Abstract:
An integrated power operational amplifier can alternatively be operated in a master or a slave mode, such that a master amplifier can be connected in parallel with one or more slave amplifiers. This arrangement allows very low impedance loads to be driven, as well the heat dissipation to be distributed over a number of devices, thereby raising the maximum dissipation limits of integrated power systems. In addition, by eliminating the ballast resistors, more power can be delivered by the system, for the same supply voltage, and less power dissipated.
Abstract:
The n-channel VDMOS transistor described is formed in an n-type active region of an integrated circuit with junction isolation. To prevent over-voltages between source and gate which could damage or destroy the gate dielectric, a p-channel MOS transistor is formed in the same active region (13) and has its gate electrode connected to the gate electrode (17) of the VDMOS transistor, its source region in common with the source region (9) of the VDMOS transistor, and its drain region (30, 31) connected to the p-type junction-isolation region (14). The p-channel MOS transistor has a threshold voltage below the breakdown voltage of the gate dielectric of the VDMOS transistor so that it acts as a voltage limiter.
Abstract:
A device for detecting load impedance, comprising an analog circuit portion, for detecting the impedance value of a load, and a digital circuit portion (2), which is adapted to provide load impedance type information.
Abstract:
A short-circuit protection circuit, particularly for power transistors, whose particularity is the fact that it comprises: first means (11) for mirroring the output current of a power transistor (12) which are parallel-connected to the power transistor, and second mirroring means (13, 14) which are series-connected to the first mirroring means (11) and are adapted to emit a current which is correlated to the current mirrored by the first mirroring means, for comparison with a reference current (Iref); the result of the comparison determining the need to intervene or not on the power transistor (12); and in that it further comprises means (16) for sensing the voltage drop across the power transistor which are parallel-connected to the power transistor and to the first mirroring means (11), in order to adjust minimum and maximum values of the current in output from the power transistor, as a function of the voltage that is present across the transistor.