Abstract: An injector driver module includes: a first node that is connected to a first terminal of a fuel injector; a first switch configured to, when closed, connect a first potential of a battery to the first node; a second switch configured to, when closed, connect a second potential that is greater than the first potential to the first node; a second node that is connected to a second terminal of the fuel injector; and a third switch configured to, when closed, connect a ground potential to the second node. A switch control module is configured to, starting at a target injecting timing for a fuel injection event of the fuel injector: maintain the third switch closed; and switch the second switch using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having (i) a duty cycle that is less than 100 percent and (ii) a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An injector driver module includes: a first node that is connected to a first terminal of a fuel injector; a first switch configured to, when closed, connect a first potential of a battery to the first node; a second switch configured to, when closed, connect a second potential that is greater than the first potential to the first node; a second node that is connected to a second terminal of the fuel injector; and a third switch configured to, when closed, connect a ground potential to the second node. A switch control module is configured to, starting at a target injecting timing for a fuel injection event of the fuel injector: maintain the third switch closed; and switch the second switch using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having (i) a duty cycle that is less than 100 percent and (ii) a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting a defective internal clock signal. A signal transformer receives a clock signal having a duty cycle and a frequency and converts with the signal transformer the clock signal into a monitoring signal having a peak value related to the duty cycle and to the frequency of the clock signal. A detector is connected to the signal transformer to receive the monitoring signal and generates an error signal when the peak value of the monitoring signal is outside a predefined range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a high current control strategy and a low current control strategy using fixed threshold values and variable threshold values. An electrical quantity related to an electrical current which is to be switched is received on an input. The electrical quantity related to the electrical current is compared with a predefined first fixed threshold value in a first comparator for determining a first logical state. The electrical quantity is compared with a first variable threshold value in a second comparator for determining a second logical state. The electrical current is switched between an ON state and an OFF state in response to a switching signal on an output terminal when the electrical quantity of the electrical current meets the first variable threshold value. The first logical state, the second logical state and the switching signal provided at the output terminal vary the first variable threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a high current control strategy and a low current control strategy using fixed threshold values and variable threshold values. An electrical quantity related to an electrical current which is to be switched is received on an input. The electrical quantity related to the electrical current is compared with a predefined first fixed threshold value in a first comparator for determining a first logical state. The electrical quantity is compared with a first variable threshold value in a second comparator for determining a second logical state. The electrical current is switched between an ON state and an OFF state in response to a switching signal on an output terminal when the electrical quantity of the electrical current meets the first variable threshold value. The first logical state, the second logical state and the switching signal provided at the output terminal vary the first variable threshold value.