Abstract: A power switch circuit for driving an airbag squib module has a power transistor, a pre-charge capacitance for storing a charge, a charging circuit and a controllable energy-coupling element. The power transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A path between the first electrode and the second electrode is connected in series with the airbag squib module between a supply potential and a reference potential. The charging circuit charges the pre-charge capacitance and the charging circuit is therefore coupled with the pre-charged capacitance. The controllable energy coupling element is connected between a first electrode of the pre-charge capacitance and the control electrode of the power transistor. The power switch exhibits a high degree of stability, allows a fast switching of the power transistor and further has an advantageous transient response.

Abstract: A power switch circuit for driving an airbag squib module has a power transistor, a pre-charge capacitance for storing a charge, a charging circuit and a controllable energy-coupling element. The power transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A path between the first electrode and the second electrode is connected in series with the airbag squib module between a supply potential and a reference potential. The charging circuit charges the pre-charge capacitance and the charging circuit is therefore coupled with the pre-charged capacitance. The controllable energy coupling element is connected between a first electrode of the pre-charge capacitance and the control electrode of the power transistor. The power switch exhibits a high degree of stability, allows a fast switching of the power transistor and further has an advantageous transient response.

Abstract: An integrated charge pump voltage converter has an oscillator (1) for generating a switching frequency having at least one capacitance whose value governs the switching frequency generated. It also comprises a charge transfer capacitance (TC). A switching stage (S1, S1?, S2, S2?) controls the charging and discharging operations of the charge transfer capacitance (TC) on the basis of the switching frequency. In this arrangement, the charge transfer capacitance (TC) and the capacitance in the oscillator (1) are of the same type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of charging a rechargeable device (108) and a charging apparatus wherein the rechargeable device (108) is connected to a battery connection port (107) and ground (106), an external DC source having an input voltage (114) is connected to an input resistor (101) of a charging apparatus, a current reference value (109) and a voltage reference value (110) are fed to a control unit (104), a duty cycle (d) is determined in accordance with the current reference value (109) and the voltage reference value (110) fed to the control unit (104), and, using the duty cycle (d), an output voltage (402, 403) applied to the rechargeable device (108) is switched between a minimum output voltage (404) and a maximum output voltage (405) dependent on the current reference value (109) an the voltage reference value (110) by means of a charging switch (103).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of charging a rechargeable device (108) and a charging apparatus wherein the rechargeable device (108) is connected to a battery connection port (107) and ground (106), an external DC source having an input voltage (114) is connected to an input resistor (101) of a charging apparatus, a current reference value (109) and a voltage reference value (110) are fed to a control unit (104), a duty cycle (d) is determined in accordance with the current reference value (109) and the voltage reference value (110) fed to the control unit (104), and, using the duty cycle (d), an output voltage (402, 403) applied to the rechargeable device (108) is switched between a minimum output voltage (404) and a maximum output voltage (405) dependent on the current reference value (109) an the voltage reference value (110) by means of a charging switch (103).