Abstract: An electronic system for driving a lamp of a blinker of a vehicle may include a switch having a first input terminal configured to receive a battery voltage, a second input control terminal configured to receive a control signal for operating the switch, and an output terminal. The system may also include a change-over switch configured to connect, alternatively, the output terminal of the switch to the lamp and to a high impedance reference. The system may also include an electronic device connected to the switch and configured to detect a voltage drop between the first input terminal and the output terminal, and, based upon the voltage drop, generate the control signal to have a value to maintain the switch open for a time interval, and generate the control signal to have a second value to maintain the switch closed for another time interval.

Abstract: A driver for an electric load includes a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal for an output current, and a control module. The control module is configured to drive the power device in an auto-recovery mode by switching between activation and deactivation in the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, wherein the output current reaches a threshold current. The control module is also configured to evaluate a first time interval between a time wherein the overcurrent condition occurs, and a first time, and generate a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold. The power device is driven in a switching-off condition at least as a function of the limit signal.

Abstract: An electronic system for driving a lamp of a blinker of a vehicle may include a switch having a first input terminal configured to receive a battery voltage, a second input control terminal configured to receive a control signal for operating the switch, and an output terminal. The system may also include a change-over switch configured to connect, alternatively, the output terminal of the switch to the lamp and to a high impedance reference. The system may also include an electronic device connected to the switch and configured to detect a voltage drop between the first input terminal and the output terminal, and, based upon the voltage drop, generate the control signal to have a value to maintain the switch open for a time interval, and generate the control signal to have a second value to maintain the switch closed for another time interval.

Abstract: An electronic system to discharge a transformer in case of a failure during a charging phase of the transformer. The system includes the transformer having a primary winding with a first terminal connected to a battery voltage and with a second terminal for generating a primary voltage signal, includes a switch serially connected to the primary winding and having a control terminal carrying a control voltage signal for opening or closing the switch and includes an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit further includes a current generator and a voltage clamping.

Abstract: A switching system for a combustion engine ignition system comprises a switching device switchable between an accumulation condition and a transfer condition to activate an ignition element. The switching system comprises control logic that provides a control signal for controlling the switching device, measures a progress indicator indicative of progress in switching the switching device from the transfer condition to the accumulation condition, and causes the control signal to vary with a first variation rate during a first stage until the progress indicator reaches a first progress condition. The control logic causes the control signal to vary with a second variation rate, lower than the first variation rate, during a second stage until the progress indicator reaches a second progress condition, and causes the control signal to vary with a third variation rate, higher than the second variation rate, during a third stage of the preliminary switching.

Abstract: A control circuit for an inductive load driver includes a control block activated by a trigger signal and an output coupled to the control terminal of a power element. The control circuit includes an auxiliary current generator capable of delivering a current that is added to the current provided by control block and the sum of these currents is provided to the control terminal of the power element. The auxiliary current generator enables the inductive load driver to operate normally even though the trigger voltage is less than an optimal voltage value.

Abstract: A driver circuit drives a power element connected to an inductive load. The driver circuit includes an output terminal, and a first current generator is connected between a voltage reference and the output terminal for providing a first charge current to a control terminal of the power element, which is connected to the output terminal. The driver circuit also includes a second current generator connected in parallel with the first current generator. The second current generator is connected between the voltage reference and the output terminal, and provides the control terminal with a second charge current dependent on a voltage present at the input terminal. The input terminal is connected to a conduction terminal of the power element.

Abstract: An electronic thermal protection circuit is for high currents which can occur in the start-up phase in lighting converters. The circuit is associated with a power device having an output terminal connected to an electric load and at least one control terminal receiving a predetermined driving current value by a driving circuit portion. Advantageously, an integrated temperature sensor is provided to detect the temperature of the power device, and an output stage is connected downstream of the sensor to switch off the driving circuit portion when a predetermined operation temperature is exceeded.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is for the gradual start-up of electric loads, particularly halogen lamps. The circuit may include a power device having an output terminal connected to the electric load and having at least one control terminal receiving a predetermined driving current value. The circuit may further include a comparator having a first input terminal coupled to the power device output and a second input terminal kept at a reference potential. The comparator output may be connected to a controlled switch inserted upstream of the control terminal to control the opening of the switch and adjust the start-up phase of the power device according to the value of the reference potential.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is for optimizing or reducing switching losses in current-driven power devices and includes a switching power device connected to an electric load. The power devices has at least one control terminal arranged to receive a predetermined drive current value produced by a first current generator. The control terminal also receives an additional drive current portion produced by a second independent current generator. Advantageously, the electronic circuit includes a control circuit for controlling a switch connected between the second current generator and the control terminal of the switching power device during the turn-on and turn-off phases of the power device.

Abstract: A driver circuit drives a power element connected to an inductive load. The driver circuit includes an output terminal, and a first current generator is connected between a voltage reference and the output terminal for providing a first charge current to a control terminal of the power element, which is connected to the output terminal. The driver circuit also includes a second current generator connected in parallel with the first current generator. The second current generator is connected between the voltage reference and the output terminal, and provides the control terminal with a second charge current dependent on a voltage present at the input terminal. The input terminal is connected to a conduction terminal of the power element.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is for the gradual start-up of electric loads, particularly halogen lamps. The circuit may include a power device having an output terminal connected to the electric load and having at least one control terminal receiving a predetermined driving current value. The circuit may further include a comparator having a first input terminal coupled to the power device output and a second input terminal kept at a reference potential. The comparator output may be connected to a controlled switch inserted upstream of the control terminal to control the opening of the switch and adjust the start-up phase of the power device according to the value of the reference potential.

Abstract: An electronic thermal protection circuit is for high currents which can occur in the start-up phase in lighting converters. The circuit is associated with a power device having an output terminal connected to an electric load and at least one control terminal receiving a predetermined driving current value by a driving circuit portion. Advantageously, an integrated temperature sensor is provided to detect the temperature of the power device, and an output stage is connected downstream of the sensor to switch off the driving circuit portion when a predetermined operation temperature is exceeded.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is for optimizing or reducing switching losses in current-driven power devices and includes a switching power device connected to an electric load. The power devices has at least one control terminal arranged to receive a predetermined drive current value produced by a first current generator. The control terminal also receives an additional drive current portion produced by a second independent current generator. Advantageously, the electronic circuit includes a control circuit for controlling a switch connected between the second current generator and the control terminal of the switching power device during the turn-on and turn-off phases of the power device.