System and method having a first and a second operating mode for driving an electronic switch

An electronic circuit comprising:

• a drive circuit configured to be coupled to a control terminal of an electronic switch, the drive circuit configured to
• operate the electronic switch in a first operation mode for a first time period after a signal level of an input signal has changed from an off-level to an on-level, wherein the first operation mode comprises driving the electronic switch dependent on a voltage across a load coupled to the electronic switch and dependent on a temperature of the electronic switch, and
• operate the electronic switch in a second operation mode after the first time period ends, wherein the second operation mode comprises driving the electronic switch dependent on the temperature according to a hysteresis curve, wherein
• the drive circuit in the first operation mode is configured to operate the electronic switch in a first current limiting mode in which the current through the electronic switch is limited to a first current limit, and
• the drive circuit in the first operation mode is further configured to operate the electronic switch in a second current limiting mode in which current through the electronic switch is limited to a second current limit higher than the first current limit, when in the first current limiting mode, the temperature rises above a first temperature threshold and a load voltage meets a first condition.

An electronic circuit comprising:

• a drive circuit configured to be coupled to a control terminal of an electronic switch, the drive circuit configured to
• operate the electronic switch in a first operation mode for a first time period after a signal level of an input signal has changed from an off-level to an on-level, wherein the first operation mode comprises switching the electronic switch off when a temperature of the electronic switch reaches a first temperature threshold, wherein the drive circuit is further configured in the first operation mode to
• operate the electronic switch in a first current limiting mode in which current through the electronic switch is limited to a first current limit, wherein when in the first current limiting mode, the temperature rises above a third temperature threshold and a load voltage meets a first condition, and
• operate the electronic switch in a second current limiting mode in which current through the electronic switch is limited to a second current limit higher than the first current limit;
• and
• operating the electronic switch in a second operation mode after the first time period, wherein the second operation mode comprises driving the electronic switch dependent on the temperature according to a hysteresis curve, wherein the electronic switch is switched off when the temperature of the electronic switch reaches a second temperature threshold lower than the first temperature threshold.