Monolithic Power Systems has filed a patent for a power circuit that includes a first power switch and a control unit. The control circuit provides a driving signal to the first power switch, which is turned on and off accordingly. The circuit also includes an input pin, an output pin, at least one control pin, and a first safety pin that controls the first power switch based on a safety signal. GlobalData’s report on Monolithic Power Systems gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Monolithic Power Systems, Power MOSFET SMPS was a key innovation area identified from patents. Monolithic Power Systems's grant share as of September 2023 was 76%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Power circuit with safety control for a first power switch
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230318511A1) describes a power circuit that includes a first power switch, a control circuit, and various other components. The first power switch has a control terminal that is controlled by a control circuit, which provides a driving signal to turn the switch on and off. The power circuit also includes an input pin to receive an input voltage signal, an output pin to provide an output voltage signal, and at least one control pin to receive control signals. Additionally, there is a safety pin that receives a safety signal to control the first power switch.
The power circuit is designed to adjust the output voltage signal to meet the automotive safety standard requirement of the load device in response to the safety signal. It also includes a safety function circuit that receives a safety command and generates the first safety signal in response to the command. Furthermore, there is an off signal generating circuit that receives a safety shutdown signal and turns off the first power switch in response to the signal.
The control circuit of the power circuit includes a gate driving control circuit and a driver. The gate driving control circuit provides a PWM control signal in response to the control signals received at the control pin. The driver then adjusts the driving signal provided to the control terminal of the first power switch based on the PWM control signal and the first safety signal.
The power circuit can be integrated on separate dies, with the control circuit on one die and the safety function circuit on another die. Similarly, the control circuit and the first power switch can be integrated on separate dies.
The power circuit can also be used as a motor driver integrated circuit, where it includes a second power switch and a second safety pin to control the second power switch. The first power switch is connected to the input pin and the output pin to provide the output voltage signal to a motor. The power circuit adjusts the output voltage signal to the motor when both the first and second safety signals are received.
The patent also describes a method for controlling the power circuit, which involves receiving input voltage and control signals, providing a driving signal to the first power switch, receiving the first safety signal, and providing an output voltage signal based on the driving signal and the first safety signal. The method also includes adjusting the output voltage signal to meet the ASIL requirement of the load device in response to the first safety signal.
Additionally, the patent describes a safety function circuit for the power circuit, which includes an input pin to receive a safety command, a protection circuit to generate a safety signal in response to the command, and an output pin to provide the safety signal to the control terminal of the power switch. The safety function circuit can monitor the power switch's status and the load condition of the load device.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
