Abstract: An apparatus for switching loads, based on a starting signal, having a first MOSFET output stage and a second downstream MOSFET output stage, each of the MOSFET output stages being controllable by a logic circuit, with a power supply voltage of the downstream MOSFET output stage being supplied over the first MOSFET output stage. The apparatus includes a line that is adapted to connect each logic circuit of the MOSFET output stages and to provide an input voltage to a logic circuit of the downstream MOSFET output stage. The apparatus also includes a monitoring arrangement, which is activated by the starting signal, that is adapted to monitor the power supply voltage of the downstream MOSFET output stage and prevent activation of the first MOSFET output stage when the power supply voltage is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for controlling the heating current of a seat heater as a function of temperature is described. The circuit has a temperature sensing element that is integrated into an assigned logic circuit. The method optimizes a seat heating control arrangement by using variable heating phase durations.

Abstract: The starting device for starting an internal combustion engine includes a starter motor (12) with a pinion for cranking the internal combustion engine; a voltage source (40) for the starter motor; a starter relay (14) for connecting and disconnecting the voltage source to and from the starter motor and an electronic relay (32) for triggering the starter relay according to control signals from the motor controller (50). The electronic relay (32) is mounted on the starter motor or in the starter relay. The electronic relay (32) includes a power module (34) with a redundancy circuit including two transistors (144', 144") coupled with each other by a logic circuit for preventing starter operation when one of the two transistors is defective.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for temperature-dependent control of the heating current of seat heaters to detect with a high functional reliability an interruption in the lead wire to a temperature element and to shut down the heating current in the event that an interrupt is found.

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.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting a MOSFET power transistor, the circuit having a variable input impedance in which the rate of rise of voltage is to be increased and thus the switching time reduced. For this purpose, a second MOSFET auxiliary transistor is connected by its bulk electrode to the source of the MOSFET power transistor. The source of the second MOSFET auxiliary transistor is connected to the gate of a third MOSFET auxiliary transistor and to the gate of the MOSFET power transistor. The drain of the second MOSFET auxiliary transistor is connected to a circuit input terminal which is coupled by a resistor to the gate of the MOSFET power transistor. The gate of the second MOSFET auxiliary transistor is connected to the drain of the second MOSFET auxiliary transistor as well as to the source of the third MOSFET auxiliary transistor.