Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes driving a predetermined load using a driver circuit according to a drive pattern; supplying power to the driver circuit using a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) configured to be coupled to at least one external component; and verifying functionality of the SMPS while driving the predetermined load. Verifying the functionality includes monitoring at least one operating parameter of the SMPS, where the at least one operating parameter of the SMPS is dependent on the drive pattern and the at least one external component, comparing the at least one operating parameter to at least one expected operating parameter to form a first comparison result, and indicating an error condition based on the first comparison result.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes using a monitoring circuit disposed on a monolithic integrated circuit to monitor an output signal of a first switching transistor for a first output edge transition at a monitoring terminal of the monolithic integrated circuit; using a time measuring circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to measure a first time delay between a first input edge transition of a first drive signal and the first output edge transition, where the first drive signal is configured to cause a change of state of the first switching transistor; using an analysis circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to compare the measured first time delay with a first predetermined threshold to form a first comparison result; and indicating a first error condition based on the first comparison result.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided to perform bidirectional communication using edge timing in a common signal. In one example, a method includes receiving a common signal on a signal line between a device and another device. The common signal includes a series of signal periods, and each signal period includes a first edge of a first type and a second edge of a second type different from the first type. In each signal period of the series of signal periods: information being communicated by the other device is determined based at least on the determined timing of the first edge and a timing for a subsequent second edge with respect to the signal period is determined based on information to be communicated to the other device. The subsequent second edge is generated at the selected timing in a subsequent signal period of the series of signal periods.

Abstract: Methods and circuits are provided for controlling an electronic switch such that it may be controlled by an external control signal, such as a PWM signal, or be set to operate in an active-diode mode, wherein current is allowed to flow through the switch in only one direction. The described circuits are configured to autonomously control the electronic switch, such that no external control signal is required when the active-diode mode is used. The provided techniques allow electronic switches to be efficiently used as part of a power stage or part of an active rectifier, so as to support bi-directional switched-mode power supplies, motor/generator drivers, and related electric circuits that require bi-directional power flow. By reusing electronic switches thusly and implementing an active-diode mode, the circuitry is minimized while maintaining good power efficiency.

Abstract: A driver circuit associated with a power electronic system is disclosed. The driver circuit comprises a gate driver circuit configured to drive a switching circuit comprising a plurality of switches in parallel, each switch comprising a respective source bondwire. The driver circuit further comprises a bondwire fault detection circuit comprising a gate charge estimation circuit configured to measure a parameter of the switching circuit comprising a gate charge of the switching circuit or a parameter indicative of the gate charge associated with the switching circuit. The bondwire fault detection circuit further comprises a detection circuit configured to detect a fault associated with at least one source bondwire of the switching circuit, based on the measured parameter of the switching circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes using a monitoring circuit disposed on a monolithic integrated circuit to monitor an output signal of a first switching transistor for a first output edge transition at a monitoring terminal of the monolithic integrated circuit; using a time measuring circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to measure a first time delay between a first input edge transition of a first drive signal and the first output edge transition, where the first drive signal is configured to cause a change of state of the first switching transistor; using an analysis circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to compare the measured first time delay with a first predetermined threshold to form a first comparison result; and indicating a first error condition based on the first comparison result.

Abstract: Supply voltage switching circuitry that is configured to dynamically switch between a battery supply voltage and a boost supply voltage, that is generated from the battery supply voltage, to power half-bridge driver circuitry based on an on-going evaluation of one or more system parameters. The supply voltage switching circuitry is configured to deliver the boost supply voltage to high-side driver circuitry. The supply voltage switching circuitry is configured to select between delivering the boost supply voltage to low-side driver circuitry and delivering the battery supply voltage to low-side driver circuitry.

Abstract: A driver circuit associated with a power electronic system is disclosed. The driver circuit comprises a gate driver circuit configured to drive a switching circuit comprising a plurality of switches in parallel, each switch comprising a respective source bondwire. The driver circuit further comprises a bondwire fault detection circuit comprising a gate charge estimation circuit configured to measure a parameter of the switching circuit comprising a gate charge of the switching circuit or a parameter indicative of the gate charge associated with the switching circuit. The bondwire fault detection circuit further comprises a detection circuit configured to detect a fault associated with at least one source bondwire of the switching circuit, based on the measured parameter of the switching circuit.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided to perform bidirectional communication using edge timing in a common signal. In one example, a method includes receiving a common signal on a signal line between a device and another device. The common signal includes a series of signal periods, and each signal period includes a first edge of a first type and a second edge of a second type different from the first type. In each signal period of the series of signal periods: information being communicated by the other device is determined based at least on the determined timing of the first edge and a timing for a subsequent second edge with respect to the signal period is determined based on information to be communicated to the other device. The subsequent second edge is generated at the selected timing in a subsequent signal period of the series of signal periods.

Abstract: A drive circuit includes an internal oscillator and a pre-drive controller coupled to the internal oscillator. The pre-drive controller can have a switch control output configured to be coupled to a switch input. The pre-drive controller can receive switch control data, receive a clock signal, receive a synchronization signal, synchronize the internal oscillator based on the clock signal and the synchronization signal, and generate a pulse modulated switching signal at the switch control output based on the switch control data and the internal oscillator.

Abstract: Supply voltage switching circuitry that is configured to dynamically switch between a battery supply voltage and a boost supply voltage, that is generated from the battery supply voltage, to power half-bridge driver circuitry based on an on-going evaluation of one or more system parameters.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a bridge circuit having at least two field effect transistors and a measurement circuit configured to measure a forward voltage of a body diode of any one of the at least two field effect transistors resulting from a current flowing through the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A drive circuit includes an internal oscillator and a pre-drive controller coupled to the internal oscillator. The pre-drive controller can have a switch control output configured to be coupled to a switch input. The pre-drive controller can receive switch control data, receive a clock signal, receive a synchronization signal, synchronize the internal oscillator based on the clock signal and the synchronization signal, and generate a pulse modulated switching signal at the switch control output based on the switch control data and the internal oscillator.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of operating a sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes converting an analog input signal into a sequence of digital data using a sigma-delta modulator of the sigma-delta ADC, setting a first configuration for a decimation filter of the sigma-delta ADC according to a first condition of a measurement window, filtering the sequence of digital data using a low-pass filter (LPF) of the decimation filter, and in response to a change in the measurement window, setting a second configuration for the decimation filter according to a second condition of the measurement window.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for actuating the switching transistors of a rectifier which is provided for converting the phase voltages that are provided by a vehicle generator into a direct current voltage. Each switching transistor comprises a parasitic diode. An activation signal for initiating the conducting phase and a de-activation signal for ending the conducting phase are supplied to each control terminal of the switching transistors. A timer is started simultaneously with the provision of an activation signal and the de-activation signal is provided once a predetermined time period has passed.

Abstract: In various embodiments a circuit arrangement is provided, having a bridge circuit including at least two switches connected in series; a bridge node which may provide a phase voltage arranged between the at least two switches; an electric motor having at least one phase winding coupled with the bridge node; a decoupling switch; a controller, wherein in an error case the controller may be configured to switch off the at least two switches, to determine whether a predefined condition is satisfied, and to one of delayed switching off the decoupling switch; and switching off the at least two switches and the decoupling switch simultaneously, depending upon whether the predefined condition is satisfied; wherein the controller may determine that the predefined condition is satisfied when the decoupling switch may be switched off without damage from the current applied to it when the at least two switches are switched off.

Abstract: In various embodiments a circuit arrangement is provided, having a bridge circuit including at least two switches connected in series; a bridge node which may provide a phase voltage arranged between the at least two switches; an electric motor having at least one phase winding coupled with the bridge node; a decoupling switch; a controller, wherein in an error case the controller may be configured to switch off the at least two switches, to determine whether a predefined condition is satisfied, and to one of delayed switching off the decoupling switch; and switching off the at least two switches and the decoupling switch simultaneously, depending upon whether the predefined condition is satisfied; wherein the controller may determine that the predefined condition is satisfied when the decoupling switch may be switched off without damage from the current applied to it when the at least two switches are switched off.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a bridge circuit having at least two field effect transistors and a measurement circuit configured to measure a forward voltage of a body diode of any one of the at least two field effect transistors resulting from a current flowing through the field effect transistor.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a bridge circuit having at least two field effect transistors and a measurement circuit configured to measure a forward voltage of a body diode of any one of the at least two field effect transistors resulting from a predefined current flowing through the field effect transistor.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a multi-level converter includes detecting a charge state of charge storage units of series connected converter units, assigning parameter sets to the converter units based on the detected charge states, and generating control signals coupled to switch arrangements of the converter units based on the parameter sets.