Overcurrent protection method and device
AssigneeInfineon Technologies Austria AG
InventorStefan Hermann GROIß
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Abstract
The present document relates to overcurrent protection methods and devices. In particular, the present document relates to overcurrent protection methods and devices for gate drivers which are receiving short pulse width modulation (PWM) pulses. In particular, a method of detecting an overcurrent in a switched mode power supply comprising a high side switching element and a low side switching element is described. The method may comprise sensing, in a first mode of operation, during a first sensing time interval when the low side switching element is turned on, a first current indicative of a load current. The method may comprise detecting an overcurrent condition if the first current exceeds a first threshold value.
Claims15
1) A method of detecting an overcurrent in a switched mode power supply comprising a high side switching element and a low side switching element, the method comprising:
- sensing, in a first mode of operation, during a first sensing time interval when the low side switching element is turned on, a first current indicative of a load current;
- and
- detecting an overcurrent condition based on the first current exceeding a first threshold value.
15) A power stage comprising:
- a high side switching element;
- a low side switching element;
- and
- an overcurrent protection circuit including a current sensor, the current sensor configured to sense, in a first mode of operation, during a first sensing time interval, when the low side switching element is turned on, a first current indicative of a load current;
- and
- wherein the overcurrent protection circuit is configured to detect an overcurrent condition based on detection of the first current exceeding a first threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.