Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a process, temperature and over-drive invariant over-current protection circuit. The over-current protection circuit comprises a power transistor, a sense transistor, at least one current sense transistor and at least one current reference transistor. The over-current protection circuit provides a current limit trip value that remains substantially constant over temperature variations, and over-drive voltage variations, and process variations.

Abstract: An electrical barrier for connecting a power supply to electrical equipment to be used in a potentially explosive area. The barrier includes a shunt zener diode for limiting the output voltage and a series resistance for limiting the current. In the arrangement shown, the shunt zener diode is a silicon carbide zener diode which has a higher resistance to large output current and/or operating temperature than zener diodes fabricated commercially.

Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide silicon (CMOS) image sensor includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a plurality of pixels located in the semiconductor layer, a photoelectric converter located in each of the plurality of pixels in the semiconductor layer and includes a region doped with impurities of a second conductivity type. The CMOS image sensor further includes a deep well of a first conductivity type located in a lower position than the photoelectric converter in the semiconductor layer and has a higher impurity concentration than that of the semiconductor layer. The deep well is located only in a portion of each of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for balancing current through a first conductor and a second conductor. A method comprises determining if a first current through the first conductor is greater than a second current through the second conductor by more than a threshold value. The first current and the second current are received from a ground fault current interrupt device. The method further comprises increasing the second current in response to determining that the first current is greater than the second current by more than the threshold value.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated device includes a plurality of power system circuit units, a first circuit unit to which electric power is supplied from first power supply wiring, and first ground wiring to which the first circuit unit is coupled. Moreover, the semiconductor integrated device includes a second circuit unit to which electric power is supplied from second power supply wiring, and second ground wiring coupled to the second circuit unit. The first circuit unit includes a first interface circuit unit, and the second circuit unit includes a second interface circuit unit configured to perform inputting or outputting of a signal to and from the first interface circuit unit. The second interface circuit unit is placed in the vicinity of the first interface circuit unit according to a determined arrangement.

Abstract: An integral impedence is formed on or within a lead frame pin of a semiconductor package and receives a connection from an electrode of a semiconductor die within the package to eliminate the need for adjustment and protective impedences external of the package. The impedence comprises passives such as resistors, capacitors, diodes or inductors which modify the performance of the package for new semiconductor device characteristics. The impedences may have positive or negative temperature coefficients and are in close thermal communication with the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A current sensing module is provided for contactors and similar switch gear. The current sensing module is packaged so as to be capable of mounting on a line or a load side of a contactor. The current sensing module may be eliminated where current signals are not needed, but can be added to the package where monitoring and control functions may benefit from sensed current signals on either or both sides of a contactor. The current sensing module may be configured as a single or multiple-phase device, and may output either analog or digital signals to local devices or to networked devices.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device for providing an ESD path between two circuitries is provided. Each circuitry has a power supply terminal and a ground terminal. The protection device comprises an equivalent MOS, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The equivalent MOS comprises a source, a drain and a gate, wherein the drain is connected to the gate. The first terminal is connected to the gate, while the second terminal is connected to the source. The first terminal is connected to one power supply terminal and ground terminal, whereas the second terminal is connected to the other the power supply terminal and ground terminal.

Abstract: The UHF transponder includes protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) formed by the modulation transistor (T1) and additional control means (20) for said transistor which fulfils two functions: its first response signal modulation function and an additional ESD protection function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating arc faults in a power generation system includes reducing and/or eliminating voltage when an arc is present, to protect the system from associated damage.

Abstract: ESD protection devices without current crowding effect at the finger's ends. It is applied under MM ESD stress in sub-quarter-micron CMOS technology. The ESD discharging current path in the NMOS or PMOS device structure is changed by the proposed new structures, therefore the MM ESD level of the NMOS and PMOS can be significantly improved. In this invention, 6 kinds of new structures are provided. The current crowding problem can be successfully solved, and have a higher MM ESD robustness. Moreover, these novel devices will not degrade the HBM ESD level and are widely used in ESD protection circuits.

Abstract: A circuit device includes a diode bridge having a first power input and a second power input and having a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The diode bridge includes a plurality of diodes and a respective plurality of diode bypass elements associated with the plurality of diodes. The circuit device further includes a logic circuit to detect a power event at the first and second power inputs and to selectively activate one or more of the respective plurality of diode bypass elements in response to detecting the power event to limit a rectified power supply at the first and second output terminals.

Abstract: A wiring fault correction circuit for determining wiring conditions of an AC supply system includes: input line and neutral conductors connectable to the AC supply system; output line and neutral conductors connectable to a load; first, second, third, and fourth single pole, single throw relays; a first driver circuit for controlling the first and second single pole, single throw relays to respectively connect the input line conductor to the output line conductor and the input neutral conductor to the output neutral conductor in response to a correctly wired AC supply system; and a second driver circuit for controlling the third and fourth single pole, single throw relays to respectively connect the input line conductor to the output neutral conductor and the input neutral conductor to the output line conductor in response to an incorrectly wired AC supply system in which line and neutral conductors are reversed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a power driver system. The power driver system comprises a power transistor that is activated to provide power to a load and a switching circuit configured to control the power transistor based on a control signal. The power driver system further comprises a control circuit configured to detect a flyback current from the load upon deactivation of the power transistor and to cause the switching circuit to steer the flyback current from a first flyback current path to a second flyback current path in response to detecting the flyback current path. The second flyback current path can have an impedance that is greater than the first flyback current path.

Abstract: A current-limiting circuit, which limits an electrical current from a voltage source to a consumer to a predetermined maximum current. At least one measuring resistor (110) is connected in a current lead (14) between a circuit input (12) and a circuit output (16). At least two current control elements (100, 100?; 106, 106?) are connected in series to the at least one measuring resistor (110), each of these elements having a voltage-dependent control unit (100, 100?; 116, 116?) allocated to it. Each control unit (100, 100?; 116, 116?) is connected to a voltage tap (112, 114; 112?, 114?) that is allocated to it and taps a voltage drop across the one measuring resistor (110), such that the plurality of voltage taps (112, 114; 112? 114?), which are allocated respectively to the various control units (100, 100?; 106, 106?), tap the voltage drop across the one measuring resistor (110).

Abstract: An integrated circuit radio transceiver and method therefor includes a linear regulator an output transistor for producing a current into an output node of the regulator wherein an amplification block is operable to produce a bias signal to a gate terminal of the output transistor to operably bias the output transistor to produce the current into the output node of the regulator. A current steering amplification block is operably disposed to steer current in/out of the gate of the output transistor (depending on device type) based upon the current being conducted through the output node of the regulator exceeding a specified threshold. The current steering amplification block further includes a current sinking element operably disposed to sink a specified amount of current to define the specified threshold.

Abstract: In a method and system for protecting a battery being charged by an electrical device, a current flowing through a cell stack of the battery is measured. If the measured current is greater than a predefined value the battery is isolated from the device. If subsequent current measurements made within a predefined time interval indicate that the measured current is less than or equal to the predefined value then the battery is recoupled to the device. If the measured current remains greater than the predefined value during the predefined time interval then a fuse is blown and the battery is disabled.

Abstract: A driver circuit for an electronic switch, the driver circuit having a first input for receiving a first control signal, and a second input for receiving a signal from a current sensor, the driver circuit further including a shut-off circuit for operating the electronic switch to cause an interruption to current flow in the event of a fault condition arising, such as current through the electronic switch exceeding a predetermined threshold, wherein operation of the shut-off circuit can be invoked by a predetermined event at the first input.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a breaker enclosure, a plurality of conductor connections, and a temperature sensor. The breaker enclosure contains internal components that include a trip unit. The plurality of conductor connections electrically couple the trip unit to a plurality of power conductors. The temperature sensor is located to sense heat radiated by the conductor connections and is positioned inside the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overload protection circuit having a first switch connected at a first side to a source of electrical power and at a second side to a load, the switch having on and off modes and a second switch connected between the first switch second side and ground, the second switch having on and off modes. A control module generates at least one signal controlling the first switch mode and the second switch mode wherein the signal turns the second switch to the off mode when turning the first switch to the on mode and the signal turning the second switch to an on mode when turning the first switch to the off mode. Both over current and leakage protection are thereby achieved.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a MOSFET based switch that includes two back-to-back FET to block current flow in the OFF state irrespective of the polarity of the voltage differential across the switch. The MOSFET based switch further has a built-in current limit function by sensing the current flow through one of the two MOSFET switches. Furthermore, the bilateral current-limited switch further includes circuitry required for controlling both P type and N type FET in either common drain or common source configuration.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a problem of heat generation and power loss is alleviated, and the semiconductor device is protected against the failure due to the overcurrent. The semiconductor device includes an IC chip having a large-current output. In the IC chip a measuring terminal is electrically connected with a first pad via a gold wire. A potential difference generated by the impedance of the gold wire is compared with a predetermined value. When the potential difference exceeds the predetermined threshold level, the semiconductor device operates to turn off a PMOS-type transistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-resetting span power protection are provided. In one embodiment, a method for deactivating a protective device is provided. The method comprises determining when an overload condition occurs on a communication medium; when the overload condition occurs, deactivating at least one protective device by applying, for a first predetermined period of time, a short-circuit to an output of a power supply that provides a holding current to the at least one protective device; and after the first predetermined period of time has elapsed, removing the short-circuit on the output of the power supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit for controlling the power supplied from a power source to an electromotor, whereby the control circuit comprises a semiconductor switching element connected in series to the electromotor and the power source for controlling the power supplied to the electromotor and operating means connected to the semiconductor switching element for controlling the semiconductor switching element, whereby the operating means are arranged for controlling the semiconductor switching element when the control range of the semiconductor switching element is exceeded for at least a moment in a fully conducting state. Because the current reaches this value for at least a moment, the switch no longer has to interrupt a relatively large current.

Abstract: An insulated gate bipolar transistor and a protective circuit are incorporated. The protective circuit has first and second Zener diodes connected in series in directions opposite to each other between the gate and the current sense terminal of the insulated gate bipolar transistor, and third and fourth Zener diodes connected in series in directions opposite to each other between the gate and the emitter of the insulated gate bipolar transistor.

Abstract: An active matrix device includes a substrate, scan lines, data lines, pixels, electrostatic discharge ring, a circuit board and a electrostatic protection circuit. The scan lines and data lines are disposed on the substrate, in which the data lines cross the scan lines. The pixels are electrically coupled to the data lines and the scan lines. The electrostatic discharge ring is disposed on the substrate. The electrostatic protection circuit is coupled between the electrostatic discharge ring and the circuit board, in which the electrostatic protection circuit prevents the electrostatic current on the circuit board from entering the substrate.

Abstract: Data transmission circuit with ESD protection comprises a first set of data lines and a second set of data lines; a first set of ESD protection components coupled to the first set of data lines; a second set of ESD protection components coupled to the second set of data lines; a first current path coupled to the first set of ESD protection components for dispensing the ESD current; and a second current path coupled to the second set of ESD protection components for dispensing the ESD current.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for protection of an integrated circuit device includes but is not limited to detecting a first current in the integrated circuit device, wherein the first current is caused by a second current; and shunting the second current away from the integrated circuit device in response to detecting the first current. Such detecting may include but not be limited to detecting the first current by detecting a voltage drop across a sensing resistor, which may include but not be limited to using at least two sensing transistors. Such shunting may include but not be limited to using at least one shunting transistor.

Abstract: A protection circuit can be prevented from malfunctioning due to the parasitic operation attributable to the unstable base potential of a transistor. In one embodiment, the protection circuit can be constituted by a reverse transistor system where the bases of transistors are connected to the collectors so that bases and collector potentials are the same. With the above configuration, the base potential is stabilized, and even if a parasitic potential is applied to the base as noise, malfunction associated with transistors turn on due to parasitic operation can be prevented. Since the base potential is stabilized, the protection circuit transistors turn on with greater certainty when a surge current occurs such that the surge current is absorbed by the protection circuit and flows to GND.

Abstract: An active clamp device electrically couples first and second nodes in respective first and second supply domains referenced to ground potentials that can be different. The active clamp device comprises first and second active devices controlled by signals respectively referenced to the first and second supply domains that create a short-circuit or low impedance connection between the first and second nodes in normal operation and drive impedance between the first and second nodes high in response to a transient event.

Abstract: A device is protected from induced or unexpected current spikes or surges, by receiving the current spikes through a conducting wire. The conducting wire is placed adjacent to a parallel conducting wire having opposing current flow. Magnetic fluxes in either conducting wire create induced currents that reduce the current in the other conducting wire.

Abstract: A metering device of a power substation and method are provided for operating on a secondary analog waveform output by a transformer assembly receiving a primary waveform. The method includes stepping down the secondary waveform and generating a corresponding output signal; operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding first digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a first range; and operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding second digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a second range. The method further includes processing the first digital signal and outputting a corresponding first output signal; processing the second digital signal and outputting a corresponding second output signal; processing the first and second output signals; and generating output corresponding to the processing of the first and second output signals.

Abstract: An over-current protection device is constituted of a current detection unit for detecting a current from a power-supply source to a load having a magnetism detection element with a magnetic impedance (MI) effect, an AC-current supply device for supplying an AC current to the detection element, a bias-current supply device for supplying a bias current to a bias coil, a peak detection device for detecting a peak of impedance of the magnetism detection element as a variation of voltage, and a switch corresponding to a phase for selecting an output of the peak detection device. In the current detection unit, a holding device for holding a switch output and an amplifier are disposed in common for detecting the current in each phase, thereby expanding a current detectable range and reducing power consumption and cost.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a parallel power system having at least two parallel coupled voltage regulators is disclosed. The protection circuit includes at least two isolation control circuits, each control circuit being coupled to a respective voltage regulator. Each isolation control circuit includes a current sense circuit for sensing current polarity at an output of the respective voltage regulator, and a controller for automatically isolating the respective voltage regulator when an over-voltage condition exists at an output of the parallel power system and a positive current polarity is sensed at the output of the respective voltage regulator. The at least two isolation control circuits isolate only a voltage regulator having positive current outflow during the over-voltage condition. In one embodiment, each isolation control circuit further includes an over-voltage detection circuit for detecting when the over-voltage condition exists at the output of the parallel power system.

Abstract: A cellular telephone 1 measures a current value after being turned on, and performs addition and subtraction of a predetermined margin to and from the measured value, and thereby sets up determination thresholds for an overcurrent and an undercurrent, namely, a minimum current value and a maximum current value, respectively. Here, the predetermined margin includes minimum allowance required (B) as a standard, a variation (E) in voltage of a power source of the cellular telephone 1, and a variation (D) in an operating temperature of the cellular telephone 1.

Abstract: A switching power supply unit includes an overcurrent protection circuit section and a latch-stop release signal output circuit section. The overcurrent protection circuit section performs an overcurrent protection operation for latching and stopping the switching operation of a main switch during an overcurrent state. The latch-stop release signal output circuit section outputs a signal, only in a predetermined latch-stop release period, for releasing the latch stop after a certain waiting time has elapsed from the time of the latch stop. This arrangement can virtually perform a hiccup-mode overcurrent protection operation at the time of overcurrent, and expands the scope of application of a switching power supply unit. Switching power supply circuits are interconnected by simultaneous starting connections. Switching controllers for the main switches are connected to match hiccup mode restart timings.

Abstract: A microcontroller-based system to detect ground-fault and grounded-neutral conditions in a monitored circuit of an electrical distribution system having line and neutral conductors. The system includes a single sensor producing an output signal responsive to current flow in both the line and neutral conductors of the monitored circuit, and a microcontroller receiving the sensor output signal and initiating the generation of a circuit status signal indicating one of a normal operating condition, a ground-fault condition or a grounded-neutral condition in the monitored circuit. The microcontroller is programmed to continuously test for ground-fault conditions by evaluating the sensor output signal and, at selected intervals, test for grounded-neutral conditions by evaluating the sensor's output signal response to a microcontroller initiated ping in the sensor circuit.

Abstract: A current sensor which constitutes an overload protection apparatus and senses a current supplied from a power source to a load is constituted by providing a magnetic sensor having the effect of magnetic impedance (MI), an AC supply means which impresses AC on this sensor, a bias current supply means which supplies a bias current to a bias coil, a peak sensing means which senses the peak or a change in impedance of the magnetic sensor as a change in voltage, and a switch which selects the output of the peak sensing means in accordance with each phase. A holding means which holds switch outputs one after another and an amplification means are provided in common to enable current sensing for each phase. Thus, a range of current sensing is enlarged to reduce power consumption and cost.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit of the present invention has an output field-effect transistor formed on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate; an overcurrent detection circuit detecting an overcurrent of the output field-effect transistor; and an overcurrent limiting circuit which is connected between the gate electrode terminal and the source electrode terminal of the output field-effect transistor, controls the detected current of the overcurrent detection circuit and varies its output voltage according to variation in threshold voltage of the output field-effect transistor.

Abstract: System and method protects power drivers (10) and (12) that are used for airbag deployment. Temperature sensors (38) are strategically located on the integrated circuit (36) to detect temperature levels in power drivers (10) and (12). When the temperature in the power drivers (10) and (12) reaches a maximum level, an output is provided to logic block (26). Current detecting circuit (24) provides an output when the current flowing in power driver (10) reaches a desired level. Timing circuit (28) is activated when it receives the output from current detecting circuit (24). At the expiration of the time, timing circuit (28) provides an output to logic block (26). When logic block (26) receives both outputs, logic block (26) shuts drivers (10) and (12) down. When temperature sensors (38) detects that the temperature in integrated circuit (36) has reached a minimum level, logic block (26) reactivates drivers (10) and (12).

Abstract: An integrated power switch is disclosed. The power switch comprises a power transistor for providing an output current. The power transistor includes a grounded body. The power switch includes a sense transistor coupled to the power transistor. The sense transistor includes a floating body. The power switch further includes a resistor coupled to the floating body of the sense transistor. A value of the resistor is chosen such that the output current is regulated at a predetermined level. Accordingly, a power switch in accordance with the present invention includes a power transistor which is implemented with grounded body and its companion sense transistor is implemented with floating body. Higher operating voltages can be achieved by turning on the parasitic transistor inside the sense transistor with a resistor connected from its body to ground. The impact ionization current of the power and sense transistors are included in the current limit loop control.

Abstract: A programmable controller is provided that is capable of interfacing with a remote master controller, where the programmable controller is capable of controlling an input current to at least one load that is proximate the programmable controller. The programmable controller includes at least one solid-state switch capable of controllably altering the input current to the loads. The programmable controller also includes at least one measuring element for measuring at least one parameter associated with the loads and the solid-state switches, such as the current through the solid-state switches, the current through and voltage drop across the loads and/or the temperature at or around the solid-state switches. Additionally, the programmable controller includes a processing element capable of controlling the solid-state switches, such as by controlling the current through the solid-state switches to the loads.

Abstract: A thyristor provides overcurrent protection to a low impedance load, such as a transformer, by adding a resistance in series with the transformer winding. As overcurrents attempt to pass through the transformer winding, a sufficient voltage is generated in the transformer so that a thyristor connected thereacross is triggered into conduction. A resistance formed between the thyristor gate and cathode establishes the threshold of current that can pass through the transformer winding before the thyristor is triggered. When triggered into conduction, the thyristor shunts the current and the transformer is thus protected.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit for an analog modem which uses passive-device features during normal operation to minimize modem signal noise and distortion, and active-device features when inadvertently connected to a line having excessive line current.

Abstract: A safety device for a battery of electrical storage cells composed of modules connected in series each including a storage cell or a group of storage cells connected in parallel. A circuit individually short circuits a module if it should fail and maintains the electrical continuity between the other modules connected in series with it. An individual circuit includes a first shunt circuit connected to the terminals of a module and includes an energy consuming member in series with a switching member for applying a shunt to the terminals of the module via the consuming member if the voltage at the terminals of the module is greater than a particular upper voltage threshold value. The circuit short circuits the module if the voltage at the terminals of the module falls below a particular lower voltage threshold value.

Abstract: A cathodic protection junction box current equalizer has a plurality of output terminals each being connectable through a variable resistors to an anode, the resistors being controlled such that the corresponding anode outputs a desired current.

Abstract: A limiting circuit for controlling overshoot in a charge current in a battery recharging system includes a current amplifier receiving input indicative of charge current in a rechargeable battery circuit and generating a current error signal, a voltage amplifier receiving input indicative of charge voltage in the rechargeable battery circuit and generating a voltage error signal, and a power amplifier receiving a first signal indicative of power in a switching voltage regulator and a second power signal indicative of power in the rechargeable battery circuit, and generating a power error signal. The limiting circuit compares the voltage error signal, the current error signal, and the power error signal to determine the error signal having the greatest value, and generates an input signal to a pulse width modulation comparator.

Abstract: LED lamp circuitry that emulates an incandescent lamp's behavior upon remote verification of the LED lamp. The invention presents a fuse blow-out circuit and a cold filament detection circuit permitting the use of LED lamps in applications, such as railway signal light applications, where there is a need for remote monitoring of the lamps, while keeping the advantageous features of lower power consumption and longer life. The invention also provides a control circuit for enabling/disabling the power supply to LED lamps in relation to the level of the line voltage. The advantage of this embodiment is to avoid unwanted functioning of the LED lamp caused by interference from surrounding electrical cables.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit for supplying and protecting another consuming circuit against undesirably high electrical values. The supply circuit is formed with at least 2 independent monitoring circuits performing independent measurement of an error state on the basis of a common threshold value generated from a value determined in the circuit. Recording of an error state in a monitoring circuit results in activation of at least one independent current path between the supply potential of the supply circuit and an associated reference value. This ensures that the electrical circuit increases the current through a separator circuit, which, after activation, isolates the consuming circuit from the remaining circuit. Also, the same reference value may be used for several monitoring circuits whereby tolerance deviations for components may be compensated so that a supply voltage and a safety voltage have values with a small difference.

Abstract: LED lamp circuitry that emulates an incandescent lamp's behavior upon remote verification of the LED lamp. The invention presents a fuse blow-out circuit and a cold filament detection circuit permitting the use of LED lamps in applications, such as railway signal light applications, where there is a need for remote monitoring of the lamps, while keeping the advantageous features of lower power consumption and longer life. The invention also provides a control circuit for enabling/disabling the power supply to LED lamps in relation to the level of the line voltage. The advantage of this embodiment is to avoid unwanted functioning of the LED lamp caused by interference from surrounding electrical cables.