OPTICALLY POWERED DRIVE CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ASEMICONDUCTOR SWITCH

摘要

An optically powered drive circuit (40) and a method for controlling a firs t semiconductor switch (52) are provided. The optically powered drive circuit (40) includes a photovoltaic cell (100) configured to receive a first light signa l from a fiber optic cable (14) and to output a first voltage in response to the first ligh t signal. The optically powered drive circuit (40) further includes an energy storage devi ce (102) electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cell (100) configured to store electrical energy received from the first voltage and to output a second voltage. The opticall y powered drive circuit (40) further includes an electrical circuit electrically coupl ed to both the photovoltaic cell (100) and the energy storage device (102). The electrical circuit is energized by the second voltage. The electrical circuit is configured to receive the first voltage and to output a third voltage in response to the first voltage for controlling operation of the first semiconductor switch (52).