Infineon Technologies Ag

Christian Djelassi

Robert Illing

Markus Ladurner

Alexander Mayer

Hans-Peter Kreuter

David Jansson

Luca Petruzzi

Bernhard Auer

Bernhard Schaffer

Stefan Woehlert

Michael Nelhiebel

Thomas Detzel

Sven Lanzerstorfer

Stefan Decker

Kurt Matoy

Alberto Zanardi

Mario Tripolt

Florian Brugger

Arno Zechmann

Bernhard Marinelli

Octavian Barbu

An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of at least two operation modes. The at least two operation modes comprise a first operation mode and a second operation mode. The control circuit, in the second operation mode, is configured to perform a set of basic functions and, in the first operation mode, is configured to perform the set of basic functions and at least one additional function. The at least one additional function comprises generating a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of a load current of the electronic switch and driving the electronic switch based on the first protection signal.

Electronic switching and protection circuit with several operation modes

An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch and configured to operate in one of a first operation mode and a test mode. The control circuit comprises a test mode input and is configured to operate in the test mode based on a test signal received at the test mode input. The control circuit in the first operation mode is configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of a load current of the electronic switch and drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal.

Electronic switching and protection circuit with test mode function

An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode based at least on a level of a load current of the electronic switch. In the first operation mode the control circuit is configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of the load current and drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The control circuit is configured to generate a status signal such that the status signal has a wakeup pulse when the operation mode changes from the second operation mode to the first operation mode and, after the wakeup pulse, a signal level representing a level of the load current.

Electronic switching and protection circuit with wakeup function

A driver circuit for an electronic switch is described herein. According to one embodiment the driver circuit includes an input buffer with an input node for receiving a buffer input signal, a pull-down circuit coupled to the input node and a ground node, and a pull-up circuit coupled to the input node and a supply node. The driver circuit further includes control circuitry configured to activate either the pull-down circuit or the pull-up circuit. The pull-up circuit is activated when the voltage level of the buffer input signal is above a first threshold, and the pull-down circuit is activated when the voltage level of the buffer input signal is below a second threshold.

Driver circuit for electronic switch

A device comprises a solid-state power switch and a control configured to operate the power switch if at least one of a plurality of fault conditions of the device is triggered. An interface is configured to output a signal having a value selectively indicative of the triggered at least one fault condition in response to the at least one fault condition being triggered.

Device with power switch

Power switch devices and methods are provided where an undervoltage event in a supply voltage is detected. Information regarding the undervoltage event is stored in a memory element. The memory element is supplied by a control signal.

Power switch device

An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, a first protection circuit configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of a load current through the load path of the electronic switch, and a drive circuit configured to drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The first protection circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive an ADC input signal representing the load current, to sample the ADC input signal once in each of a plurality of successive sampling periods, and to output an ADC output signal that includes a sequence of values such that each of the values represents a respective sample of the ADC input signal. The ADC is configured to pseudo-randomly select a sample time in each sampling period.

Electronic switching and protection circuit

In one example, a method includes receiving, by a power switching device and via a connector of the power switching device, a signal that causes the power switching device to transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in which the power switching device consumes less current than the first operating mode. In this example, the method also includes, responsive to determining, while the power switching device is in the second operating mode, an occurrence of one or more events, outputting, by the power switching device and via the same connector of the power switching device, a signal that indicates the occurrence of the one or more events.

Communicating with power switching devices

A system and method for a high-side power switch includes a gate driver configured to be coupled to a power switch, a voltage measurement circuit configured to be coupled directly to the power switch, a switch monitoring circuit configured to be coupled to the power switch, the switch monitoring circuit configured to measure an output current of the power switch, a current limitation circuit coupled to the gate driver and the switch monitoring circuit, the current limitation circuit configured to regulate gate-source voltage of the gate driver when the output current exceeds a threshold value, and a controller coupled to the current limitation circuit and the voltage measurement circuit, the controller configured to determine a mode of operation according to a startup voltage measured by the voltage measurement circuit during a startup sequence, the controller further configured to provide the threshold value to the current limitation circuit according to the mode of operation and a switch voltage measured by the voltage measurement circuit.

System and method for a high-side power switch

Devices and methods are provided which comprise detecting an irregular condition at a control terminal of a power switch device.

An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, a first protection circuit configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of a load current through the load path of the electronic switch, and a drive circuit configured to drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The first protection circuit includes a logarithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive an ADC input signal representing the load current and to output an ADC output signal that includes a sequence of values such that each of the values represents a respective sample of the ADC input signal, a filter configured to filter the ADC output signal and output a filter output signal, and a comparator circuit configured to generate the first protection signal based on comparing the filter output signal with a predefined threshold.

Electronic switching and protection circuit with a logarithmic ADC

Devices and methods comprising a switch and an overload detection are disclosed. When an overload detection is detected, a first retry scheme followed by a second retry scheme different from the first retry scheme may be applied. If the overload condition persists, the switch may be disabled.

Methods, devices, systems, and integrated circuits are disclosed for switching on an electrical connection to one or more loads. In one example, a switch device includes a voltage source, a power switch circuit block connected to the voltage source, and a current limitation circuit block connected to the voltage source and the power switch circuit block. The switch device further includes a voltage outlet connected to the power switch circuit block. The switch device further includes a current limit feedback circuit connected to the power switch circuit block and the current limitation circuit block. The current limit feedback circuit is configured to enable the switch device to provide a regulated connection between the power switch circuit block and the voltage outlet, wherein the regulated connection defines a current limitation mode, such that the regulated connection reduces the current in the power switch circuit block if the switch device is in the current limitation mode.

High side switch with current limit feedback

Power switch devices having an overload limit are provided. The overload limit may be adjusted based on an inductance coupled with the power switch device.

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Villach, Austria

Christian Djelassi