SPETO: a superior power switch for high power, high frequency, low cost converters

This work presents the design and experimental demonstration of a superior high power device, self-powered emitter turn-off thyristor (SPETO). Different from the conventional high power devices which require the external power input for their gate drivers, SPETO achieves optically controlled turn-on and turn-off, and all the internal power required is self-generated. Low loss gate drive circuit is implemented which allows the simple power-up operation. During normal switching operation, SPETO obtains power for the gate drive during its turn-on operation. SPETO also maintains the reported advantages of ETO such as the high switching frequency capability (over 2 kHz), large snubberless turn-off capability (5000 A/2800 V), low conduction and switching losses, and easy for series and parallel operation. SPETO greatly reduces the cost and increase the reliability of the power converters since no external power supply for device gate drive is required. SPETO is therefore suitable for the high power high frequency voltage source converter applications. Novel switching strategy is also introduced to minimize the gate drive power requirement.