Abstract:
In general, the disclosure describes circuits and techniques to operate power switch driver circuits as well as techniques to dynamically change configuration parameters. The power switch driver circuit of this disclosure may be configured to received communication signals along the same signal paths as for pulse modulated switching control signals. In other words, the power switch driver circuit may receive a main function signaling, switching the power switches on and off, overlaid with a secondary function signaling, communication, which may include configuration parameters. In this manner the power switch driver circuit may receive both switching (commutation) function and communication function along the same signal path.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes using a monitoring circuit disposed on a monolithic integrated circuit to monitor an output signal of a first switching transistor for a first output edge transition at a monitoring terminal of the monolithic integrated circuit; using a time measuring circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to measure a first time delay between a first input edge transition of a first drive signal and the first output edge transition, where the first drive signal is configured to cause a change of state of the first switching transistor; using an analysis circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to compare the measured first time delay with a first predetermined threshold to form a first comparison result; and indicating a first error condition based on the first comparison result.
Abstract:
A method includes applying a current to an input pin of an integrated circuit; converting an analog signal at the input pin to a digital stream using a Sigma-Delta modulator; converting the digital stream to a first digital output signal proportional to the analog signal in a first input range between a first analog signal value and a second analog signal value, where the first input range corresponds to a pre-determined range of the analog signal smaller than a full-scale input range of the analog signal; converting the digital stream to a second output signal; comparing the second output signal to a first threshold corresponding to a third analog signal value at the input pin that is outside of the first input range; and providing an indication of an open circuit condition at the input pin when the second output signal crosses the first threshold.
Abstract:
A method of monitoring a gate of a transistor includes monitoring a gate voltage of the transistor; measuring a first time difference between when a gate control signal is asserted and when the gate voltage of the transistor crosses a first voltage threshold based on the monitoring; measuring a second time difference between when the gate voltage of the transistor crosses the first voltage threshold and when the gate voltage of the transistor crosses a second voltage threshold based on the monitoring; and determining whether the first time difference falls within a first time window, and whether the second time difference falls within a second time window.
Abstract:
In general, the disclosure describes circuits and techniques to operate power switch driver circuits as well as techniques to dynamically change configuration parameters. The power switch driver circuit of this disclosure may be configured to received communication signals along the same signal paths as for pulse modulated switching control signals. In other words, the power switch driver circuit may receive a main function signaling, switching the power switches on and off, overlaid with a secondary function signaling, communication, which may include configuration parameters. In this manner the power switch driver circuit may receive both switching (commutation) function and communication function along the same signal path.
Abstract:
One aspect of the invention relates to a shielding device for shielding from electromagnetic radiation, including a shielding base element, a shielding cover element and a shielding lateral element for electrically connecting the base element to the cover element in such that a circuit part to be shielded is arranged within the shielding elements. Since at least one partial section of the shielding elements includes a semiconductor material, a shielding device can be realized completely and cost-effectively in an integrated circuit.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit arrangement (100, 200, 600) has a first circuit part (102, 202, 602) which can be supplied with a first supply voltage (106, 206, 606), and a second circuit part (104, 204, 604) which can be supplied with a second supply voltage (108, 208, 608). The first circuit part and the second circuit part are arranged in a manner spatially separate from one another. The first circuit part has a first conduction element (110, 210, 310, 410, 610), and the second circuit part has a second conduction element (112, 212, 312, 412, 612). The integrated circuit arrangement also has a third conduction element (114, 214, 314, 414, 614), the third conduction element being arranged between the first conduction element and the second conduction element in such a manner that the third conduction element is arranged adjacent to the first conduction element and the third conduction element is also arranged adjacent to the second conduction element. The third conduction element can be supplied with a reference potential (116, 216, 616) at a first end, and the third conduction element is connected, at a second end, to an evaluation circuit (118, 218, 618) for detecting a short circuit from the first conduction element to the third conduction element or from the second conduction element to the third conduction element.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes monitoring a first voltage across a buffer capacitor; activating a first current path between a power supply node and the buffer capacitor when the monitored first voltage is below a first threshold voltage, activating a second current path between the power supply node and the buffer capacitor when the monitored first voltage is below a second threshold voltage, and transferring power from the buffer capacitor to a driver circuit coupled across the buffer capacitor.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an electronic drive circuit and a drive method. The drive circuit includes an output; a first output transistor comprising a control node and a load path, wherein the load path is coupled between the output and a first supply node; a voltage regulator configured to control a voltage across the load path of the first output transistor; and a first driver configured to drive the first output transistor based on a first control signal.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit arrangement (100, 200, 600) has a first circuit part (102, 202, 602) which can be supplied with a first supply voltage (106, 206, 606), and a second circuit part (104, 204, 604) which can be supplied with a second supply voltage (108, 208, 608). The first circuit part and the second circuit part are arranged in a manner spatially separate from one another. The first circuit part has a first conduction element (110, 210, 310, 410, 610), and the second circuit part has a second conduction element (112, 212, 312, 412, 612). The integrated circuit arrangement also has a third conduction element (114, 214, 314, 414, 614), the third conduction element being arranged between the first conduction element and the second conduction element in such a manner that the third conduction element is arranged adjacent to the first conduction element and the third conduction element is also arranged adjacent to the second conduction element. The third conduction element can be supplied with a reference potential (116, 216, 616) at a first end, and the third conduction element is connected, at a second end, to an evaluation circuit (118, 218, 618) for detecting a short circuit from the first conduction element to the third conduction element or from the second conduction element to the third conduction element.