Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical power switching circuit. The electrical power switch circuit includes a first semiconductor switch having a first control input and a second semiconductor switch having a second control input. The first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch are connected in series. The electrical power switch circuit includes a comparator configured to compare a first voltage to a second voltage and to output a first electrical signal if the first voltage exceeds the second voltage by a first predetermined threshold and to output a second electrical signal if the second voltage exceeds the first voltage by a second predetermined threshold. The electrical power switch circuit includes a combiner configured to combine the first signal and the second signal and to feed a combined signal to the first and second control inputs of the first and second semiconductor switches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for use in ring-like power distribution architectures as well as to ring-like power distribution architectures comprising such ECUs. It also relates to vehicles comprising such ring-like power distribution architectures. In an aspect, an ECU comprises a first ECU terminal for receiving power from a first power source (PS) terminal of a first power source, means for determining whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal, and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a first ECU fuse associated with the first ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal.

Abstract: Communications system including a master circuit having a master serial peripheral interface, SPI, device with an input MISO terminal. A plurality of slave circuits is provided for communication with the master circuit. Each slave includes a slave SPI device, an activation terminal, and an output switch for connecting an output MISO terminal to the input MISO terminal. The master circuit also includes a polling signal terminal for transmitting a polling signal to at least a first group of slave SPI devices for activating them. The master circuit 3 also has a plurality of output CS terminals, each being independently activatable to activate both the respective slave SPI device and the associated output switch.

Abstract: A current measurement circuit includes an operational amplifier, an input connector, a gain control sub-circuit, and a measurement output. The operational amplifier includes two inputs and an output. The input connector is for connecting the two inputs across a current-sense resistor. The gain control sub-circuit is connected to the output and includes a switch operable to select a current path from a plurality of current paths. The measurement output is connected to the gain control sub-circuit for outputting a signal indicating a measured current based on a selected current path. The gain control sub-circuit is configured to select a gain across the operational amplifier based on a ratio between the input connector and the selected current path.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical power switching circuit. The electrical power switch circuit includes a first semiconductor switch having a first control input and a second semiconductor switch having a second control input. The first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch are connected in series. The electrical power switch circuit includes a comparator configured to compare a first voltage to a second voltage and to output a first electrical signal if the first voltage exceeds the second voltage by a first predetermined threshold and to output a second electrical signal if the second voltage exceeds the first voltage by a second predetermined threshold. The electrical power switch circuit includes a combiner configured to combine the first signal and the second signal and to feed a combined signal to the first and second control inputs of the first and second semiconductor switches.

Abstract: A device for self-adjusting an electrical threshold includes a framing unit that compares a setpoint signal representative of the supply signal to a plurality of successive intervals of reference signals that increase in value according to a geometric sequence. The framing unit generates an output based on the interval bounding the setpoint signal, wherein the output controls a switch that is configured to provide one of the plurality of reference signals as an output, wherein the output reference signal is representative of the electrical detection threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for use in ring-like power distribution architectures as well as to ring-like power distribution architectures comprising such ECUs. It also relates to vehicles comprising such ring-like power distribution architectures. In an aspect, an ECU comprises a first ECU terminal for receiving power from a first power source (PS) terminal of a first power source, means for determining whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal, and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a first ECU fuse associated with the first ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal.

Abstract: A switching circuit has a primary MOSFET switch connected between first and second terminals that are connected to a power line and a load represented as a resistance and inductance. The primary switch is operable by primary control commands to assume a conductive or non-conductive state. Four protection branches are connected in parallel with the primary switch, each having a series connected resistive element and a secondary MOSFET switch operable by branch control commands received at branch command terminals to assume a conductive or non-conductive state. A timing circuit applies branch turn off control commands in sequence to the branch command terminals, each delayed by a different predetermined time interval relative to when a primary turn off control command is applied to the primary switch.

Abstract: An electronic device for series connection on a power supply line includes a plurality of switches and a control unit configured to perform the following steps: operating error detection means during operation of the device in a first mode; operating the device in a second mode in response to an erroneous power state being detected by the error detection means during operation of the device in the first mode; operating the error detection means during operation of the device in the second mode in order to determine an error location associated with the erroneous power state detected by the error detection means during operation of the device in the first mode.

Abstract: An electronic device for series connection on a power supply line includes a plurality of switches and a control unit configured to perform the following steps: operating error detection means during operation of the device in a first mode; operating the device in a second mode in response to an erroneous power state being detected by the error detection means during operation of the device in the first mode; operating the error detection means during operation of the device in the second mode in order to determine an error location associated with the erroneous power state detected by the error detection means during operation of the device in the first mode.

Abstract: This publication describes apparatuses and methods for driving a switching device and providing for the fast start-up of the switching device. In an aspect, the apparatus includes a driver circuit and a starter circuit. The driver circuit for applying control signals to a control terminal of the switching device when activated. The switching device is activatable to drive a load in an operating mode when a control signal above a threshold voltage is applied to the control terminal. The starter circuit is coupled to the control terminal and includes an energy store and a switch operable to discharge the energy store to deliver a start-up voltage above the threshold to the control terminal. As such, the switching device can be activated during a delay period before the driver circuit can generate a control signal above the threshold voltage after being activated.

Abstract: A device for self-adjusting an electrical threshold includes a framing unit that compares a setpoint signal representative of the supply signal to a plurality of successive intervals of reference signals that increase in value according to a geometric sequence. The framing unit generates an output based on the interval bounding the setpoint signal, wherein the output controls a switch that is configured to provide one of the plurality of reference signals as an output, wherein the output reference signal is representative of the electrical detection threshold.

Abstract: Testing device for testing an overcurrent protector, and method of operating the same. First and second switches are provided for connecting the first and second terminals of the overcurrent protector to first and second capacitors, respectively. The first and second capacitors are pre-charged to first and second voltages, where the second voltage is lower than the first. A controller switches the first and second switches to their test positions, which establishes a current path from the first capacitor to the second capacitor through the overcurrent protector. The first and second voltages are selected so that the peak current that would be generated in the current path is greater than the overcurrent threshold of the overcurrent protector.

Abstract: Communications system including a master circuit having a master serial peripheral interface, SPI, device with an input MISO terminal. A plurality of slave circuits is provided for communication with the master circuit. Each slave includes a slave SPI device, an activation terminal, and an output switch for connecting an output MISO terminal to the input MISO terminal. The master circuit also includes a polling signal terminal for transmitting a polling signal to at least a first group of slave SPI devices for activating them. The master circuit 3 also has a plurality of output CS terminals, each being independently activatable to activate both the respective slave SPI device and the associated output switch.

Abstract: An electronic device for series connection on a power supply line, wherein the device comprises a plurality of switches comprising at least a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. The device further comprises a control unit configured to perform the following steps: operating error detection means during operation of the device in a first mode; operating the device in a second mode in response to an erroneous power state being detected by the error detection means during operation of the device in the first mode; operating the error detection means during operation of the device in the second mode in order to determine an error location associated with the erroneous power state detected by the error detection means during operation of the device in the first mode.

Abstract: A device for self-adjusting an electrical threshold includes a framing unit that compares a setpoint signal representative of the supply signal to a plurality of successive intervals of reference signals that increase in value according to a geometric sequence. The framing unit generates an output based on the interval bounding the setpoint signal, wherein the output controls a switch that is configured to provide one of the plurality of reference signals as an output, wherein the output reference signal is representative of the electrical detection threshold.

Abstract: A balancing system for balancing respective voltages of N consecutively connected capacitors during charging or discharging includes balancing units, each having a pair of associated switches and an electromagnetic coil. An inter-switch junction is connected to an inter-capacitor junction of a corresponding group of capacitors through the electromagnetic coil. A control and generation circuit generates PWM control signals and transmits a generated PWM control signal to each of the switches. The PWM control signals have fixed duty cycles that do not vary temporarily during charging or discharging of the N capacitors. The duty cycles of two PWM control signals transmitted to two associated switches are complementary for each balancing unit.

Abstract: Testing device for testing an overcurrent protector, and method of operating the same. First and second switches are provided for connecting the first and second terminals of the overcurrent protector to first and second capacitors, respectively. The first and second capacitors are pre-charged to first and second voltages, where the second voltage is lower than the first. A controller switches the first and second switches to their test positions, which establishes a current path from the first capacitor to the second capacitor through the overcurrent protector. The first and second voltages are selected so that the peak current that would be generated in the current path is greater than the overcurrent threshold of the overcurrent protector.

Abstract: A solid state power switch device comprises a switch unit comprising at least one switch element configured to provide power supply to a load of a vehicle while the switch element is in close state; a switch control unit in communication with the switch unit, and configured to control in open/close state the switch element; the switch control unit comprising a built in self-test module of the switch element configured to control a self-test sequence of the switch element and to check failure/success of the self-test sequence of the switch element such that the switch unit is self-tested.

Abstract: A switching circuit has a primary MOSFET switch connected between first and second terminals that are connected to a power line and a load represented as a resistance and inductance. The primary switch is operable by primary control commands to assume a conductive or non-conductive state. Four protection branches are connected in parallel with the primary switch, each having a series connected resistive element and a secondary MOSFET switch operable by branch control commands received at branch command terminals to assume a conductive or non-conductive state. A timing circuit applies branch turn off control commands in sequence to the branch command terminals, each delayed by a different predetermined time interval relative to when a primary turn off control command is applied to the primary switch.