Method and Apparatus for Integrating Current Sensors in a Power Semiconductor Module

• Main Authors: Ikeda, Yoshinari, Lorenz, Robert D, Sheng, Minhao, Mochizuki, Eiji, Nogawa, Hiroyuki
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.11.2021
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; MEASURING; MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES; PHYSICS; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; TESTING

An improved system for measuring current within a power semiconductor module is disclosed, where the system is integrated within the power module. The system includes a point field detector sensing a magnetic field resulting from current flowing in one phase of the module. A lead frame conductor may be provided to shape the magnetic field and minimize the influence of cross-coupled magnetic fields from currents conducted in other power semiconductor devices within one phase of the module. Optionally, a second point field detector may be provided at a second location within the module to sense a magnetic field resulting from the current flowing in the same phase of the module. Each phase of the power module includes at least one point field detector. A decoupling circuit is provided to decouple multiple currents flowing within the same phase or to decouple currents flowing within different phases of the power module.