Abstract: The ignition coil driver module of the present invention includes a control integrated circuit, formed of a low voltage semiconductor material, and a high current load driver integrated circuit, formed of a high voltage integrated circuit, housed within a common package. The high current load driver integrated circuit is responsive to a low voltage drive signal provided by the control integrated circuit to permit a load current to flow unrestricted through the load driver integrated circuit and an inductive load connected thereto. The control integrated circuit includes a sense resistor which receives the load current from the high current load driver integrated circuit, converts this current to a sense voltage, compares the sense voltage to a reference voltage generated within the control integrated circuit, and forces the low voltage drive signal to drop to a level which will limit the load current to a predetermined current value.

Abstract: The ignition coil driver module of the present invention includes a control integrated circuit and a high current load driver integrated circuit housed within a common package such as a TO-247 or TO-264 package. The control integrated circuit is formed of a semiconductor material manufactured in accordance with a standard low-voltage integrated circuit processing technology and is responsive to a control signal input to provide a low voltage drive signal. The high current load driver integrated circuit is formed of a semiconductor material manufactured in accordance with a high-voltage integrated circuit processing technology and is responsive to the low voltage drive signal to energize the high current load. A current limit function is further provided for limiting the load current to a predetermined level.

Abstract: An insulated gate electrical load driving device includes simple and accurate gate control circuitry for limiting load current therethrough. Preferably, all circuitry is formed of a single integrated circuit having the insulated gate load driving device dielectrically isolated from the gate control circuitry. The gate control circuitry may include either one, or both, of a zener diode and a resistor divider. An input drive signal to the circuit is accurately controlled by the gate control circuitry to thereby limit the saturation current through the insulated load driving device, and hence the load current, to predetermined current level. Preferably, the predetermined saturation current level falls within a range of saturation currents of the insulated gate load driving device that is substantially constant over a wide operating temperature range.

Abstract: The multi-channel ignition coil driver module of the present invention includes a control integrated circuit and multiple high current load driver integrated circuits housed within a common package. The control integrated circuit is formed of a semiconductor material manufactured in accordance with a standard low-voltage integrated circuit processing technology and is responsive to multiple control signal inputs to provide a corresponding multiple number of low voltage drive signals. Each of the high current load driver integrated circuits are formed of a semiconductor material manufactured in accordance with a high-voltage integrated circuit processing technology and are each responsive to a different one of the low voltage drive signals to energize a different one of a multiple number of high current loads. A current limit function is further provided in each of the multiple channels for limiting the corresponding load current to a predetermined level.