
High-side switch controller has flexible diagnostic and protection features
As the first product of the new STi²Fuse family, the VNF1048F is compatible with on-board voltages of 12 V, 24 V and 48 V. Its flexibility offers ideal conditions for the latest system protection and diagnostic features. Its flexibility provides ideal conditions for the latest zoned automotive electrical and electronic architectures, improving efficiency and reliability while providing support for increased electrification and additional smart driving features.
The VNF1048F has an SPI interface that allows the host microcontroller to configure and monitor the device’s system protection and diagnostic functions. These functions include undervoltage and overtemperature protection, overheat protection for the external high-side MOSFET, desaturation shutdown and I²-t fuse settings. A high-accuracy digital current measurement function is also built in, and in addition there are integrated A/D converters (ADCs) for monitoring the voltage at the temperature measurement thermistor, the output voltage and the drain-source voltage of the MOSFET.
ST’s I²-t fuse, a key feature of the STi²Fuse product family, provides fast-acting, resettable and reliable overcurrent protection. Semiconductor fuses also help simplify vehicle wiring harnesses and save weight by eliminating the need for user-accessible fuse boxes and the associated wiring and installation hassle.
The VNF1048FTR has already gone into production and will be offered in a 5 mm x 5 mm QFN 32L package with 32 terminals at prices starting at $1.77 (from 1,000 units).