Ground loss detection and output channel disablement

A circuit comprising:

• a digital circuit configured to receive an input signal and to generate a control signal for enabling/disabling an output channel associated with a load;
• a pullup circuit configured to receive the control signal and to enable the output channel in response to the control signal having a first value by controlling a gate of a switch that controls power being supplied from a power source to the load;
• a first pulldown circuit configured to receive the control signal and to disable the output channel in response to the control signal having a second value by controlling the gate of the switch;
• a ground loss detection unit configured to detect a loss of connection to a ground by comparing a voltage associated with the ground to an auxiliary voltage, wherein the auxiliary voltage is derived from the power source, wherein the ground loss detection unit is configured to generate a ground loss triggering signal having a first value in response to detecting loss of connection to the ground and having a second value in response to not detecting the loss of connection to the ground;
• and
• a second pulldown circuit configured to receive the ground loss triggering signal having the first value and in response thereto pull a gate of the switch to a source of the switch.

A system comprising:

• a power source;
• a microcontroller configured to generate an output signal for enabling/disabling an output channel, wherein the microcontroller is powered by an auxiliary voltage derived from the power source;
• a circuit configured to receive the output signal from the microcontroller and further configured to enable/disable the output channel in response thereto, wherein the microcontroller is powered by the auxiliary voltage, and wherein the circuit comprises:
• a digital circuit configured to receive the output signal and to generate a control signal for enabling/disabling an output channel associated with a load;
• a pullup circuit configured to receive the control signal and to enable the output channel in response to the control signal having a first value by controlling a gate of a switch that controls power being supplied from the power source to the load;
• a first pulldown circuit configured to receive the control signal and to disable the output channel in response to the control signal having a second value by controlling the gate of the switch;
• a ground loss detection unit configured to detect a loss of connection to a ground by comparing a voltage associated with the ground to an auxiliary voltage, wherein the auxiliary voltage is derived from the power source, wherein the ground loss detection unit is configured to generate a ground loss triggering signal having a first value in response to detecting loss of connection to the ground and having a second value in response to not detecting loss of connection to the ground;
• and
• a second pulldown circuit configured to receive the ground loss triggering signal having the first value and in response thereto pull a gate of the switch to a source of the switch;
• and
• the load coupled to the circuit that is powered by the power source when the output channel is enabled and is unpowered by the power source when the output channel is disabled.