx with a reference value Up rer and / or a comparator for comparing the gate voltage Ues of the switching element with a predetermined voltage value of the ON voltage Uon and / or a

Comparator for comparing the gate voltage Ucs of the switching element with a predetermined voltage value Uorr. Some or all of the

Comparators can be integrated into the integrated circuit. Furthermore, the power module and/or the integrated circuit can be designed to provide and/or receive a control signal and/or a system clock.

Optionally, determining the measured value includes measuring at least two of the following time periods: time period dtonorr, time period dten 1, time period dtpn 2. This

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 14/39 LU502669 offers the advantage that the measured value determined is particularly high

Can have meaningfulness and, accordingly, the comparison of the measured value with the characteristics of the different switching element types can lead to a particularly precise selection of the control parameter set.

Determining the measured value in the power module can include generating a switching edge. A switching edge is a signal edge that occurs in the course of the second switching element, which is connected to the

Switching element is in a half-bridge circuit, arises when the

Switching element is opened or closed and accordingly

Voltage builds up or breaks down across the second switching element. The beginning and/or end of the build-up and/or reduction of tension can represent a precisely determinable point in time, which can be used to measure at least some of the above-mentioned time periods.

The switching edge can optionally be generated in a current-free environment

operating state. For this purpose, a further switching element can be used, which is located in another half-bridge of the half-bridge circuit

Switching element is switched with high resistance so that no current flows through the load.

Determining the measured value in the power module can also be a

Configuring a gate driver output current to a reduced value compared to a gate driver output current for driving the load using the

Include power assembly. In other words, he can

Gate driver output current, by means of which the gate charge is applied to the gate of the

Switching element is applied, be lowered compared to the

Gate driver output current commonly used to drive the load. This means that the voltage curves can be slowed down and the time periods to be measured can be extended accordingly. Accordingly, the measured durations and/or voltage values can be measured with a higher degree of accuracy, whereby the accuracy in determining the measured value can be improved.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 15/39 LU502669

The method may further include preconditioning a phase voltage to a specific value. The predetermined value can be approximately OV or the supply voltage Ugat. This can be done, for example, by briefly switching the further switching element on and off again

Half-bridge switching takes place. This allows defined conditions for the

Carrying out the measurements to determine the measured value can be created.

The procedure for selecting a control parameter set can optionally be carried out for several switching elements of the power module. If only switching elements of one type are installed in a power module for which a control parameter set has to be selected, it may be sufficient

The method should only be carried out for one switching element and then the resulting control parameter set should be used for all installed switching elements. If it cannot be ruled out that switching elements of several different types are installed in one and the same power assembly, it can be advantageous to carry out the method separately for several switching elements and optionally for all of the switching elements and to use the most suitable one

Control parameter set to be determined separately for each switching element for which the method is carried out.

Selecting the control parameter set as part of a method for

Driving a load can be done before driving the electric motor and/or too

Start of driving the electric motor. For example, when

Starting the power module, an initialization of the power module takes place, the initialization including selecting the control parameter set. Alternatively or additionally, selecting the

Control parameter set can also be done while the application is running, for example while the load is being driven by the power module. This can be repeated, for example, at regular and/or irregular intervals. This can offer the advantage that changes in the

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 16/39 LU502669

Power module and in particular in the storage element, which can occur, for example, due to wear and / or external influences, can be recognized and taken into account by selecting a suitable control parameter set.

The power assembly can be designed to have a variable

To provide gate driver output current for driving a gate of the switching element. In particular, the power assembly can have an integrated one

Include circuit designed to provide a variable

Provide gate driver output current. This offers the advantage that the

Gate driver output current can be varied. Optionally, this can be used to carry out a procedure for selecting a

Control parameter set to reduce the gate driver output current in such a way that switching operations of the switching element are slowed down and the

Measuring durations last longer and accordingly with greater

Accuracy can be measured. The relative reduction of the

Gate driver output current and the extension of the time periods are included

Relation to the regular gate driver output current and the durations at regular

To understand the control of the load for regular operation of the load. The variation of the gate driver output current can be a standard function of the integrated switching element installed in the power module and/or can be implemented by other components of the power module.

The following is an example of selecting a parameter set for a

Switching element explained, without the disclosure being limited thereto.

As an example, an application is mentioned in which the production of a

One or more FETs can be installed as switching elements in the power module, which correspond to at least one of the following switching element types: - STB80NF55 - IRF530N - IRF540N

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 17/39 LU502669 - SUM70040E

These FETs have similar characteristics in terms of their

Dielectric strengths and operating currents and can be similar

Housings are provided. Accordingly, switching elements of any switching element type of the switching element types mentioned above can in principle be installed alternatively at a specific point in a power assembly.

However, for efficient or even optimal control of these

Different control parameter sets may be required for switching elements. It is therefore advantageous to consider the one or more installed switching elements

Characterize your switching element type with a method according to the disclosure and then use a suitable, predetermined one

Select control parameter set.

Examples are used to identify or characterize the installed

Switching element in a power module uses the following parameters: e Gate driver output current: 10mA e Uorr=0.8V e Uon=10V e Upxhrer=1V

It should be noted that the low gate current is only used to identify or characterize the switching element, but not for the regular operation of the power module or the switching element

Driving a load. In the running application, the gate current is typically significantly higher in order to minimize the power loss of the FET.

The choice of Upn rer only has a negligible or no significant influence on the measurement, since the duration of the switching edge is in

Compared to the total duration of the switching process, it is very short.

The parameters given above result in the following measured values for the respective time periods:

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 18/39 LU502669

FET td,OFFn/HS ta, pH/HS ta,on/HS dtonorr/HS dtpx,1/us

STB8ONF55 0.8 1.5 10 8.5 0.7

IRF530N 0.296 1.11 3.7 259 0.814

IRF540N 0.568 2.13 7.1 4.97 1.562

SUM70040E 0.608 3.8 7.6 3.8 3.192

This means that the following measured values can be used, for example, as identification features for the assignment of a (typically unknown) switching element to one of the switching element types. The identification features can be used as:

Characteristic value(s) for the respective switching element types are provided: 1) taon> 8 us: STB8ONF55 2) taon< 4 us: IRF530N 3) taon= 4 us — 8 us: IRF540N or SUM70040E

Since in the latter case the identification feature for both FETs is very close to one another, a further characteristic value, possibly a further measured value, may be suitable for a reliable distinction between these two switching element types. Under

By adding another measured value, e.g. dtpH.1, this distinction is possible with greater accuracy. The further criterion for differentiation in case 3) could be, for example: dtpH,1 < 2 ps: IRF540N dtpH.1 > 2 us: SUM70040E

If you tried to use only dtpH.1 to identify the FETs, the distinction would again be between STB8ONF55 and

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 19/39 LU502669

IRF530N only with lower due to the small difference of this feature

Reliability possible.

If there is a higher number of switching element types to be distinguished, this can be done

Use of more than one identifier or more than one

characteristic value may be useful.

The features mentioned above and explained below and

Embodiments are not only explicitly mentioned in the respective ones

Combinations are to be viewed as disclosed, but are also included in the disclosure content in other technically sensible combinations and embodiments.

Further details and benefits should now be referred to the following

Examples and optional embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of a power module according to an optional embodiment for controlling a load;

Figure 2A is a schematic representation of an optional arrangement of the

Switching element with another switching element in one

half bridge arrangement;

Figure 2B shows a half-bridge arrangement with gate-source capacitances

Figure 3 shows a method for selecting a control parameter set for a switching element installed in a power module;

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 20/39 LU502669

Figure 4 shows an explanation of several temporal voltage curves and

durations;

Figure 5 shows a method for driving a load using a

Power assembly according to an optional embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a method for producing a power assembly according to an optional embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a circuit according to an optional embodiment

Measurement of the above-mentioned time periods in one

power assembly;

Figure 8 shows a driver circuit according to an optional embodiment

Providing variable gate driver output current.

In the following figures, the same or similar elements are used in the various embodiments for the sake of simplicity

reference symbols.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a power module 100 according to an optional embodiment for controlling a load 102. The power module 100 has at least one switching element 104

Switching element type of several predetermined different ones

Switching element types. The switching element is designed as a field effect transistor, FET, and has at least the source, drain and gate connections.

Furthermore, the power assembly 100 has an integrated circuit 106, which can be set up to perform one or more functions of the

To take over power module 100. The power module 100 is set up to provide several predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for the several different predetermined switching element types.

These can be on a storage element 110 of the power module 110

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 21/39 LU502669 must be saved. In addition, the power module 100 is set up to determine a measured value in the power module 100, which of a

Gate charge of the switching element 104 and/or a threshold voltage of the

Switching element 104 is dependent, and the measured value determined with the

Compare characteristics of several different switching element types.

In addition, the power module 100 is set up to have one

Control parameter set of the several predetermined control parameter sets

Control of the switching element 104 based on the comparison of the determined

Measured value with the characteristics of several different

Select switching element types.

The power assembly 100 and in particular the integrated circuit 106 are further designed to provide a variable gate driver output current

To provide control of the gate of the switching element 104.

The power module 100 is also set up to determine the

measured value, comparing the measured value with the characteristic values and that

Selecting the parameter set when commissioning the

Power module 100 to be carried out. In addition, the power module 100 can be set up to repeatedly carry out the method for selecting the control parameters during operation.

The power module 100 is then set up to support the load 102

Use of the selected control parameter set to control the

Drive switching element 104.

Furthermore, the power assembly 100 can have at least one second switching element 108. The second switching element 108 can be used together with the

Switching element 104 can be arranged in a half-bridge circuit and, together with the switching element 104, serves to drive or control the load 102 and to control a power supply to the load 102. Optionally, the second switching element 108 may correspond to the same switching element type as that

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 22/39 LU502669

Switching element 104. The power module 100 also has a

Memory element 110, in which control parameter sets in particular can be stored. The memory element 110 may optionally form part of the integrated circuit 106.

Figure 2A shows a schematic representation of an optional arrangement of the

Switching element 104 with the switching element 108 in a half-bridge arrangement.

The switching elements 104 and 108 are each designed as a field effect transistor, FET, which each has a gate 104a, 108a, a source 104b, 108b and a

Have drain 104c, 108c. The tensions involved in this

Measured optionally within the framework of a disclosure-based procedure are indicated at the respective points. Ugat indexes a provided one

Battery voltage, UcsH the gate voltage at the switching element 104 between gate 104a and source 104b, UgsL the gate voltage at the switching element 108 between

Gate 108a and source 108b, and UpH on the second switching element 108 between

Phase voltage applied to source 108b and drain 108c. Figure 2B shows one

Half-bridge circuit, which has two gate-source capacitances Ces, as described in the introductory part.

With reference to Figure 3, an example of a method 300 for selecting a

Control parameter set for one installed in a power module 100

Switching element 104 is described, which can optionally be implemented with a power module 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The

Method 300 includes, in a step 302, providing several predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for several different predetermined switching element types, which is in the

Power module 100 built-in switching element 104 has a switching element type that corresponds to several different switching element types.

In a further step 304, the method 300 includes determining a

Measured value in the power module 100, which is caused by a gate charge of the

Switching element 104 and/or a threshold voltage of the switching element

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 23/39 LU502669 104 is dependent. Determining the measured value in the power module 100 can include generating a switching edge. Furthermore, this can be a

Configuring a gate driver output current to a reduced value compared to a gate driver output current for driving the load 102 by means of the power module 100, so that the time courses of the changing voltages when generating the switching edge are slowed down and accordingly an accuracy in measuring relevant time durations can be increased. In addition, determining the measured value can involve measuring a voltage curve over time of a gate voltage of the switching element and/or measuring a voltage curve over time at the second

Switching element 108 include voltage present, which corresponds to the

Switching element 104 is located in a half-bridge circuit of the power module 100, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2A.

In a further step 306, the method 300 includes comparing the determined measured value with the characteristic values of the several different ones

Switching element types.

In a further step 308, the method 300 includes selecting a

Control parameter set of the several predetermined control parameter sets for controlling the switching element 104 based on the comparison of the determined

Measured value with the characteristics of several different

Switching element types.

The described method 300 can optionally be carried out for several switching elements 104, 108 of the power module 100. The method 300 makes it possible to identify or characterize a switching element 104 and to accordingly select a most suitable control parameter set from several predetermined and provided control parameter sets in order to control the respective switching elements 104, 108 in an efficient manner.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 24/39 LU502669

The several predetermined control parameter sets can contain one or more of the following parameters, which are used to control the

Switching element 104 is designed as one of the different switching element types.

In particular, the parameters can be a charging current for the switching element 104, a discharging current of the switching element 104 and a dead time in which the

Switching element 104 during a switching process at the same time as another

Switching element 108 in a half-bridge circuit of the power module 100 remains in the open state.

With reference to Figure 4, several temporal ones are presented below

Voltage curves and time durations are specified, which may be relevant in the context of determining the measured value according to step 304 of method 300.

Several signals are shown in the graphs in sections a), b) and c) of Figure 4, which plot the respective signal or voltage in arbitrary units on the vertical axis and a common time axis in arbitrary units on the horizontal axis.

The graph in section a) shows the time course of a control signal HS, by means of which a transition from the open to the closed state of the

Switching element 104 is brought about. The graph in section b) shows this

Gate voltage Ucsx of the switching element 104 and the graph in section c) shows a phase voltage Upx, which is present both at the second switching element 108 between source 108b and drain 108c and at an output of the

Power module is present.

If you look at the graphs in sections a) to c) together, it can be seen that the closing of the switching element 104 is triggered by the

Control signal HS, initially an increase in the gate voltage UcesH des

Switching element 104 causes and, when a threshold voltage Uw is reached, leads to a delayed emergence of a switching edge, i.e. to a steep one

Increase in voltage in the load 102 and at the second switching element 108.

By lowering the gate driver output current with which the gate 104a

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 25/39 LU502669 of the switching element 104 is driven and which causes the gate voltage UcsH on the first switching element 104, the increase in voltages and correspondingly the indicated time periods can be extended.

The switching process shown is, among other things, as follows

Tensions and periods of time characterized by the

Power module 100 can be measured and used to determine the

Measured value can be used to select the control parameter set. Some or all of the time periods may depend on the gate charge of the

Switching element 104 and/or depend on the threshold voltage of switching element 104. However, it is not necessary to control the gate charge and/or the

Measure the threshold voltage itself. Rather, the measurement can be limited to one or more of the following periods of time, for which the technical

Requirements may be lower than those required for direct measurement

Gate charging would be the case.

Determining the measured value in step 304 can involve measuring a time period tq ofr between closing of the switching element, i.e. the presence of the

Control signal HS, and the achievement of a predetermined OFF voltage Uorr by the gate voltage of the switching element 104.

Alternatively or additionally, the measurement value can be determined in step 304

Measuring a time period taon between the closing of the switching element 104 and the reaching of an ON voltage Uon by the gate voltage of the

Switching element 104 include.

Alternatively or additionally, the measurement value can be determined in step 304

Measuring a time period tq pn between the closing of the switching element 104 and reaching a maximum voltage between source 108b and drain 108c on the second switching element 108 in the half-bridge circuit with the

Switching element 104 include.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 26/39 LU502669

Alternatively or additionally, the measurement value can be determined in step 304

Measuring a time period dtpH.1 between the reaching of the OFF voltage Uorr by the gate voltage at the switching element 104 and the reaching of a maximum source-drain voltage at the second switching element 108 in the

Include half-bridge circuit.

Alternatively or additionally, the measurement value can be determined in step 304

Measuring a time period dtpn 2 between reaching a maximum source

Drain voltage at the second switching element 108 in the half-bridge circuit and reaching the ON voltage Uon at the switching element 104.

Alternatively or additionally, the measurement value can be determined in step 304

Measuring a time period dtonorr between the reaching of the OFF voltage Uorr by the gate voltage of the switching element and the reaching of the ON voltage

Voltage Uon by the gate voltage of the switching element 104 include.

Based on one or more of the measured time periods, the

Measured value can be determined, which can be compared with the characteristics of the several different switching element types in order to select the control set of a switching element type to which the switching element 104 corresponds.

Optionally, determining the measured value in step 304 includes measuring at least two of the following time periods: time period dton,orr, time period dtpH 1,

Duration dtpx2. As a result, accuracy can be increased and the selection of the control set for the switching element 104 can be carried out particularly reliably.

The method described above for selecting a control parameter set for a switching element 104 can be incorporated into a method for driving a load 102 with a power module 100 and/or in a method for producing a

Power module 100 must be implemented. The procedure can be carried out by one

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 27/39 LU502669

Power module 100 and/or by an integrated circuit 106 are carried out.

With reference to FIG. 5, a method 500 for driving a load 102 using a power assembly 100 according to an optional embodiment is described. The method 500 includes, in a step 502, providing the

Power module 100, wherein in the power module 100 at least one

Switching element 104 is installed, which corresponds to a switching element type of several predetermined different switching element types.

Furthermore, the method 500 includes selecting one in a step 504

Control parameter set for the one installed in the power module 100

Switching element 104 using a method 300 described above.

Furthermore, the method 500 includes, in a step 506, driving the load 102 by means of the power assembly 100 using the selected

Control parameter set for controlling the switching element 104.

Selecting the control parameter set according to step 504 can optionally take place before driving the load 102 and/or at the start of driving the load

Load 102 and/or repeatedly while driving the load 102.

The method 300 described above for selecting one

Control parameter set for a switching element 104 can also be implemented in a method for producing a power module 100. The method can be carried out by a power module 100 and/or by an integrated one

Circuit 106 can be executed.

With reference to Figure 6, a method 600 for producing one

Power assembly 100 explained according to an optional embodiment.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 28/39 LU502669

The method 600 includes installing at least one in step 602

Switching element 104 in the power assembly 100, wherein the switching element 104 has a switching element type of a plurality of predetermined different ones

Corresponds to switching element types.

In step 604, method 600 includes selecting one

Control parameter set for controlling the switching element 104 installed in the power module 100 using the method 300 described above.

In step 604, method 600 includes saving the selected

Control parameter set for controlling the switching element 104 installed in the power module 100 in a storage element 110. This

Memory element 110 can be designed as a non-volatile memory element, so that the control parameter set is permanently stored and for that

Controlling the load 102 is permanently stored.

Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a circuit 700 according to an optional embodiment for measuring the above-mentioned time durations in one

Power module 100. Optionally, a power module 100 and/or an integrated circuit 106 of the power module 100 can have such a power module

Circuit 700 include. The circuit 700 has a counter 702, which is designed to measure time durations and which receives the control signal

HS for opening and closing the switching element 104 and a clock signal 704 are received. In addition, the circuit 700 has three comparators 706a, 706b and 706c¢, which are designed to determine the gate voltage and the source-drain, respectively

Compare the voltage of the switching element 104 with predetermined reference values.

The counter 702 can optionally be started and stopped by various events. These events can optionally include: - A change in the control signal HS, which is the corresponding

Switching element 104 switches on (or switches off), i.e. closes or opens.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 29/39 LU502669 - The gate voltage exceeding/falling below the OFF voltage Uorr, measured by the comparator 706c with a corresponding

Reference voltage Uorr. - An overshoot/undershoot of the ON voltage Uon by the gate voltage, measured by the comparator 706b with a corresponding

Reference voltage Uon. - If the reference phase voltage Upn rer is exceeded or fallen below

Phase voltage Upx measured by comparator 706a with a corresponding reference for UpH rer.

The selection of the start or stop events for the counter 702 can be done in

Depending on the available options in the power module 100 can be selected. Alternatively or additionally, when selecting the start or

Stop events, any differences between the switching element types are taken into account.

Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a driver circuit 800 according to an optional embodiment for providing a variable, i.e. adjustable, gate driver output current. The driver circuit 800 has a

Current setting element 802, by means of which the

Gate driver output current, which is supplied to the gate 104a of the switching element 104, can be adjusted. The driver circuit 800 and in particular the current adjustment element 802 can be part of the integrated

Circuit 106 and / or the power module 100. Furthermore, the

Driver circuit 800 has an input switch 804 which is closed

State the gate 104a of the switching element 104 with the potential of

Battery voltage connects, and an output switch 806, which in the closed state connects the gate 104a to ground potential. In each switching state, a maximum of one of the two switches 804, 806 is closed.

If the input switch 804 is closed, a current lon flows to the gate and the switching element is switched on or closed. Is the output switch

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 30/39 LU502669 806 is closed, the gate 104a is discharged and the switching element 106 is switched off or opened, with the gate charge flowing away as current lorr. According to other embodiments, it can be provided that the switching element 104 is open when the gate is charged and is closed when the gate is discharged.

In order to be able to control the charging and discharging process of the gate 104a, the driver circuit 800 also has an adjustable turn-on current source 808 and an adjustable turn-off current source 810. With these you can

Current intensity of the switch-on current lon or the switch-off current lorr can be limited and the duration of charging or discharging of the gate 104a can be varied accordingly. This allows you to vary the

Gate driver output current and can be used to extend the one or more time periods to be measured when determining the measured value in step 304 to achieve greater accuracy. According to others

According to embodiments, only one power source can be provided in the driver circuit 800 for either the switch-on process or the switch-off process. The power module 100 and optionally the integrated circuit 106 of the power module 100 can optionally have one or more of these

Driver circuits 800 have.

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 31/39 LU502669

List of reference symbols 100 power module 102 load 104 switching element 104a gate 104b source 104c drain 106 integrated circuit 108 second switching element 108a gate 108b source 108c drain 110 storage element 300 method 302 - 308 method steps 500 method 502 - 506 method steps 600 method 602 — 606 Process steps 700 Circuit 702 Counter 704 Clock signal 706a, 706b, 706c Comparator 800 Driver circuit 802 Current setting element 804 Power-on switch 806 Power-off switch 808 Power-on power source 810 Power-off power source

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 32/39 LU502669

UBAT battery voltage or supply voltage of the half bridge

UcsH gate voltage of the switching element

UcsL Gate voltage of the switching element

Ucs gate voltage (gate-source voltage)

Up phase voltage

UPH,REF Reference value for phase voltage

Uon ON voltage

Uorr OFF voltage

Utn threshold voltage lon switch-on current lOFF switch-off current

Ces gate-source capacitance ta,ON Duration until the ON voltage is reached

ÎdPH Duration until the switching edge is reached ta.oFF Duration until the OFF voltage is reached dtp. 1 time period between OFF voltage and rise of the

Phase voltage (switching edge) dtph 2 Duration between switching edge and ON voltage dtonoFr Duration between reaching the OFF and reaching the ON voltage

Tension

Claims (22)

Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 33/39 LU502669 patent claims 1. Method (300) for selecting a control parameter set for a switching element (104) installed in a power module (100), the method (300) comprising: - Providing (302) of several predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for several different predetermined switching element types, wherein the Switching element (104) installed in the power module (100) corresponds to a switching element type which corresponds to several different switching element types; - Determining (304) a measured value in the power module (100), which is dependent on one or more switching element parameters of the switching element (104); - Comparing (306) the determined measured value with the characteristics of the several different switching element types; - Selecting (308) a control parameter set of the several predetermined control parameter sets for controlling the switching element (104) based on the comparison of the determined measured value with the characteristics of the several different switching element types. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more switching element parameters include a gate charge of the switching element (104) and/or a threshold voltage of the switching element (104). 3. The method (300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of predetermined control parameter sets include one or more of the following parameters which are designed to control a switching element (104) of one of the different switching element types: - a charging current for the switching element (104); - a discharge current of the switching element (104); Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 34/39 LU502669 - a dead time in which the switching element (104) remains in the open state during a switching process at the same time as another switching element (108) in a half-bridge circuit of the power module (100). 4. Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein determining the measured value comprises measuring a voltage curve over time of a gate voltage of the switching element (104) and / or measuring a voltage curve over time via a second switching element (108), which is connected to the Switching element is located in a half-bridge circuit of the power module (100). 5. The method (300) according to claim 4, wherein determining (304) the measured value comprises measuring one or more of the following time periods: - a time period taorr between a signal change of a control signal of the gate driver and the gate voltage reaching a predetermined OFF voltage Uorr the switching element (104); - a time period taon between the signal change of a control signal of the gate driver and the reaching of an ON voltage Uon by the gate voltage of the switching element (104); - a time period tapH between the signal change of a control signal of the gate driver and the switching edge in the half-bridge circuit; - a time period dtpH1 between reaching the OFF voltage Uorr on the switching element (104) and the switching edge in the half-bridge circuit; - a time period dtpH2 between reaching the switching edge in the half bridge and reaching the ON voltage Uon at the switching element (104): - a time period dtonorr between reaching the OFF voltage Uorr by the gate voltage of the switching element (104) and reaching the ON voltage Uon through the gate voltage of the switching element (104). Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 35/39 LU502669 6. Method (300) according to claim 5, wherein determining (304) the measured value comprises measuring at least two of the following time periods: time period dtonorr, time period dtpH.1, time period dtpx 2. 71. Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein determining (304) the measured value in the power module comprises generating a switching edge. 8. Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein determining (304) the measured value in the power module (100) involves configuring a gate driver output current to a reduced value compared to a gate driver output current for driving a load (102) by means of the power module (100). includes. 9. Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (300) is carried out for several switching elements (104, 108) of the power module (100). 10. Method (500) for driving a load (102) by means of a power module (100), the method (500) comprising: - Providing (502) of the power module (100), at least one switching element (104) being in the power module (100). ) is installed, which corresponds to a switching element type of several predetermined different switching element types; - Selecting (504) a control parameter set for the switching element (104) installed in the power module (100) by means of a method according to one of the preceding claims; - Driving (506) the load (102) by means of the power module (100) using the selected control parameter set to control the switching element (104). Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 36/39 LU502669 11. The method (500) according to claim 10, wherein the selection of the control parameter set takes place before driving the load (102) and/or at the beginning of driving the load (102) and/or repeatedly during driving the load (102). 12. Method (600) for producing a power module (100), the method (600) comprising: - Installing (602) at least one switching element (104) in the power module (100), the switching element (104) having a switching element type of several predetermined ones corresponds to different switching element types; - Selecting (604) a control parameter set for controlling the switching element (104) installed in the power module (100) by means of a method according to one of claims 1 to 8; - Saving (606) the selected control parameter set for controlling the switching element (104) installed in the power module (100) in a memory element (110). 13. Method (600) according to claim 12, wherein the memory element (110) is designed as a non-volatile memory element. 14. Integrated circuit (106) for controlling a switching element (104) in a power module (100), wherein the switching element (104) corresponds to a switching element type of a plurality of predetermined different switching element types and wherein the integrated circuit is set up to: - several predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for the plurality of different predetermined switching element types; - to determine a measured value in the power module (100), which is dependent on one or more switching element parameters of the switching element (104); Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 37/39 LU502669 - to compare the measured value determined with the characteristic values of the several different switching element types; - select a control parameter set of the several predetermined control parameter sets for controlling the switching element (104) based on the comparison of the determined measured value with the characteristic values of the several different switching element types. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more switching element parameters include a gate charge of the switching element (104) and/or a threshold voltage of the switching element (104). 16. Integrated circuit (106) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the integrated circuit (106) is designed to provide a variable gate driver output current for driving a gate (104a) of the ı5 switching element (104). 17. Power module (100) for controlling a load (102), the power module (100) having at least one switching element (104) of a switching element type from a plurality of predetermined different switching element types; and wherein the power module (100) is designed to: - provide a plurality of predetermined control parameter sets and characteristic values for the several different predetermined switching element types; - to determine a measured value in the power module, which is dependent on one or more switching element parameters of the switching element (104); - to compare the measured value determined with the characteristics of the several different switching element types; - select a control parameter set of the several predetermined control parameter sets for controlling the switching element (104) based on the comparison of the determined measured value with the characteristic values of the several different switching element types. Tautz & Schuhmacher IP EMO1113P11LU August 12, 2022 38/39 LU502669 18. The power assembly (100) according to claim 17, wherein the one or more switching element parameters include a gate charge of the switching element (104) and/or a threshold voltage of the switching element (104). 19. Power module (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the power module (100) is further set up to determine the measured value, compare the measured value with the characteristic values and select the parameter set when the power module (100) is started up and / or every time a supply voltage is applied to the power module (104) and/or every time the power module (104) is started and/or during ongoing operation of the power module (104). 20. Power assembly (100) according to one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the power assembly (100) is further configured to drive the load (102) using the selected control parameter set for controlling the switching element (104). 21. Power assembly (100) according to one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the switching element (104) is designed as a field effect transistor or includes one. 22. Power assembly (100) according to one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the power assembly (100) is designed to provide a variable gate driver output current for driving a gate (104a) of the switching element (104).