Abstract: According to various embodiments, a circuit arrangement may be provided, comprising a driver circuit configured to deliver a switching signal to a power switch such that the power switch controls a load current, a gate-back regulation circuit selectively connected to the driver circuit and the load current, and a diagnostic circuit configured to provide an enabling signal, which allows the gate-back regulation circuit to become active; and wherein the enabling signal is dependent at least in part on a condition independent of the load current.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Devices and methods comprising a switch and an overload detection are disclosed. When an overload detection is detected, a first retry scheme followed by a second retry scheme different from the first retry scheme may be applied. If the overload condition persists, the switch may be disabled.

Abstract: A circuit is suggested comprising an electronic switching element, a logic unit coupled to control the electronic switching element, and a counter unit coupled to the logic unit, wherein the counter unit comprises a counter and an internal power supply.

Abstract: A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator in a vehicle is provided. The direction indicator circuit may include a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a lighting means of a direction indicator and to a direction indicator switch; and a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is configured to provide the direction indicator with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by the size of the capacitor; wherein the capacitor is discharged essentially constantly during the on state, and wherein the capacitor is charged essentially constantly during the off state.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, at a first time by a power switching device via an input connector of the power switching device, a signal that causes the power switching device to output a power signal to a load via an output connector of the power switching device. In this example, a voltage level of the power signal satisfies a voltage threshold at a second time that is later than the first time. In this example, the method also includes communicating, by the power switching device and during a time period between the first time and the second time, with an external device via the input connector.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body, at least one wiring layer disposed on the semiconductor body and a field effect transistor integrated in the semiconductor body. The field effect transistor has a plurality of gate electrodes residing in corresponding gate trenches formed in the semiconductor body. A first circuit is integrated in the semiconductor body adjacent to the field effect transistor, and a second circuit is integrated in the semiconductor body remote from the first circuit. A first additional trench is formed in the semiconductor body and includes at least one connecting line which electrically connects the first circuit and the second circuit. The semiconductor device also includes at least one conductive pad formed in the at least one wiring layer. The at least one conductive pad is arranged to at least partially cover the first additional trench to form a shielding of the at least one connecting line.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and integrated circuits are disclosed for switching on an electrical connection to one or more loads. In one example, a switch device includes a voltage source, a power switch circuit block connected to the voltage source, and a current limitation circuit block connected to the voltage source and the power switch circuit block. The switch device further includes a voltage outlet connected to the power switch circuit block. The switch device further includes a current limit feedback circuit connected to the power switch circuit block and the current limitation circuit block. The current limit feedback circuit is configured to enable the switch device to provide a regulated connection between the power switch circuit block and the voltage outlet, wherein the regulated connection defines a current limitation mode, such that the regulated connection reduces the current in the power switch circuit block if the switch device is in the current limitation mode.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator may include: a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a direction indicator switch and a lighting means; a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is designed to provide the lighting means with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by a voltage at the capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit has a first and a second circuit, wherein the capacitor provides the supply voltage for the first and second circuits during the on state; wherein the current which flows through the first circuit has a negative temperature coefficient, and the current which flows through the second circuit has a positive temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A power circuit is described that includes a switch coupled to a resistive-inductive-capacitive load and a driver coupled to the switch. The driver is configured to detect an emergency event within the power circuit. After detecting the emergency event within the power circuit, the driver is further configured to perform a controlled emergency switch-off operation of the switch to minimize the maximum temperature of the switch during the detected emergency event and switch-off operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A switching component includes a control element and an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a first transistor element and a second transistor element electrically connected in parallel to the first transistor element. The first transistor element includes first transistors, gate electrodes of which are disposed in first trenches in a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. The second transistor element includes second transistors, gate electrodes of which are disposed in second trenches in the first main surface, and a second gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the second trenches. The control element is configured to control a potential applied to the second gate conductive line.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining whether a switch circuit experienced one of a latched overload condition and an open load with no input voltage condition. In the techniques, a first diagnostic signal is output if the switch circuit experienced the latched overload condition. Also, in the techniques, a second, different diagnostic signal is output if the switch circuit experienced the open load with no input voltage condition.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor array, including first transistors and second transistors. Gate electrodes of the first transistors are disposed in first trenches in a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and gate electrodes of the second transistors are disposed in second trenches in the first main surface. The first and second trenches are disposed in parallel to each other. The semiconductor device further includes a first gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the first trenches, a second gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the second trenches, and a control element configured to control the potential applied to the second gate conductive line.

Abstract: A switching component includes a control element and an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a first transistor element and a second transistor element electrically connected in parallel to the first transistor element. The first transistor element includes first transistors, gate electrodes of which are disposed in first trenches in a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. The second transistor element includes second transistors, gate electrodes of which are disposed in second trenches in the first main surface, and a second gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the second trenches. The control element is configured to control a potential applied to the second gate conductive line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor array, including first transistors and second transistors. Gate electrodes of the first transistors are disposed in first trenches in a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and gate electrodes of the second transistors are disposed in second trenches in the first main surface. The first and second trenches are disposed in parallel to each other. The semiconductor device further includes a first gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the first trenches, a second gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the second trenches, and a control element configured to control the potential applied to the second gate conductive line.

Abstract: A method can be used for driving an electronic switch integrated in a semiconductor body. A first temperature is measured at a first position of the semiconductor body. A temperature propagation is detected in the semiconductor body. The electronic switch is switched off when the temperature at the first position rises above a first threshold that is set dependent on the detected temperature propagation.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator in a vehicle is provided. The direction indicator circuit may include: a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage; a second terminal for connecting to a direction indicator switch and a lighting means; a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; and a switch for providing a current, wherein the switch is connected to the first terminal and to the second terminal; wherein the direction indicator circuit is designed to provide the lighting means with a current during an on state using the switch and with no current during an off state; wherein during the on state the direction indicator circuit checks the provided current at least once and goes into the off state if the check detects a current which is lower than a predefined current.

Abstract: A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator in a vehicle is provided. The direction indicator circuit may include a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a lighting means of a direction indicator and to a direction indicator switch; and a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is configured to provide the direction indicator with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by the size of the capacitor; wherein the capacitor is discharged essentially constantly during the on state, and wherein the capacitor is charged essentially constantly during the off state.