Analog status signalization and synchronization between integrated circuits
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics International N.V.
InventorsSandor Petenyi, Lukas Machacek, Salvatore D'Angelo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein is method for fault detection and communication in analog power electronic circuits with a multiplicity of electronic fuses (e.g., a primary fuse and at least one secondary fuse). Current flow is monitored through each fuse. Fault conditions in these electronic fuses are identified. Upon detection, the fault signaling line, which is common to all fuses, is driven to a voltage indicative of the detected fault condition. The primary electronic fuse then latches the voltage on this fault signaling line. A detection and communication circuit enables corrective actions to be performed at the fuse level, dictated by the latched voltage.
Claims13
An analog power electronic circuit, comprising:
- an input node and a voltage node;
- a primary fuse configured to conduct a first current between the input node and the voltage node, the primary fuse comprising:
- a logic circuit configured to generate an output indicative of a fault within the analog power electronic circuit and a severity of said fault;
- a priority encoder configured to receive the output from the logic circuit and to assert one of a plurality of control signals corresponding to the severity of the fault;
- a plurality of switches, wherein each switch is controlled by a different one of the plurality of control signals to selectively couple an intermediate node to a voltage corresponding to the severity of the fault;
- and
- a current sinking circuit configured to sink sufficient current from a feedback node so as to set the feedback node to the voltage corresponding to the severity of the fault;
- a fault signaling line coupled to the feedback node;
- and
- a secondary fuse in parallel with the primary fuse and configured to conduct a second current between the input node and the voltage node, wherein the secondary fuse is configured to:
- detect whether a fault is present within the secondary fuse;
- and
- set the fault signaling line with a voltage corresponding to the severity of the fault for a duration of a pulse, in response to detection of the fault present within the secondary fuse.
An analog power electronic circuit, comprising:
- a primary fuse configured to conduct a first current between an input node and a voltage node, the primary fuse comprising:
- a priority encoder configured to receive a fault indication and to assert one of a plurality of control signals corresponding to the severity of the fault indicated by the fault indication;
- a plurality of switches configured to selectively couple an intermediate node to a voltage corresponding to the severity of the fault;
- and
- a current sinking circuit configured to sink sufficient current from a feedback node so as to set the feedback node to the voltage corresponding to the severity of the fault;
- a fault signaling line coupled to the feedback node;
- a secondary fuse in parallel with the primary fuse and configured to conduct a second current between the input node and the voltage node, the secondary fuse configured to:
- detect whether a fault is present within the secondary fuse;
- and
- set the fault signaling line with a voltage corresponding to the severity of the fault for a duration of a pulse, in response to detection of the fault present within the secondary fuse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.