Abstract: A control system (100, 200) and method (300) are provided where a first voltage domain circuit (111) and a power switch (121) operate in a first voltage domain and where a second voltage domain circuit (109) operates in a second voltage domain, where the second voltage domain circuit includes a gate driver circuit (202) for providing a control terminal driving signal (PWM1) to drive the power switch, and also includes a watchdog communication circuit (207) for scheduling watchdog communications between the first and second voltage domain circuits to be temporally separated from noise-inducing signal transitions in the control terminal driving signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system includes a first voltage domain circuit. The first voltage domain circuit includes circuitry for operating in a first voltage domain. The control system includes a second voltage domain circuit. The second voltage domain circuit includes circuitry for operating in a second voltage domain. The second voltage domain circuit includes a driver circuit. The driver circuit for providing a control terminal driving signal to make conductive a power switch. The second voltage domain circuit includes a replication circuit, the replication circuit having an output to provide a replicated signal of the control terminal driving signal. The control system includes a galvanic isolation barrier signal path between the first voltage domain circuit and the second voltage domain circuit. The replicated signal is provided by the second voltage domain circuit to the first voltage domain circuit via the galvanic isolation barrier signal path.

Abstract: System and method protects power drivers (10) and (12) that are used for airbag deployment. Temperature sensors (38) are strategically located on the integrated circuit (36) to detect temperature levels in power drivers (10) and (12). When the temperature in the power drivers (10) and (12) reaches a maximum level, an output is provided to logic block (26). Current detecting circuit (24) provides an output when the current flowing in power driver (10) reaches a desired level. Timing circuit (28) is activated when it receives the output from current detecting circuit (24). At the expiration of the time, timing circuit (28) provides an output to logic block (26). When logic block (26) receives both outputs, logic block (26) shuts drivers (10) and (12) down. When temperature sensors (38) detects that the temperature in integrated circuit (36) has reached a minimum level, logic block (26) reactivates drivers (10) and (12).

Abstract: System and method protects power drivers (10) and (12) that are used for airbag deployment. Temperature sensors (38) are strategically located on the integrated circuit (36) to detect temperature levels in power drivers (10) and (12). When the temperature in the power drivers (10) and (12) reaches a maximum level, an output is provided to logic block (26). Current detecting circuit (24) provides an output when the current flowing in power driver (10) reaches a desired level. Timing circuit (28) is activated when it receives the output from current detecting circuit (24). At the expiration of the time, timing circuit (28) provides an output to logic block (26). When logic block (26) receives both outputs, logic block (26) shuts drivers (10) and (12) down. When temperature sensors (38) detects that the temperature in integrated circuit (36) has reached a minimum level, logic block (26) reactivates drivers (10) and (12).