Nxp B.v.

Luc Van Dijk

Clemens Gerhardus Johannes De Haas

Cornelis Klaas Waardenburg

Peter G Steeneken

Cicero Silveira Vaucher

Henricus Cornelis Johannes Buthker

Arnoud Pieter Van Der Wel

Peter Michael Buehring

Joop Petrus Maria Van Lammeren

Pieter Gustaaf Nierop

Holger Voelkel

Alessandro Ferrara

Thomas Gauter

Jan Falkenstein

Issa Niakate

Matthijs Hoogeveen

The present application relates to a system and a method for determining relative positions slave units along a stub bus with at least a power line and a ground line. Each slave unit is operable in different power modes, which are differentiated by effective resistances between the power and ground lines. A reference voltage potential drop is determined for each slave unit while the slave units are operating in a first power mode. A positioning voltage potential drop is determined for one or more slave units while a selected slave unit is operating in a second power mode. Relative positions of the slave units are determined based on the relative voltage potential drops obtained from the reference and positioning voltage potential drops.

System and method allowing for determining relative positions of slave units along a stub bus

A function monitor for a system, such as an advanced driver assistance system, comprising a first function monitor element and a second function monitor element, said first function monitor element configured to receive and collate sensor data from a plurality of sensors associated with the system and send a function warning signal to said second function monitor element when said sensor data from one or more of the plurality of sensors is indicative of a functional irregularity.

Function monitor

Embodiments of a control device for an electronic fuse and a method for controlling an electronic fuse are described. Embodiments of a control device for an electronic fuse may include an interface configured to receive a current from a transistor device of the electronic fuse. Additionally, the control device may further include a sense-and-control device coupled to the interface and configured to detect an increase in the current received at the interface under a standby mode of the electronic fuse and to output an interrupt signal in response to the increase in the current received at the interface.

Control device for an electronic fuse and method for controlling an electronic fuse

An apparatus, method and integrated circuit for broad-range current measurement using duty cycling are disclosed. Embodiments of an apparatus for sensing current through a transistor device may include an interface configured to receive a current from the transistor device for sensing. Additionally, embodiments may include a sensor component coupled to the interface and configured to receive the current from the transistor device and to generate a responsive sensor voltage. Embodiments may also include a sense control circuit configured to control a duty cycle of the sensor component.

Broad-range current measurement using duty cycling

An apparatus, method and integrated circuit for broad-range current measurement using variable resistance are disclosed. Embodiments of an apparatus for sensing current through a transistor device may include an interface configured to receive a current from the transistor device for sensing. In an embodiment, the apparatus may also include a sensor component coupled to the interface and configured to receive the current from the transistor device and to generate a responsive sensor voltage, the sensor component comprising an adjustable resistance component, a resistance value of the adjustable resistance component being selectable in response to a level of the current received at the interface.

Broad-range current measurement using variable resistance

An inrush current limiter for electronic fuses detects the type of load connected to the electronic fuse at ignition. By detecting the type of load, the limiter prevents a large peak current from flowing through the fuse. When a short circuit occurs, the limiter ensures that the electronic fuse only operates once in linear mode.

Inrush current limiter

A system and method for driving a relay circuit involves driving a relay circuit using a first driver circuit if a voltage of a battery supply for the relay circuit is lower than a voltage threshold and driving the relay circuit using a second driver circuit if the voltage of the battery supply for the relay circuit is higher than the voltage threshold.

System and method for driving a relay circuit

A circuit for protecting a transistor is disclosed. The circuit includes a temperature sensing device coupled to the transistor and a tunable clamping circuit connected between transistor terminals, wherein the tunable clamping circuit is configured to provide an adjustable clamping voltage. A temperature controller coupled to the temperature sensing device and the tunable clamping circuit is also included. The temperature controller is configured to trigger a change in a clamping voltage of the tunable clamping circuit based on a feedback from the temperature sensing device.

Sensor controlled transistor protection

In one embodiment, a communication circuit is configured for automated addressing in a network of series connected communication circuits. The communication circuit includes a voltage source and a switch connected in parallel between first and second data ports of the circuit. While operating in an addressing mode, a first voltage is sampled from a first data port while the switch is closed. The switch is opened to provide a voltage potential between the first and second data port and a second voltage is sampled from the second data port. An address of the communication circuit in the network is determined based on a difference of the first and second voltages.

Network communications apparatus, system, and method

An output driver circuit is provided. In accordance with various example embodiments, an output driver circuit includes a high-side driver circuit having transistors coupled in anti-series between a power source and an output node, and a low-side driver circuit having transistors coupled in anti-series between the output node and ground. For each transistor, a diode is connected between the source and drain of the transistor, with the diodes of the respective high-side and low-side circuits being arranged to prevent/mitigate the flow of current in opposite directions.

High voltage output driver

Various exemplary embodiments relate to a current driver for controlling a current source controlled by an alternating current (AC) signal, including: a current sensor configured to measure an output current from the current source; a threshold detector configured to detect when the measured current is below a threshold value; and a controller configured to control the current source using a duty cycle of the AC signal when the measured current is below the threshold.

Current controlled actuator driver with improved accuracy at low current

A power supply circuit and a method for operating a power supply circuit involves selecting a normal operational mode or a pass-through operational mode for a switched mode power supply, in the normal operational mode, converting an input voltage of a power supply circuit to an intermediate voltage using a switching regulator of the switched mode power supply, in the pass-through operational mode, disabling the switching regulator such that the input voltage of the power supply circuit is unchanged by the switching regulator and an electric current consumption of the switching regulator approaches zero, and converting the intermediate voltage or the input voltage of the power supply circuit to an output voltage using a linear voltage regulator.

Multi-mode power supply circuit with a normal operational mode and a pass-through operational mode and a method for operating the multi-mode power supply circuit

A gate driver including: a first input; a first output driver having a first gate drive signal output, wherein the first output driver is connected to the first input; a second input; a second output driver having a second gate drive signal output, wherein the second output driver is connected to the second input; a first converter configured to convert an input voltage level to a first converted voltage level, wherein the converter receives an input voltage from a first high side gate driver output; a multiplexer with a first input connected to the first converter, a second input connected to a low side output, and an output; and an under voltage monitor connected to the output of the multiplexer.

Single under voltage monitor for gate driver circuits

A power supply circuit and a method for operating the power supply circuit are described. In one embodiment, a power supply circuit includes at least one input terminal to receive at least one input voltage, a power element including multiple power element components configured to convert the at least one input voltage to at least one output voltage, multiple regulator controllers configured to control the power element components for the conversion of the at least one input voltage to the at least one output voltage, at least one first switch coupled to the regulator controllers and the power element components, and multiple output terminals to output the at least one output voltage. The at least one first switch is used to configure the power supply circuit to function as either one voltage regulator or multiple independent voltage regulators. Other embodiments are also described.

Growing community of inventors

Kranenburg, Germany

Luc Van Dijk