Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a control system. A control system includes a controller configured to generate a drive signal as a function of a comparison between a first control signal and a second control signal, wherein the first control signal differs from the second control signal. A switching device is configured to generate an output control signal having a duty cycle that is a function of the drive signal. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus for polarity-inversion-protected supplying of an electronic component with an intermediate voltage from a supply voltage has a first transistor connected between a terminal for the supply voltage and the electric component, so that a path between a source terminal and a sink terminal is flown through by a supply current of the electric component, a potential-to-current conversion device formed so that it generates a rising response current at a rising voltage drop across the path between source terminal and sink terminal of the first transistor, and a coupler formed to provide a follow current proportional to the response current at an output of the coupler depending on the response current, wherein the output of the coupler is coupled to a control terminal of the first transistor, wherein the potential-to-current conversion means has a second transistor providing the response current, and wherein the potential-to-current conversion device further has a potential shifter.