Intelligent semiconductor switch
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsAlexander Mayer, Robert Illing
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A circuit for a smart semiconductor switch includes an electronic switch electrically coupled between an output node and a supply node. An overcurrent protective circuit is configured to generate an overcurrent signal in response to a load current flowing through the electronic switch exceeding a first overcurrent threshold, and to cause the electronic switch to be tripped. A control circuit is configured to switch the electronic switch on and off based on an input signal in a first mode, and to drive a load connected to the output node by repeatedly switching the electronic switch on and off in a second mode, and to prevent the electronic switch from being permanently tripped by the overcurrent protective circuit.
Claims15
A circuit, comprising:
- an electronic switch electrically coupled between an output node and a supply node;
- a current measurement circuit configured to measure a load current flowing through the electronic switch to produce a current measurement signal based on the load current;
- an overcurrent protective circuit configured to generate an overcurrent signal in response to the load current flowing through the electronic switch exceeding a first overcurrent threshold based on the current measurement signal, the overcurrent signal configured to cause the electronic switch to be tripped;
- and
- a control circuit configured to:
- in a first mode, switch the electronic switch on and off based on an input signal, and
- in a second mode, drive a load connected to the output node by repeatedly switching the electronic switch on and off based on a temperature of the electronic switch, and prevent the electronic switch from being permanently tripped by the overcurrent protective circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.