Abstract: A device controls a safety-relevant electronic system and has a power supply. The power supply is supplied with a battery voltage at a first input terminal and supplies a first supply voltage at a first output terminal which is lower than the battery voltage. A microcontroller for generating a first control signal, provided at a first control output of the microcontroller for processing by way of a control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a second input terminal. A monitoring unit for generating a second control signal, provided at a second control output of the monitoring unit for processing by the control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a third supply potential input terminal. The third supply potential input terminal, the second control output and the second data port of the monitoring unit are configured to be voltage-proof with respect to the battery voltage.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip with functions implemented thereon in circuitry has a first region, in which a first group of safety-relevant base functions are implemented in circuitry, and a second region, which is separated from the first region using technological safety measures and in which a first group of monitoring functions that monitor the base functions are implemented in circuitry. It also contains a third region, which is formed on the semiconductor chip and is separated from the other regions using technological safety measures and in which a second group of monitoring functions that monitor the base functions are implemented in circuitry.

Abstract: A device controls a safety-relevant electronic system and has a power supply. The power supply is supplied with a battery voltage at a first input terminal and supplies a first supply voltage at a first output terminal which is lower than the battery voltage. A microcontroller for generating a first control signal, provided at a first control output of the microcontroller for processing by way of a control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a second input terminal. A monitoring unit for generating a second control signal, provided at a second control output of the monitoring unit for processing by the control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a third supply potential input terminal. The third supply potential input terminal, the second control output and the second data port of the monitoring unit are configured to be voltage-proof with respect to the battery voltage.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for operating an electronic system. The device includes a power supply unit that, during operation, provides a supply voltage on a supply potential output. The power supply unit has an enable input via which the supply voltage can be enabled and disabled by an enable signal. In a power-latch phase of the electronic system in which the enable signal is not present, the power supply unit provides the supply voltage upon receiving a trigger signal even when the enable signal is not present. The device includes a microcontroller supplied with the supply voltage on a second supply potential input connection when the enable signal is present or when the microcontroller, in the power-latch phase, generates the trigger signal and transmits it to the trigger signal input. Upon receiving a control command, the power supply unit suppresses deactivation of the supply voltage for supplying the microcontroller.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for providing a plurality of supply voltages at output terminals respectively assigned to said supply voltages from an input voltage applied to an input terminal. A digital interface receives of a serial digital control signal that contains the information as to which of the supply voltages is/are to be applied to the output terminals respectively assigned to them. A hard-wired delay circuit is configured, under control by the serial digital control signal, to relay the supply voltages to be applied to the respectively assigned output terminals to the output terminals one after another with a respectively predetermined delay.

Abstract: A method assigns addresses from a master unit to a number of slave units. The slave units are connected to the master unit for the transmission of information. An address output of the master unit is connected to an address input of a first slave unit and the address output of an n-th slave unit is connected to the address input of an n+1-th slave unit. The slave units, when a first level is applied to their address input, set the level at their address output to the first level and change to the first, “non-addressed” state, in the event of a transition of the level at their address input from the first level to a second level, change to the “addressable” state, upon receiving an address from the master unit, check the received address for validity in the “addressable” state and, acknowledge the reception to the master unit.

Abstract: A method assigns addresses from a master unit to a number of slave units. The slave units are connected to the master unit for the transmission of information. An address output of the master unit is connected to an address input of a first slave unit and the address output of an n-th slave unit is connected to the address input of an n+1-th slave unit. The slave units, when a first level is applied to their address input, set the level at their address output to the first level and change to the first, “non-addressed” state, in the event of a transition of the level at their address input from the first level to a second level, change to the “addressable” state, upon receiving an address from the master unit, check the received address for validity in the “addressable” state and, acknowledge the reception to the master unit.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a microcontroller having a first analog-to-digital converter whose input is connected to the output of a first multiplexer whose output is connected to a first comparison device for comparing reference voltages, and a first serial interface circuit connected to the first comparison device. A voltage generating circuit includes a second analog-to-digital converter whose input is connected to the output of a second multiplexer whose output is connected to a number of registers, which are connected to a safety value generator and store digital values together with a respective safety value, and a second serial interface circuit connected to the registers. The first and second serial interface circuits are connected to each other for communication of the microcontroller with the voltage generating circuit, the first interface circuit being connected to a second comparison device for comparing supply voltages and/or currents with desired voltages and/or desired currents.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for providing a plurality of supply voltages at output terminals respectively assigned to said supply voltages from an input voltage applied to an input terminal. A digital interface receives of a serial digital control signal that contains the information as to which of the supply voltages is/are to be applied to the output terminals respectively assigned to them. A hard-wired delay circuit is configured, under control by the serial digital control signal, to relay the supply voltages to be applied to the respectively assigned output terminals to the output terminals one after another with a respectively predetermined delay.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a microcontroller having a first analog-to-digital converter whose input is connected to the output of a first multiplexer whose output is connected to a first comparison device for comparing reference voltages, and a first serial interface circuit connected to the first comparison device. A voltage generating circuit includes a second analog-to-digital converter whose input is connected to the output of a second multiplexer whose output is connected to a number of registers, which are connected to a safety value generator and store digital values together with a respective safety value, and a second serial interface circuit connected to the registers. The first and second serial interface circuits are connected to each other for communication of the microcontroller with the voltage generating circuit, the first interface circuit being connected to a second comparison device for comparing supply voltages and/or currents with desired voltages and/or desired currents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a power converter assembly detects an over-current, latches off a low-side switch if an over-current is detected, holds the low-side switch latched off until a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch (for the duration of the over-current), and unlatches the low-side switch if a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch. A power converter assembly includes a PWM controller coupled to the main switch, the PWM controller configured to control the main switch according to a duty cycle. A latch is coupled with a secondary switch and configured to selectively turn off the secondary switch. The PWM controller is configured to provide a PWM control signal to the latch, and the control signal is configured to reset the latch to allow the secondary switch to turn on only when the PWM begins operating with a minimum pulse width.

Abstract: The maximum time that external components of a switch mode power supply over-conduct is determined by an actual ambient temperature at which the devices are operating before they are turned on. Their operation time is thus extended when temperatures are low and decreased when temperatures are high.

Abstract: The maximum time that external components of a switch mode power supply over-conduct is determined by an actual ambient temperature at which the devices are operating before they are turned on. Their operation time is thus extended when temperatures are low and decreased when temperatures are high.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal generates a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, and generates a sawtooth ramp at a second frequency under alternative operating conditions. The sawtooth ramp is combined with an error threshold by a PWM controller to generate a square wave PWM control signal. The error threshold is adjusted simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing either a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a power converter assembly detects an over-current, latches off a low-side switch if an over-current is detected, holds the low-side switch latched off until a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch (for the duration of the over-current), and unlatches the low-side switch if a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch. A power converter assembly includes a PWM controller coupled to the main switch, the PWM controller configured to control the main switch according to a duty cycle. A latch is coupled with a secondary switch and configured to selectively turn off the secondary switch. The PWM controller is configured to provide a PWM control signal to the latch, and the control signal is configured to reset the latch to allow the secondary switch to turn on only when the PWM begins operating with a minimum pulse width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal generates a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, and generates a sawtooth ramp at a second frequency under alternative operating conditions. The sawtooth ramp is combined with an error threshold by a PWM controller to generate a square wave PWM control signal. The error threshold is adjusted simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing either a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: The operating voltage is monitored in a microcontroller having associated output stages which are used to control components. In the case of over-voltage, the output stage is disconnected. Two technology-related, voltage monitoring devices working in different operating voltage ranges are provided. Due to the combination thereof, a highly precise disconnection threshold and a greater area for the operating voltage, which is to be monitored, can be obtained. If a malfunction of an over-voltage occurs, the output stages can be disconnected in a reliable manner.

Abstract: The operating voltage is monitored in a microcontroller having associated output stages which are used to control components. In the case of over-voltage, the output stage is disconnected. Two technology-related, voltage monitoring devices working in different operating voltage ranges are provided. Due to the combination thereof, a highly precise disconnection threshold and a greater area for the operating voltage, which is to be monitored, can be obtained. If a malfunction of an over-voltage occurs, the output stages can be disconnected in a reliable manner.

Abstract: A voltage monitoring device for monitoring two different supply voltages to be received by an electronic component. The monitoring device has a ratiometrically operating analog/digital converter, whose reference input is supplied with the larger supply voltage and whose measurement input is supplied with the smaller supply voltage. An output signal of the analog/digital converter is supplied to a window comparator in which the output signal is compared with predetermined limit values. A reset signal for the electronic component is produced if the output signal is greater than the upper limit value or less than the lower limit value.

Abstract: A symmetrical voltage divider whose tap is supplied with a reference voltage via a resistor is connected between the terminals of an inductive sensor. A diagnostic voltage is applied to the tap. Using evaluation devices, the diagnostic voltage is compared with two threshold values in a stationary state, and then sampled in the operational state, and a difference is calculated from the largest and smallest sampled, values and is compared with a third threshold value. Short circuits or line interruptions are detected from the comparison result and are displayed.