Electronic circuit including a switch having an associated breakdown voltage and a method of using the same

摘要

An electronic device can include a switch coupled to a switching node. In an embodiment, the switch has a breakdown voltage is less than 2.0 times the designed operating voltage. In another embodiment, the electronic device can further include another switch, wherein both switches are coupled to each other at a switching node. The switches can have different breakdown voltages. In a particular embodiment, either or both switches can include a field-effect transistor and a zener diode that are connected in parallel. The zener diode can be designed to breakdown at a relatively lower fraction of the designed operating voltage as compared to a conventional device. Embodiments can be used to reduce voltage overshoot and ringing at the switching node that may occur after changing the states of the first and second switches. Processes of forming the electronic device can be implemented without significant complexity.

主权项

1. An electronic device comprising:
a first switch having a first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode, wherein:
the first switch has a first breakdown voltage between the first and second current-carrying electrodes;the first current-carrying electrode is coupled to a first input terminal; andthe second current-carrying electrode is coupled to a switching node, wherein:
the first switch is part of an electronic circuit having a designed operating voltage between the first input terminal and a second input terminal, wherein the second input terminal is coupled to the second current-carrying electrode; andthe first breakdown voltage is less than 2.0 times the designed operating voltage during at least part of a transient period after switching states, the first switch or the second switch operates in avalanche mode.