The Forgotten MOS: Depletion-mode Power MOSFETs

Depletion-mode power MOSFETs are a type of power MOSFET that are often overlooked due to the popularity of their enhancement-mode counterparts. Depletion-mode MOSFETs have a channel that is normally conducting without the need for a gate voltage, which is in contrast to enhancement-mode MOSFETs that require a gate voltage to turn on.

One advantage of depletion-mode MOSFETs is their simplicity of operation, as they do not require any additional control circuitry to turn on. This makes them well-suited for applications such as low voltage power supplies, battery-operated devices, and power switches.

Another advantage of depletion-mode MOSFETs is their high level of intrinsic linearity. This makes them useful in applications such as audio amplifiers, where a high level of fidelity is required.

Depletion-mode MOSFETs also have a higher input impedance compared to their enhancement-mode counterparts, making them more suitable for high-impedance applications such as guitar amplifiers and sensors.

Despite their advantages, depletion-mode MOSFETs are often overlooked in favor of enhancement-mode MOSFETs, which have better performance characteristics in some applications. However, depletion-mode MOSFETs remain a viable option in certain applications where their unique characteristics provide benefits.

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