Circuit arrangement and method for generating a time-limited signal

Circuit arrangement (SA) for performing a method for generating a time-limited signal (S1) with a first switching unit (SE1) that has a current input (STE1) and an actuating terminal (STA1), a second switching unit (SE2) that has an actuating terminal (STE2) and a current output (STA2), a first capacitive element (C1), a second capacitive element (C2), a third capacitive element (C3) and a signal output (A1),

• wherein:
• the three capacitive elements (C1, C2, C3) are connected in series as a capacitive voltage divider,
• the current input (STE1) of the first switching unit (SE1) is connected to a first divider junction (K1) of the capacitive voltage divider,
• the current output (STA2) of the second switching unit (SE2) is connected to a second divider junction (K2) of the capacitive voltage divider,
• the actuating terminal (STA1) of the first switching unit (SE1) is connected to the actuating terminal (STE2) of the second switching unit (SE2), and
• the signal output (A1) of the circuit arrangement (SA) is connected to err another output (A) of the first switching unit (SE1).

A method of generating a time-limited signal, comprising the steps:

• a) applying a supply voltage to a capacitive voltage divider including first and second divider junctions between first, second and third capacitances in series, thereby charging said voltage divider while establishing a first voltage at said first divider junction and a second voltage at said second divider junction;
• b) at least partially discharging said first divider junction;
• c) in response to and dependent on a varying first voltage level of said first voltage being no less than a first voltage threshold, selectively applying an additional charging current to said second divider junction in addition to said charging of said voltage divider;
• and
• d) generating a time-limited signal in response to and dependent on at least one of:
• i) said first voltage level of said first voltage, and
• ii) a charging rate of a second voltage level of said second voltage.

A circuit arrangement for generating a time-limited signal at a circuit signal output thereof, said circuit arrangement comprising:

• a first circuit terminal, a second circuit terminal, and said circuit signal output;
• a first switching unit including a first current input, a first current output, and a first actuating terminal;
• a second switching unit including a second current input, a second current output, and a second actuating terminal;
• and
• a capacitive voltage divider including first, second and third capacitances that are connected in series with one another between said first circuit terminal and said second circuit terminal, with a first divider junction between said first and second capacitances and a second divider junction between said second and third capacitances;
• wherein:
• said first, second and third capacitances are each respectively a respective capacitance included in one of said switching units or a respective discrete capacitor separate from said switching units;
• said first current input of said first switching unit is connected to said first divider junction;
• said first current output of said first switching unit is connected to said first circuit terminal;
• said first actuating terminal of said first switching unit is connected to said second actuating terminal of said second switching unit;
• said second current input of said second switching unit is connected to said second circuit terminal;
• said second current output of said second switching unit is connected to said second divider junction;
• and
• said circuit signal output is connected to a switching unit signal output of one of said switching units or to said second divider junction.