Abstract: A bandgap voltage reference circuit is achieved that does not resort to the use of resistors or regulation loops and is thus able to achieve improved noise performance while also exhibiting absolute stability, no start-up issues, and low input-voltage operation. Subcircuits comprised of four interconnected transistors of different junction areas are used to create differential base-emitter voltage sources with magnitudes that vary in direct proportion to absolute temperature. The voltages from several of these subcircuits are combined without resistors to create a voltage source that is proportional to absolute temperature. An additional transistor is operated as a forward-biased PN junction to create a voltage source that varies in a sense that is complementary to absolute temperature.

Abstract: A short circuit protection circuit which has a first short circuit protection circuit in parallel with a second short circuit protection circuit is disclosed. The first short circuit protection circuit includes a sense resistor and a comparator for detecting the short circuit, and a transistor and current source for turning off the low side driver when the short circuit is detected. The second short circuit protection circuit includes a current mirror, zener diode, transistor, and current source connected in series. The second short circuit protection circuit is in parallel with the first short circuit protection circuit. The second short circuit protection circuit accelerates the turn-off of the low-side driver with out affecting the stability of the circuit.

Abstract: A short circuit protection circuit which has a first short circuit protection circuit in parallel with a second short circuit protection circuit is disclosed. The first short circuit protection circuit includes a sense resistor and a comparator for detecting the short circuit, and a transistor and current source for turning off the low side driver when the short circuit is detected. The second short circuit protection circuit includes a current mirror, zener diode, transistor, and current source connected in series. The second short circuit protection circuit is in parallel with the first short circuit protection circuit. The second short circuit protection circuit accelerates the turn-off of the low-side driver with out affecting the stability of the circuit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an integrated regulator having an adjustable reset threshold is disclosed. The integrated regulator has the following elements contained within an integrated circuit device: a transistor, a voltage reference block, an internal resistive network, an operational amplifier which regulates the voltage output signal of the integrated regulator by regulating the base current of the transistor, and a comparator which senses and communicates to the user when the operational amplifier is unable to maintain the voltage output signal within an acceptable range of a desired value of the voltage output signal. External to the integrated circuit device is an external resistive network. When the reset output signal of the integrated regulator is equal to an active state, this is indicative that the operational amplifier has been unsuccessful in keeping the voltage output signal within the acceptable range of the desired value of the voltage output signal, i.e.

Abstract: A multipurpose integrated circuit for driving in a switching mode an externally connected load or loads permits implementation of any appropriate supply scheme of the external load or loads through six output terminals thereof and is therefore useful in a large number of applications. The integrated circuit uses six integrated power switching devices provided with respective recirculation diodes and a single externally connected sensing resistor for generating, by means of a customary PWM control loop, a control signal by which means of a logic circuit configurable by progrmaming permits the generation of driving signals as a function of the control signal for all six integrated power switches in accordance with a configuration of the driving signals which conforms with the particular scheme of connection of the load or loads selected among the different bridge type and unipolar-motor type schemes which may be selected by programming.

Abstract: The circuit controls current switching in multiple inductive loads (L1, L2, L3, L4) fed by means of respective switching switches (SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4) and by means of respective current adjustment switches (SWA, SWB), and comprises a single sense resistor (R) in series to said switching switches, and a single comparator circuit (C, FF) adapted to generate a logical signal (Q) when the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds a reference voltage (V.sub.ref), which drives a plurality of AND gates (PA, PB) which control said adjustment switches and the second inputs whereof are driven by respective square-wave signals in opposite phase with a period equal to twice the switching period.

Abstract: A circuit for holding a MOS power transistor in a conduction state on the occurrence of an outage in the voltage supply, being of a type which comprises a first MOS transistor having its source connected to a line of the voltage supply and its drain connected to the gate of the power transistor, further comprises a diode connected between the drain of the first transistor and the gate of the power transistor, and a second transistor of the MOS type having its gate connected to the gate of the first transistor drain connected to the gate of the power transistor. The circuit prevents the gate capacitance of the power transistor from becoming discharged on a failure of the voltage supply, thus holding that transistor in a conducting state.

Abstract: A multipurpose integrated circuit for driving in a switching mode an externally connected load or loads permits implementation of any appropriate supply scheme of the external load or loads through six output terminals thereof and is therefore useful in a large number of applications. The integrated circuit uses six integrated power switching devices provided with respective recirculation diodes and a single externally connected sensing resistor for generating, by means of a customary PWM control loop, a control signal by which means of a logic circuit configurable by .?.programaming.!. .Iadd.programming .Iaddend.permits the generation of driving signals as a function of the control signal for all six integrated power switches in accordance with a configuration of the driving signals which conforms with the particular scheme of connection of the load or loads selected among the different bridge type and unipolar-motor type schemes which may be selected by programming.