Abstract: A solid-state switch, comprising at least one switch controller. At least one switch having a first terminal coupled to a power source, a second terminal coupled to the power source and a control terminal coupled to the switch controller and configured to selectively conduct and block current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal. At least one power converter coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to convert power from the power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and to provide power at the second voltage level to the switch controller.

Abstract: A switch controller, an isolated system incorporating an integrated circuit (IC) and a method of operating a power switch. In one embodiment, the IC includes: (1) a monolithic substrate, (2) a drive circuit supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to drive a power switch, (3) a diagnostics block supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to provide diagnostic signals indicating at least one attribute associated with the power switch and (4) a control block supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to drive the drive circuit in response to control signals developed based on the diagnostic signals.

Abstract: A solid-state switch, comprising at least one switch controller. At least one switch having a first terminal coupled to a power source, a second terminal coupled to the power source and a control terminal coupled to the switch controller and configured to selectively conduct and block current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal. At least one power converter coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to convert power from the power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and to provide power at the second voltage level to the switch controller.

Abstract: A solid-state switch, comprising at least one switch controller. At least one switch having a first terminal coupled to a power source, a second terminal coupled to the power source and a control terminal coupled to the switch controller and configured to selectively conduct and block current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal. At least one power converter coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to convert power from the power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and to provide power at the second voltage level to the switch controller.

Abstract: A switch controller, an isolated system incorporating an integrated circuit (IC) and a method of operating a power switch. In one embodiment, the IC includes: (1) a monolithic substrate, (2) a drive circuit supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to drive a power switch, (3) a diagnostics block supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to provide diagnostic signals indicating at least one attribute associated with the power switch and (4) a control block supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to drive the drive circuit in response to control signals developed based on the diagnostic signals.

Abstract: A solid-state switch, comprising at least one switch controller. At least one switch having a first terminal coupled to a power source, a second terminal coupled to the power source and a control terminal coupled to the switch controller and configured to selectively conduct and block current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal. At least one power converter coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to convert power from the power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and to provide power at the second voltage level to the switch controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fault protection circuit, a method of operating a fault protection circuit and a voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the fault protection circuit is for use with the voltage regulator and includes an output power section having first and second MOS transistors configured to provide a regulated voltage on an output node of the voltage regulator. The fault protection circuit also includes a gate pull-down section connected to the first and second MOS transistors and configured to provide a gate pull-down MOS transistor to limit a current through the first and second MOS transistors during a current overload fault condition on the output node.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fault protection circuit, a method of operating a fault protection circuit and a voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the fault protection circuit is for use with the voltage regulator and includes an output power section having first and second MOS transistors configured to provide a regulated voltage on an output node of the voltage regulator. The fault protection circuit also includes a gate pull-down section connected to the first and second MOS transistors and configured to provide a gate pull-down MOS transistor to limit a current through the first and second MOS transistors during a current overload fault condition on the output node.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for comparing signals are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide comparator circuits with programmable hysteresis. Such circuits include a comparator input circuit that receives two inputs to be compared. The comparator input circuit provides a first differential current output based at least in part on a difference between the first voltage input and the second voltage input. The aforementioned circuits further include a hysteresis control circuit that is operable to receive a single programmable voltage input, and to provide a second differential current output based at least in part on the comparator output and the single programmable voltage input. An output circuit is also included that sums the first differential current and the second differential current, and provides a comparator output based at least in part on the sum of the first differential current and the second differential current.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fault protection circuit, a method of operating a fault protection circuit and a voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the fault protection circuit is for use with the voltage regulator and includes an output power section having first and second MOS transistors configured to provide a regulated voltage on an output node of the voltage regulator. The fault protection circuit also includes a gate pull-down section connected to the first and second MOS transistors and configured to provide a gate pull-down MOS transistor to limit a current through the first and second MOS transistors during a current overload fault condition on the output node.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for comparing signals are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide comparator circuits with programmable hysteresis. Such circuits include a comparator input circuit that receives two inputs to be compared. The comparator input circuit provides a first differential current output based at least in part on a difference between the first voltage input and the second voltage input. The aforementioned circuits further include a hysteresis control circuit that is operable to receive a single programmable voltage input, and to provide a second differential current output based at least in part on the comparator output and the single programmable voltage input. An output circuit is also included that sums the first differential current and the second differential current, and provides a comparator output based at least in part on the sum of the first differential current and the second differential current.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a load at a desired operating level. A driver is connected to a load. The load can be selected from a plurality of loads by a selection system, such as a multiplexer, or a single load can be utilized. Feedback from the load is provided to the driver for achieving the desired operating level. A zero temperature coefficient resistance formed by two resistors having different resistances can be used so that the driver emulates an ideal resistor having a substantially zero temperature coefficient, providing a temperature independent current to the load.