The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 20, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 19, 2000
Salvatore Vincenzo Capici, Barrafranca, IT;
Filippo Marino, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
The invention relates to a driver circuit for P-channel MOS switches including a power transistor having a control terminal and first and second conduction terminals, a controlled current generator connected to the control terminal for turning on the power transistor, a control circuit for controlling the turning on of the current generator, and a protection circuit coupled to the control terminal. The driver circuit may also include a second current generator connected to the control terminal of the power transistor which is in turn driven by the control circuit to control the transistor turn-off. Advantageously, the control circuit may also receive a control signal from the protection circuit at the end of the latter's action.