Abstract: A monolithically integrated output stage includes an arrangement for detecting the load current through a power switching transistor and/or an arrangement for detecting the output voltage at a power switching transistor and/or an arrangement for detecting the chip temperature. A switching logic of the monolithically integrated output stage includes at least one output transistor for switching the output transistor on reaching at least one predetermined load current threshold and/or output voltage threshold and/or temperature threshold, where the output transistor supplies a high signal at at least one logic output. The emitter of the output transistor is coupled to the logic output, and a switching device is provided to block the output transistor at a negative collector voltage of the power switching transistor.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement of an ignition output stage, in particular for an ignition circuit of a motor vehicle, is described. The circuit arrangement includes a multiple Darlington transistor (Darlington) which drives a primary winding of an ignition coil, as well as a driving circuit for the Darlington. An n-p-n Darlington is provided, whose collector is connected to the positive terminal of a voltage source and whose emitter is connected to a first terminal of the primary winding of the ignition coil. The second terminal of the primary winding is connected to ground. The Darlington is driven via a decoupling element which isolates the driving circuit from a negative reverse voltage present at the base of the Darlington when the latter is turned off.

Abstract: The gating circuit has a power transistor (T1, T2, T3) and a current measuring resistor (R5) connected with the power transistor so that a voltage drop at the measuring resistor is a measure of a current flow in the power transistor. This voltage drop is used to trigger a current regulating transistor (T5) and a temperature measuring transistor (T9). Below a predetermined temperature, the current flow is limited solely by the current regulating transistor (T5). Above this predetermined temperature the collector current is further reduced via the temperature measuring transistor (T9) and a further transistor (T10) so as to protect the power transistor from thermal overload.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated MOS output-stage component, particularly a DMOS output stage, includes an output-stage element having a GATE connection, a SOURCE connection, and a DRAIN connection, and also includes an excess-temperature protection device. An integrated GATE-protection resistor is provided. The excess-temperature protection device is also integrated in the output-stage component and includes a series connection of a Zener-diode with a temperature-dependent resistor having a positive temperature coefficient. The resistor is coupled with the SOURCE connection while the Zener-diode is coupled with an outer GATE connection. The series connection is provided with a supply voltage. Furthermore, the excess-temperature protection device contains a semiconductor arrangement controlled by a control voltage at the tap node of the series connection. The semiconductor arrangement reduces the GATE voltage upon the occurrence of excess temperatures.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated power output stage detects the load current through an output-stage transistor. Switch logic coupled to an output transistor is for switching the output transistor when a predetermined load-current threshold is reached. In this connection, the output transistor is integrated in a separate insulated .pi.-well which contains, in addition, a diode which couples the .pi.-region of the .pi.-well to a ground terminal. This limits the maximum potential to a forward voltage of more than 0 volts and thereby prevents malfunction in normal operation since it leads shift currents in low-resistance to ground by capacitive coupling upon an increase in the voltage of the collector of the output-stage transistor.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated MOS output-stage component is proposed which is provided with an output-stage element (10) having a GATE connection, a SOURCE connection, and a DRAIN connection, and having an overload-protection device. An integrated GATE series resistor (11) is provided which connects an outer GATE connection (Ga) of the output-stage component with the GATE connection (Gi) of the output-stage element (10). The overload-protection device is integrated in the output-stage component and has a level matching stage (30) which, by a defined flow through the GATE series resistor (11), effects a displacement of the transmission characteristic of the output-stage element (10) by a defined voltage offset value. Furthermore, a limiting stage (34) is provided which limits the sum value of the DRAIN-SOURCE voltage and a voltage proportional to the DRAIN current to a determinable value.