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AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsSergio Tommaso Spampinato, Antonino Torres
Estimating the term…
A thermal control circuit for an integrated power transistor includes a current generator controlled by a turn on signal, a sensing resistance in series with the power transistor, and a current limiter acting when the voltage drop on the sensing resistance overcomes a certain value. The circuit also includes a current amplifier coupled to the output node of the controlled current generator for outputting a drive current that is injected onto a control node of the power transistor. A soft thermal shut down circuit is provided having a conduction state which is enhanced as the temperature increases for reducing the drive current. The circuit controls the voltage on the power transistor in a more effective manner because the current amplifier has a variable gain controlled by the state of conduction of the soft thermal shut down circuit.
A thermal control circuit for a power transistor, the power transistor having a control node, the thermal control circuit comprising:
A thermal control circuit for a power transistor, the power transistor having a control node, the thermal control circuit comprising:
An integrated circuit comprising:
A method of operating a thermal control circuit connected to a power transistor and comprising a current generator producing a bias current, a current amplifier connected to the current generator for outputting a drive current to the power transistor, and a soft thermal shut down circuit having a state of conduction being enhanced as a temperature increases for reducing drive current for the power transistor, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.