US 2017/0288660 A1 · Ultra-Low Quiescent Current Multi-Function Switching Circuit and Method for Connecting a Voltage Source to an Output Load with Deep Sleep Capability

Abstract

Described are apparatus and methods for a load switch with reset and deep sleep capability. The slew rate control methods of the PMOS load switches contained in the load switch configuration is also described. A preferred slew rate control circuit includes a power PMOS transistor that is capable of handling load currents of several amperes along with an integrated controller. The integrated reset and deep sleep functions allow the user to control the basic timing control of the voltages that are required by the system and to save battery power in an extended deep sleep mode such as storage and shipping.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A multi-function switching circuit (MFSC) for switchably connecting an external input voltage source (IVS) to an external output load (OL) with a controllable inrush current (CIC) through the OL upon turn-on, the MFSC comprising:

i. a power PMOS transistor (PS) driving the OL with, upon turn-on of the PS, the CIC through the PS;
ii. a switch controller (SC) having a controllable discharge current and an SC output signal, named as load switch control voltage (LSCV), connected to the PS gate for generating the CIC with a controllable rise time and slew rate;
and
iii. an input /SRO, an input control signal pin, coupled to an external input button (IB) and a signal input end of the SC for triggering the SC thereby generating the CIC.

1 more element

A method for switchably connecting an external input voltage source (IVS) to an external output load (OL) with a controllable inrush current (CIC) through the OL upon turn-on, the method comprises providing a multi-function switching circuit (MFSC) for switchably connecting the IVS to the OL wherein providing the MFSC comprising providing:

i. a power PMOS transistor (PS) driving the OL with, upon turn-on of the PS, the CIC through the PS;
ii. a switch controller (SC) having a controllable discharge current and an SC output signal, named as load switch control voltage (LSCV), connected to the PS gate for generating the CIC with a controllable rise time and slew rate;
and
iii. an input /SRO, an input control signal pin, coupled to an external input button (IB) and a signal input end of the SC for triggering the SC thereby generating the CIC.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/632,243Filed 23 Jun 2017

Priority

26 Aug 2014

Published

5 Oct 2017

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H03K 17/0822
By feedback from the output to the control circuit: in field-effect transistor switches
H03K 17/161
Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents: in field-effect transistor switches
H03K 17/20
Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking: modifications for resetting core switching units to a predetermined state
H03K 2217/0036
Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00: means reducing energy…

Family

Application14/469,270Continuation in part · filed 26 Aug 2014

Application14/586,586Continuation in part · filed 30 Dec 2014

Application14/638,989Continuation in part · filed 4 Mar 2015

Application15/632,243Continuation in part

US 2016/0261261 A1Published application

US 9,647,657 B1Related patent

US 9,825,468 B1Related patent

US 2017/0288660 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Ultra-Low Quiescent Current Multi-Function Switching Circuit and Method for Connecting a Voltage Source to an Output Load with Deep Sleep Capability

Life of this patent

Ultra-Low Quiescent Current Multi-Function Switching Circuit and Method for Connecting a Voltage Source to an Output Load with Deep Sleep Capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28