Circuit and system implementing a smart fuse for a power supply

A system for powering multiple loads, comprising:

• a voltage source;
• one or more channels, each channel being configured for powering a respective load, each channel comprising:
• a transistor connected in series with the voltage source, the transistor being connectable in series with the respective load, turning on the transistor causing power to be delivered from the voltage source to the respective load;
• a sensor of a current in the respective load, the sensor being adapted to emit a fault signal when the current in the respective load exceeds a first predetermined current value;
• a hardware latch adapted to set a latch signal when it receives the fault signal and to maintain the latch signal until it receives a rearm signal;
• and
• a logic circuit adapted to:
• receive the latch signal from the hardware latch,
• apply at a gate of the transistor a control voltage causing turning off of the transistor when the latch signal is set,
• receive a software command, and
• convert the software command to a control voltage for application at the gate of the transistor for turning off and then on the transistor when the latch signal is not set;
• and
• a microcontroller operatively connected to the hardware latch and to the logic circuit of each channel, the microcontroller being adapted to provide software commands for individually turning on and off the transistor of each channel and to provide rearm signals for individually resetting the hardware latch of each channel.