Circuit configuration for identifying a fault state
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsUdo Ausserlechner, Ernst Bodenstorfer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
To identify a fault state, for example, a break in a supply line, while maintaining operational reliability, a circuit configuration for identifying a fault state includes a first transistor of a normally on type having a voltage that pinches off its channel at a control input in a normal operating state and the channel of the transistor having low impedance in a fault state. As a result, preferably, the output of a linear amplifier stage can be connected to the intact potential in the event of a break in the supply line.
Claims24
A circuit configuration for identifying a fault state, comprising:
- three terminals including:
- a first circuit node to be connected to a voltage source through an electrical load;
- a supply terminal to be connected to a voltage source, said supply terminal supplying a supply potential from the voltage source;
- and
- a ground terminal to be connected to the voltage source, said ground terminal supplying a reference-ground potential;
- a signal-processing circuit having an output connected to said first circuit node;
- a normally on type first transistor having:
- a channel;
- a control input;
- a first load terminal connected to said first circuit node;
- and
- a second load terminal connected to one of said supply terminal and said ground terminal;
- said control input having a voltage present thereat pinching off said channel of said first transistor in a normal operating state;
- and
- said first and second load terminals of said first transistor being connected in a low-impedance manner through said channel in a fault state.
A circuit configuration for identifying a fault state, comprising:
- three terminals including:
- a first circuit node to be connected to a voltage source and to which an electrical load is to be connected;
- a terminal for a supply potential to be connected to the voltage source;
- and
- a terminal for a reference-ground potential to be connected to the voltage source;
- a signal-processing circuit having an output connected to said first circuit node;
- a normally on type first transistor having:
- a channel;
- a control input;
- a first load terminal connected to said first circuit node;
- and
- a second load terminal connected to one of said supply terminal and said ground terminal;
- said control input having a voltage present thereat pinching off said channel of said first transistor in a normal operating state;
- and
- said first and second load terminals of said first transistor being connected in a low-impedance manner through said channel in a fault state.
A circuit configuration for identifying a fault state, comprising:
- an electrical circuit having:
- a fault state;
- three terminals including:
- a first circuit node to be connected to a voltage source through an electrical load;
- a supply terminal to be connected to a voltage source, said supply terminal supplying a supply potential from the voltage source;
- and
- a ground terminal to be connected to the voltage source, said ground terminal supplying a reference-ground potential;
- a signal-processing circuit having an output connected to said first circuit node;
- a normally on type transistor having:
- a channel;
- a control input;
- a first load terminal connected to said first circuit node;
- and
- a second load terminal connected to one of said supply terminal and said ground terminal;
- and
- a normal operating state in which a voltage is present at said control input and pinches off said channel of said transistor;
- and
- a fault state in which said first and second load terminals of said transistor are connected in a low-impedance manner through said channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.