Intelligent Power Devices add standalone system protection
ROHM has launched a family of high voltage (41V) dual channel output high side switch (Intelligent Power Devices, IPD) optimized for automotive ECUs in transmission control, engine control, and other vehicle systems. IPDs are semiconductor devices that protect electronic circuits from breakdown such as overcurrent during abnormalities. Unlike conventional fuses, IPD as semiconductor fuses can protect circuits without degrading or breaking down, making it possible to achieve maintenance-free systems.
The BV2Hx045EFU-C are the first high-side IPDs capable of providing standalone protection against overcurrent by incorporating an original overcurrent protection function. Conventional IPDs only protect against inrush current at startup, so microcontrollers and overcurrent detection devices are needed for protection of steady-state currents, and there is still the possibility of an out of control situation due to compatibility issues with subsequent circuits connected to the IPD output. Depending on the capacitance value of the subsequent circuit connected to the IPD output, inrush current at startup can cause overcurrent protection to be repeatedly detected and reset, resulting in oscillation.
The devices are aimed at ECU protection in vehicle electrical systems. As semiconductor switches do not generate sound during switching, they can also be used for a wide variety of relay (circuit switching) applications.
The BV2Hx045EFU-C integrates a proprietary function that provides standalone protection from both inrush and steady state overcurrent, ensuring stable drive operation and greater system reliability. In addition, an error signal can be sent to the MCU when an abnormality (i.e. overcurrent) has been detected, providing functional safety for the entire system.
This IPD family can protect the system against both inrush and steady state overcurrent, ensuring greater system safety by providing a high reliability solution with fewer parts compared to conventional products. In addition, the overcurrent protection range can be adjusted with external components to enable broad compatibility. Once an overcurrent condition of the steady state current is detected, the IPD output is controlled (ON/OFF) by the MCU Enable signal.
This means the IPD family can protect the system against both inrush and steady state overcurrent, ensuring greater system safety by providing a high reliability solution with fewer parts compared to conventional products. In addition, the overcurrent protection range can be adjusted with external components to enable broad compatibility. Once an overcurrent condition of the steady state current is detected, the IPD output is controlled (ON/OFF) by the MCU Enable signal.
The devices enable adjustment of the inrush protection time and abnormal current threshold of the steady state current by simply changing the external capacitor and resistor constants, ensuring support for a wide range of systems. This makes it possible to eliminate up to 7 external parts compared to conventional solutions, decreasing mounting area by as much as 70 percent.
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