Abstract: A circuit configuration for driving a semiconductor switching element includes an output terminal for the connection of a semiconductor switching element, a capacitive charge storage configuration, which is coupled to the output terminal, a charging and discharging circuit having at least one input for feeding in at least one drive signal and an output connected to the capacitive charge storage configuration, and a discharging circuit with a connecting terminal. The connecting terminal is connected to the capacitive charge storage configuration and provides a discharging current for the charge storage configuration. A charging current or a discharging current for the capacitive charge storage configuration is available at the output depending on the drive signal. A method for driving the semiconductor switching element is also provided.

Abstract: A method for generating a control signal after a predeterminable period of time is described. The method includes applying a voltage to an inductor at a beginning of a time measurement; and outputting, via a current threshold value detector, the control signal if a current through the inductor exceeds a predeterminable threshold value. The invention also relates to a timing circuit.