Patents by Inventor Robert Illing
Robert Illing has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20210028780Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the circuit includes a transistor coupled between a supply pin and an output pin, a current output circuit configured to provide a diagnosis current at an current output pin, a current sensing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to generate a first current sense signal indicative of a load current passing through the transistor and a second current sense signal indicative of the load current. The current output circuit is configured to select, dependent on a control signal, one of the following as diagnosis current: the first current sense signal and the second current sense signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Alexander Mayer, Robert Illing, Marco Faricelli
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Patent number: 10868418Abstract: In accordance with one example, the electronic switch has a load current path operably coupled to a load via a wire; the electronic switch is configured to connect or disconnect a load current supply node and the load via the wire dependent on a drive signal. Further, the electronic fuse circuit includes a monitoring circuit configured to receive a current sense signal representing the load current passing through the wire and to determine a first protection signal based on the current sense signal and at least one wire parameter. The first protection signal is indicative of whether to disconnect the load current supply node from the load. Moreover, the electronic fuse circuit includes a logic circuit configured to receive at least one selection signal and to set the at least one wire parameter based on the at least one selection signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Christian Djelassi-Tscheck, Robert Illing, Cosimo Lamacchia, Mario Tripolt
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Patent number: 10840700Abstract: An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode based at least on a level of a load current of the electronic switch. In the first operation mode the control circuit is configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of the load current and drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The control circuit is configured to generate a status signal such that the status signal has a wakeup pulse when the operation mode changes from the second operation mode to the first operation mode and, after the wakeup pulse, a signal level representing a level of the load current.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi, Markus Ladurner, David Jansson
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Patent number: 10446469Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a base element and a copper element over the base element. The copper element includes a layer stack having at least two copper layers and at least one intermediate conductive layer of a material different from copper. The at least two copper layers and the at least one intermediate conductive layer are alternately stacked over each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Thomas Detzel, Johann Gross, Robert Illing, Maximilian Krug, Sven Gustav Lanzerstorfer, Michael Nelhiebel, Werner Robl, Michael Rogalli, Stefan Woehlert
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Publication number: 20190267983Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes operating a transistor device by a drive circuit in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode based on an operating mode signal received by the drive circuit. Operating the transistor device in each of the first operating mode and the second operating mode includes switching on the transistor device based on a drive signal received by the drive circuit; monitoring at least one operating parameter of the transistor device; and switching off the transistor device independent of the drive signal when the at least one operating parameter reaches a respective predefined off-threshold. Switching on the transistor device in the second operating mode includes switching on the transistor with a second slew rate that is smaller than a first slew rate in the first operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi-Tscheck
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Patent number: 10396067Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having opposite first and second surfaces. The semiconductor body includes a load current component having a load current transistor area and a sensor component having a sensor transistor area. The load current transistor area and the sensor transistor area share a same transistor unit construction. The load current transistor area includes first and second transistor area parts, and the sensor transistor area includes a third transistor area part. The first and the third transistor area parts differ from the second transistor area part between the first and the third transistor area parts by a load current transistor area element being absent in the second transistor area part. The second transistor area part is electrically disconnected from a parallel connection of the first and second transistor area parts by the load current transistor area element being absent in the second transistor area part.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Stefan Decker, Robert Illing, Michael Nelhiebel
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Publication number: 20190199342Abstract: A method includes monitoring a load path voltage and an operating parameter of the transistor device; operating the transistor device in a normal mode when the operating parameter is below a threshold associated with the operating parameter, where operating the transistor device in the normal mode includes operating the transistor device in one of an on-state or an off-state based on a drive signal; and operating the transistor device in a fault mode upon detecting a fault based on comparing the operating parameter with the threshold. Operating the transistor device in the fault mode includes switching off the transistor device, operating the transistor device in the on-state includes adjusting the threshold in accordance with a first characteristic curve dependent on the load path voltage, and operating the transistor device in the off-state includes adjusting the threshold according to a second characteristic curve different from the first characteristic curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi-Tscheck, Alexander Mayer
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Publication number: 20190190255Abstract: An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode based at least on a level of a load current of the electronic switch. In the first operation mode the control circuit is configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of the load current and drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The control circuit is configured to generate a status signal such that the status signal has a wakeup pulse when the operation mode changes from the second operation mode to the first operation mode and, after the wakeup pulse, a signal level representing a level of the load current.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi, Markus Ladurner, David Jansson
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Publication number: 20190157258Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having opposite first and second surfaces. The semiconductor body includes a load current component having a load current transistor area and a sensor component having a sensor transistor area. The load current transistor area and the sensor transistor area share a same transistor unit construction. The load current transistor area includes first and second transistor area parts, and the sensor transistor area includes a third transistor area part. The first and the third transistor area parts differ from the second transistor area part between the first and the third transistor area parts by a load current transistor area element being absent in the second transistor area part. The second transistor area part is electrically disconnected from a parallel connection of the first and second transistor area parts by the load current transistor area element being absent in the second transistor area part.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Stefan Decker, Robert Illing, Michael Nelhiebel
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Patent number: 10298251Abstract: An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, a first protection circuit configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of a load current through the load path of the electronic switch, and a drive circuit configured to drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The first protection circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive an ADC input signal representing the load current, to sample the ADC input signal once in each of a plurality of successive sampling periods, and to output an ADC output signal that includes a sequence of values such that each of the values represents a respective sample of the ADC input signal. The ADC is configured to pseudo-randomly select a sample time in each sampling period.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi, Markus Ladurner, David Jansson
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Patent number: 10256814Abstract: An first embodiment relates to a device comprising: a first semiconductor switch; an integrated sensor for determining a current that passes the first semiconductor switch; and a terminal to which a signal is provided in case the current fulfills a predetermined condition. Also, a system comprising such device, and a method of operation are suggested.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Robert Illing, Veli Kartal, Fang Lu-Ruhbach
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Patent number: 10249612Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor body includes a load current component having a load current transistor area and a sensor component including a sensor transistor area. The sensor transistor area has first and third transistor area parts differing from a second transistor area part between the first and third transistor area parts by a sensor transistor area element being absent in the second transistor area part. The second transistor area part is electrically disconnected from a parallel connection of the first and third transistor area parts by the sensor transistor area element being absent in the second transistor area part.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Stefan Decker, Robert Illing, Michael Nelhiebel
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Patent number: 10170905Abstract: An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode based at least on a level of a load current of the electronic switch. In the first operation mode the control circuit is configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of the load current and drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The control circuit is configured to generate a status signal such that the status signal has a wakeup pulse when the operation mode changes from the second operation mode to the first operation mode and, after the wakeup pulse, a signal level representing a level of the load current.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi, Markus Ladurner, David Jansson
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Patent number: 10153762Abstract: A transistor monolithically integrated in a semiconductor body includes a first sub-transistor and a second sub-transistor that both include a first and second load contacts and a control contact for controlling an electric current through a load path. The first load contact of the first sub-transistor is electrically connected to the first load contact of the second sub-transistor and the second load contact of the first sub-transistor is electrically connected to the second load contact of the second sub-transistor. A control circuit is configured to cause the first sub-transistor to switch from a first state to a second state at a first point of time and to cause the second sub-transistor to switch from the first state to the second state at a second point of time subsequent to the first point of time.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Markus Ladurner, Robert Illing
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Patent number: 10120398Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining, by a temperature sensor, a temperature of a device that controls an amount of current flowing to a load, and determining, based on the temperature of the device, a threshold current. The method also includes, in response to determining that the amount of current flowing to the load is greater than the threshold current, adjusting the amount of current flowing to the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Robert Illing, Alexander Mayer
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Publication number: 20180287365Abstract: In accordance with one example, the electronic switch has a load current path operably coupled to a load via a wire; the electronic switch is configured to connect or disconnect a load current supply node and the load via the wire dependent on a drive signal. Further, the electronic fuse circuit includes a monitoring circuit configured to receive a current sense signal representing the load current passing through the wire and to determine a first protection signal based on the current sense signal and at least one wire parameter. The first protection signal is indicative of whether to disconnect the load current supply node from the load. Moreover, the electronic fuse circuit includes a logic circuit configured to receive at least one selection signal and to set the at least one wire parameter based on the at least one selection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christian Djelassi-Tscheck, Robert Illing, Cosimo Lamacchia, Mario Tripolt
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Patent number: 10079594Abstract: In one example, a circuit includes an input, an output, and a control module. The input is configured to receive a control signal indicating whether to activate or deactivate a load. The output is configured to supply current to activate the load. The control module is configured to determine whether a state of the circuit is a low current consumption mode (LCCM). In response to determining that the state of the circuit is not the LCCM, the control module is configured to determine whether the control signal indicates to activate the load and output, at the output, the current to activate the load. In response to determining that the state of the circuit is the LCCM, the control module is configured to ignore the control signal indicating whether to activate or deactivate the load and output, at the output, the current to activate the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph Riedl, Robert Illing
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Patent number: 10027110Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, by a power switching device and via a connector of the power switching device, a signal that causes the power switching device to transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in which the power switching device consumes less current than the first operating mode. In this example, the method also includes, responsive to determining, while the power switching device is in the second operating mode, an occurrence of one or more events, outputting, by the power switching device and via the same connector of the power switching device, a signal that indicates the occurrence of the one or more events.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christian Djelassi, Hans-Peter Kreuter, Robert Illing
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Patent number: 9966943Abstract: A system and method for a high-side power switch includes a gate driver configured to be coupled to a power switch, a voltage measurement circuit configured to be coupled directly to the power switch, a switch monitoring circuit configured to be coupled to the power switch, the switch monitoring circuit configured to measure an output current of the power switch, a current limitation circuit coupled to the gate driver and the switch monitoring circuit, the current limitation circuit configured to regulate gate-source voltage of the gate driver when the output current exceeds a threshold value, and a controller coupled to the current limitation circuit and the voltage measurement circuit, the controller configured to determine a mode of operation according to a startup voltage measured by the voltage measurement circuit during a startup sequence, the controller further configured to provide the threshold value to the current limitation circuit according to the mode of operation and a switch voltage measured byType: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Christian Djelassi, Alexander Mayer, Robert Illing
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Patent number: 9954548Abstract: An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, a first protection circuit configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of a load current through the load path of the electronic switch, and a drive circuit configured to drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The first protection circuit includes a logarithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive an ADC input signal representing the load current and to output an ADC output signal that includes a sequence of values such that each of the values represents a respective sample of the ADC input signal, a filter configured to filter the ADC output signal and output a filter output signal, and a comparator circuit configured to generate the first protection signal based on comparing the filter output signal with a predefined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Robert Illing, Christian Djelassi, Markus Ladurner, David Jansson