Electrical assembly

Abstract

An electrical assembly includes a controller, a voltage tracker component, a clamp protection circuit, a plurality of analog inputs, and a plurality of pull-up devices. The voltage tracker component may be electrically coupled to the battery. The clamp protection circuit may be electrically coupled between the voltage tracker component and the plurality of analog inputs. A plurality of pull-up devices may be electrically coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamp protection circuit. The clamp protection circuit may control power to the plurality of pull-up devices and may provide a low impedance drainage path for a short circuit current from at least one of the plurality of analog inputs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electrical components, including components that may include a clamping protection circuit and / or a voltage tracker component, which may be used in combination with an analog input, for example. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] Although the claims are not limited to specific illustrations, an understanding of the various aspects can be obtained through discussion of the various examples. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or hidden to better illustrate and explain the innovative aspects of the examples. Additionally, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not exhaustive or otherwise limiting, and the embodiments are not limited to the exact forms and configurations shown in the drawings or disclosed in the following detailed description. The exemplary illustrations are described in detail below with reference to the drawings:

[0004] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram generally showing an embodiment of an electrical component according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0005] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram generally showing an embodiment of an electrical component according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram generally showing an embodiment of an electrical component according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 4 is a flowchart generally showing an embodiment of a method of operating an electrical component according to the teachings of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the drawings. Although the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments and / or examples, these embodiments and / or examples do not limit the present disclosure to these embodiments and / or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure covers alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

[0010] In an embodiment, for example, in Figure 1As generally shown, the electrical component 100 may include a controller 102, a voltage tracker component 104, a clamping protection circuit 106, and / or a plurality of pullup devices 108. The controller 102 may be electrically coupled to the voltage tracker component 104, the clamping protection circuit 106, and / or the plurality of pullup devices 108. The controller 102 may be configured to control the clamping protection circuit 106 and / or the plurality of pullup devices 108. By way of example and not limitation, the controller 102 may be configured to transmit an activation signal 106' (e.g., a first signal) to the voltage tracker component 104, the clamping protection circuit 106, and / or the plurality of pullup devices 108. The controller 102 may be configured to control the voltage tracker component 104, the clamping protection circuit 106, and / or the plurality of pullup devices 108 via the activation signal 106' and / or one or more of various other signals.

[0011] According to an embodiment generally shown in Figure 1 the electrical component 100 may be electrically coupled to a plurality of inputs 110. By way of example and not limitation, the plurality of inputs 110 may be one or more of various analog inputs and / or digital inputs. Additionally, in an embodiment, the plurality of inputs 110 may include a first plurality of inputs 112 and / or a second plurality of inputs 114. In some embodiments, the first plurality of inputs 112 and / or the second plurality of inputs 114 may include a single input or multiple inputs. The first plurality of inputs 112 may include analog inputs, and / or the second plurality of inputs 114 may include sensitive analog inputs, such as one or more of various automotive safety integrity level (ASIL) inputs. By way of example and not limitation, the second plurality of inputs may include ASIL A, ASIL B, ASIL C, ASIL D, and / or quality management (QM) inputs (e.g., analog inputs).

[0012] In the example, ASIL is a risk classification scheme defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26262 "Functional Safety of Road Vehicles" standard. The ASIL standard is established by performing a risk analysis of potential hazards by looking at the severity, exposure probability, and controllability of vehicle operating scenarios. The safety goal for that hazard then carries ASIL requirements. Additionally, the standard identifies four ASIL and QM levels, namely ASIL A, ASIL B, ASIL C, and ASIL D. ASIL D represents the highest degree of automotive hazard and thus the highest degree of rigor applied to ensure safety requirements are met, while ASIL A represents the lowest degree of hazard. ASIL B and ASIL C provide a range of medium-level hazards and the required level of assurance. In the example, ASIL B can include headlight and brake light operation, while ASIL C can include rear-wheel braking and / or cruise control. QM represents applications with no automotive hazards and thus no safety requirements managed according to the ISO 26262 safety process.

[0013] In an embodiment, the electrical component 100 can be designed to meet the requirements of ASIL A, ASIL B, ASIL C, or ASIL D. Additionally, for example but not limited to, it may be desirable to design the electrical component 100 at least for ASIL B (e.g., including ASIL A and / or QM). The electrical component 100 can be configured to limit and / or prevent interference between multiple inputs 110. The interference can include / involve any kind of signal, electric field, voltage, current, and / or operating condition, where a faulty input of the multiple inputs 110 can affect (alter / impair) the remainder of the multiple inputs 110. ASIL A, ASIL B, ASIL C, and / or ASIL D inputs may be sensitive to interference, and thus it may be desirable to isolate each of the multiple inputs 110 to meet the various safety requirements of the associated ASIL level.

[0014] According to an embodiment, for example, in Figure 1As generally shown, the electrical component 100 can isolate a plurality of inputs 110 from interference via a clamping protection circuit 106. A plurality of pull-up devices 108 of the electrical component 100 can be electrically coupled between an associated input among the plurality of inputs 110, the clamping protection circuit 106, and the controller 102. The plurality of pull-up devices 108 can ensure that the voltage level received by the controller (for the associated input among the plurality of inputs 110) is pulled up to a logic high state. Additionally, the plurality of pull-up devices 108 can be selected / designed to set one or more unconnected pins of the controller 102 to a known state to limit / prevent error signals or unstable behavior in the electrical component 100 due to floating inputs or signal interference. The plurality of pull-up devices 108 can provide a consistent and / or stable voltage level to the controller 102, thereby protecting the controller 102 from the unpredictable and unreliable behavior of the plurality of inputs 110. The plurality of pull-up devices 108 can be coupled between the plurality of inputs 110 and the clamping protection circuit 106.

[0015] In an example, the electrical component 100 can include one or more high-current switches 116, which can be configured to substantially limit and / or prevent high input current from being transmitted to the controller 102. Additionally, one or more high-current switches 116 can be configured to prevent damage (e.g., internal damage) to the controller 102 due to high current on the input. The high-current switches 116 can be configured to operate jointly and / or independently.

[0016] In an embodiment, the controller 102 of the electrical component 100 can be a microcontroller unit (MCU), which can be a compact integrated semiconductor device characterized by a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and various input / output peripherals. The controller 102 can be configured to perform specific tasks and / or execute various control functions within an electronic system and embedded applications. The controller 102 can be configured to transmit, receive, and / or generate one or more of various signals. The controller 102 can include one or more of various components for independent operation, such as programmable memory for storing instructions, a CPU for processing instructions, and / or a configurable input / output interface for implementing communication with connected devices. The controller 102 can include the ability to manage a wide variety of operations, interact with external sensors and devices, process data, and / or execute programming instructions. The controller 102 can be programmed and / or configured for any kind of task, such as but not limited to operations associated with ASIL B inputs.

[0017] According to an embodiment, for example, in Figure 1As shown, the voltage tracker component 104 can be electrically coupled to the clamping protection circuit 106 and / or multiple pull-up devices 108. The voltage tracker component 104 (e.g., having a power supply voltage 104A and a reference voltage 104B) can be configured to supply and / or maintain a stable and consistent output voltage that substantially mimics the changes in the input or the changes in the reference voltage. The voltage tracker component 104 can include one or more operational amplifiers, transistors, and / or integrated circuits that compare the input or reference voltage with the actual output voltage. If the output voltage is different from the reference voltage or the desired voltage, the voltage tracker component 104 can correct it by adjusting the output voltage. The voltage tracker component 104 can provide stability of the output voltage by minimizing the variations caused by fluctuations in the input or reference voltage, temperature changes, and / or load changes. The voltage tracker component 104 can be configured to compare the power supply voltage 104A with the reference voltage 104B when adjusting the output voltage.

[0018] In an embodiment, for example, as generally shown in Figure 1 the clamping protection circuit 106 can be electrically coupled between the voltage tracker component 104 and the multiple pull-up devices 108. The clamping protection circuit 106 can be configured to isolate a faulty input (e.g., a short circuit) among the multiple inputs 110 from affecting the remainder of the multiple inputs 110 and / or affecting the controller 102 (e.g., shorting out the controller 102). For example, the first input among the multiple inputs 110 may experience a short circuit condition to a shared power supply, as shown by the fault arrow "A" (e.g., the voltage tracker component 104). It may be desirable to limit and / or prevent the short circuit condition of the first input from affecting the integrity of the remaining inputs among the multiple inputs 110, as shown by the arrow "B" (e.g., to meet the ASIL B rating requirements).

[0019] Additionally, according to an embodiment, the clamp protection circuit 106 can be configured as a common active clamp circuit for a shared power supply of multiple pull-up devices 108. In this way, the clamp protection circuit 106 can provide a low-impedance path to drain the short-circuit current of the shared power supply to ground while maintaining the voltage in the multiple pull-up devices 108. The clamp protection circuit 106 can be activated and / or controlled via an activation signal 106' (e.g., a clamp activation signal), which can be transmitted in one or more ways from one or more of various sources. For example but not limited to, the controller 102 can be configured to generate and / or transmit the activation signal 106' to activate one or more switches of the clamp protection circuit 106. The one or more switches can include one or more of various switching mechanisms, such as diodes, capacitors, transistors, field-effect transistors (FETs), metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) (such as n-channel or p-channel MOSFETs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), and / or intelligent FETs, etc. Additionally, the one or more switches can reroute the short-circuit current from an input among the multiple inputs 110 to a grounded drain path instead of reaching / affecting the voltage tracker component 104.

[0020] In an embodiment, for example, as generally shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the multiple inputs 110 can be analog inputs and, further, can be configured as wake-up sources. For example but not limited to, the wake-up source can include the ability to initiate and / or trigger the activation or wake-up of the electrical component 100 (e.g., the controller 102) from a low-power / sleep state to an active operating mode. The wake-up source can be configured to detect certain external events, signals, and / or changes in the operating environment, such as a short-circuit condition. The electrical component 100 can be activated by receiving the activation signal 106' to wake up from the low-power state to the fully operating state.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, the multiple inputs 110 can include a first multiple of inputs 112 and / or a second multiple of inputs 114. For example but not limited to, the first multiple of inputs 112 can include any type and / or any number of inputs (e.g., analog inputs, digital inputs, ASIL inputs, non-ASIL inputs, etc.), and / or the second multiple of inputs 114 can include at least one analog ASIL B-rated input. According to an example, the electrical component 100 can limit interference (e.g., as indicated by arrow "A") originating from the first multiple of inputs 112 via the clamp protection circuit 106 so as not to affect the second multiple of inputs 114 (e.g., as indicated by arrow "B").

[0022] As can be seen from Figure 2As can be seen, the clamping protection circuit 106 may include a first switch 120 and / or a second switch 122. The output terminal of the first switch 120 may be directly coupled to the input terminal of the second switch 122. Additionally, the output terminal of the second switch 122 may be directly coupled to ground 124. The clamping protection circuit 106 may include any number of switches to redirect a short circuit condition (e.g., originating from a faulty input among multiple inputs) away from reaching the voltage tracker component 104 and / or the remainder of the multiple inputs 110. In this way, the clamping protection circuit 106 may limit the impact of a short circuit condition on the integrity of the remainder of the multiple inputs 110 (e.g., which may involve various ASIL inputs). The first switch 120 may be electrically coupled between the multiple pull-up devices 108, the second switch 122, and / or the back-to-back circuit 130.

[0023] According to an embodiment, as generally shown in Figure 2 the back-to-back circuit 130 may be configured to provide safety during operation of the electrical component 100. Additionally, the back-to-back circuit 130 (e.g., the controller 102) may be configured to generate a control signal 130' to activate the second switch 122. The back-to-back circuit 130 may facilitate selectively connecting the voltage tracker component 104 to the multiple pull-up devices 108 such that the voltage tracker component 104 may be in an enabled state. Since the back-to-back circuit 130 switches the pull-up devices 108, the voltage tracker component 104 may be in an enabled state substantially all the time. Allowing the voltage tracker component 104 to operate in an enabled state may reduce the cost, power consumption, and / or materials when designing an ASIL B system.

[0024] Furthermore, the first switch 120 may be configured to actuate (e.g., close) in response to receiving an activation signal 106' (e.g., a first signal). The second switch 122 may be configured to actuate (e.g., close) in response to receiving a control signal 130' (e.g., a second signal) via the back-to-back circuit 130. The second switch 122 may be electrically coupled to ground 124 to provide a low impedance path (e.g., in a closed state) for diverting a short circuit current from a shared power supply to ground 124 when holding a voltage in the multiple pull-up devices 108 (e.g., when the voltage tracker component 104 is in an enabled state).

[0025] In an embodiment, as generally shown in Figure 3As generally shown, the electrical component 300 may include a controller 302, a voltage tracker component 304, a clamping protection circuit 306, a plurality of pull-up devices 308, and a plurality of analog inputs 310. A back-to-back circuit 330 may be electrically coupled between the voltage tracker component 304 (e.g., having a supply voltage 304A and a reference voltage 304B) and the plurality of analog inputs 310 (e.g., to the plurality of pull-up devices 308). Additionally, the back-to-back circuit 330 may be electrically coupled between the clamping protection circuit 306 and the voltage tracker component 304 in such a way that the back-to-back circuit 330 may reroute a short-circuit current before it reaches the voltage tracker component 304.

[0026] According to an example, the back-to-back circuit 330 may include a first switching element 330A and / or a second switching element 330B. The first switching element 330A and the second switching element 330B may facilitate the disconnection of the voltage tracker component 304 from the plurality of analog inputs 310. The first switching element 330A may be electrically coupled to the first switch 120 and / or the second switch 122 of the clamping protection circuit 306. Additionally, the second switching element 330B may be electrically coupled to the first switch 120, the second switch 122, and / or the voltage tracker component 304. In another embodiment, the first switch 120 may be directly coupled to the second switch 122 to route the current received from the plurality of analog inputs 310 through the first switch 120 (e.g., when an activation signal 106' is received), the second switch 122 (e.g., when a control signal 130' is received), and to ground 124 (e.g., for diverting the current).

[0027] In an embodiment, the back-to-back circuit 330 may operate when the second switch 122 is turned on (e.g., in an engaged position / state). Similarly, the back-to-back circuit 330 may not operate when the second switch 122 is turned off (e.g., in a non-engaged position / state). When the second switch 122 is turned off, the back-to-back circuit 330 may not facilitate (e.g., allow) the output current to flow out and / or may not facilitate (e.g., allow) the input current to flow into the voltage tracker component 304. Additionally, when the second switch 122 is turned on (e.g., to control the plurality of pull-up devices 308), the clamping protection circuit 306 may be active (e.g., awake).

[0028] According to an embodiment, for example, in Figure 4As generally shown, a method 400 of operating an electrical component 300 may include coupling a clamping protection circuit 306 between a voltage tracker component 304 and / or multiple analog inputs 310. Additionally, method 400 may include coupling multiple pull-up devices 308 between the multiple analog inputs 310 and the clamping protection circuit 306. In some configurations, a method 400 of operating an electrical component 300 may include monitoring current from the multiple analog inputs 310 (block 402). For example but not limited to, the controller 302 and / or the clamping protection circuit 306 may be configured to facilitate monitoring of the multiple analog inputs 310.

[0029] In an embodiment, method 400 may include detecting a short-circuit current from a first analog input 312 among the multiple analog inputs 310 via the clamping protection circuit 306 (block 404). The clamping protection circuit 306 may be configured to isolate the effect of the short-circuit current (from the first analog input) from affecting the remainder 314 of the multiple analog inputs 310 such that a fault signal is not transmitted to the controller 302, thereby maintaining the operational integrity of ASIL B. Additionally, the clamping protection circuit 306 (e.g., the controller 302) may provide a first signal in response to detecting the short-circuit current to deactivate a first pull-up device among the multiple pull-up devices 308 associated with the first analog input among the multiple analog inputs 310, thereby restricting the first analog input from short-circuiting the remainder of the analog inputs 310 (block 406).

[0030] According to an embodiment, method 400 may include selectively connecting the voltage tracker component 304 to the clamping protection circuit 306 via a back-to-back circuit 330 (block 408). Additionally, the back-to-back circuit 330 may be coupled between the clamping protection circuit 306 and the voltage tracker component 304. In an example, method 400 may include selectively connecting the voltage tracker component 304 to the multiple analog inputs 310 when the voltage tracker component 304 is enabled (e.g., not disabled and / or enabled).

[0031] In an embodiment, method 400 may include actuating a first switch 120 of the clamping protection circuit 306 via a first signal to selectively connect the multiple analog inputs 310 to the multiple pull-up devices 308 (block 410). Additionally, method 400 may include actuating a second switch to divert the short-circuit current in response to receiving a second signal via the back-to-back circuit 330 (also block 410).

[0032] In an example, a controller (e.g., controller 102) can include an electronic controller and / or include an electronic processor, such as a programmable microprocessor and / or a microcontroller. In an embodiment, the controller can include, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The controller can include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium), and / or an input / output (I / O) interface. The controller can be configured to perform various functions, including those described in more detail herein, using appropriate programming instructions and / or code embodied in software, hardware, and / or other media. In an embodiment, the controller can include multiple controllers. In an embodiment, the controller can be connected to a display, such as a touchscreen display.

[0033] The present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments:

[0034] 1. An electrical component, comprising: a controller; a voltage tracker component electrically coupled to a battery; a clamping protection circuit electrically coupled between the voltage tracker component and a plurality of analog inputs; and a plurality of pull-up devices electrically coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamping protection circuit; and wherein the clamping protection circuit controls power to the plurality of pull-up devices and provides a low impedance drainage path for short circuit current from at least one of the plurality of analog inputs.

[0035] 2. The electrical component according to embodiment 1, wherein the controller activates and deactivates the plurality of pull-up devices when the voltage tracker component is enabled to limit the short circuit current from affecting the remainder of the plurality of analog inputs.

[0036] 3. The electrical component according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to receive an input from the plurality of analog inputs when a coupled pull-up device among the plurality of pull-up devices is activated via the controller.

[0037] 4. The electrical component according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the short circuit current of a first analog input is isolated from the remainder of the plurality of analog inputs by deactivating a first pull-up device associated with the first analog input among the plurality of analog inputs.

[0038] 5. The electrical component according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the remainder of the plurality of pull-up devices are activated.

[0039] 6. The electrical component according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the clamping protection circuit includes at least one switch operable to route the short circuit current to ground for drainage.

[0040] 7. The electrical component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein at least one of the plurality of analog inputs is an Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) B input.

[0041] 8. The electrical component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the plurality of analog inputs operate as a wake-up source for a controller.

[0042] 9. The electrical component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a back-to-back circuit electrically coupled between a clamping protection circuit and a voltage tracker component, wherein the back-to-back circuit is electrically coupled such that when the voltage tracker component is active, the back-to-back circuit selectively connects the voltage tracker component to the plurality of analog inputs.

[0043] 10. The electrical component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the clamping protection circuit includes a first switch coupled to at least one of the plurality of pull-up devices and configured to actively clamp in response to receiving a first signal.

[0044] 11. The electrical component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the clamping protection circuit includes a second switch configured to actively clamp in response to receiving a second signal from the back-to-back circuit, and the first switch is electrically coupled to the second switch.

[0045] 12. The electrical component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the second switch is electrically coupled to ground to provide a low-impedance drainage path.

[0046] 13. A method of operating an electrical component, the electrical component including a controller, a clamping protection circuit coupled between a voltage tracker component and a plurality of analog inputs, and a plurality of pull-up devices coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamping protection circuit, the method comprising: monitoring a current from the plurality of analog inputs; and in response to detecting a short-circuit current from a first analog input among the plurality of analog inputs via the clamping protection circuit: providing a first signal to deactivate a first pull-up device among the plurality of pull-up devices associated with the first analog input among the plurality of analog inputs to limit interference of the first analog input with the remainder of the plurality of analog inputs to be received by the controller.

[0047] 14. The method according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising:

[0048] selectively connecting the voltage tracker component to the clamping protection circuit via a back-to-back circuit; wherein the back-to-back circuit is coupled between the clamping protection circuit and the voltage tracker component.

[0049] 15. The method according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising:

[0050] Generate a first signal via a controller.

[0051] 16. The method according to any one of the foregoing embodiments further includes: generating a first signal via a clamping protection circuit.

[0052] 17. The method according to any one of the foregoing embodiments further includes: when the voltage tracker component is enabled, selectively connecting the voltage tracker component to a plurality of analog inputs via a back-to-back circuit.

[0053] 18. The method according to any one of the foregoing embodiments further includes:

[0054] Actuate a first switch of the clamping protection circuit via the first signal to selectively connect the plurality of analog inputs to a plurality of pull-up devices; in response to receiving a signal via the back-to-back circuit, actuate a second switch to divert a short-circuit current.

[0055] 19. The method according to any one of the foregoing embodiments further includes:

[0056] Operate the controller, the voltage tracker component, the clamping protection circuit, and the plurality of pull-up devices in accordance with ASIL B.

[0057] 20. A method of assembling an electrical component, the electrical component including a controller, a clamping protection circuit coupled between a voltage tracker component and a plurality of analog inputs, and a plurality of pull-up devices coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamping protection circuit, the method including:

[0058] Connect a back-to-back circuit between the voltage tracker component and the clamping protection circuit to selectively connect the voltage tracker component;

[0059] Connect a first switch of the clamping protection circuit to a second switch of the clamping protection circuit; connect an input terminal of the first switch to the plurality of analog inputs; connect an input terminal of the second switch to an output terminal of the first switch; and connect an output terminal of the second switch to a ground source; wherein the clamping protection circuit controls the first switch to isolate the plurality of pull-up devices from the controller, and the back-to-back circuit controls the second switch to isolate the voltage tracker component from the clamping protection circuit.

[0060] This document describes various examples / embodiments for various devices, systems, and / or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the examples / embodiments described in the specification and illustrated in the figures. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the examples / embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples / embodiments described in this specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples / embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be recognized that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0061] References throughout this specification to "example", "in an example", "according to an example", "various embodiments", "according to an embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "an embodiment", etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example / embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "example", "in an example", "according to an example", "in various embodiments", "according to an embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "an embodiment", etc., in multiple places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Additionally, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples / embodiments. Accordingly, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment / example may be combined, without limitation, in whole or in part with the features, structures, functions, and / or characteristics of one or more other embodiments / examples, so long as such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Further, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] It should be understood that references to a single element are not necessarily so limited, but may include one or more such elements. Any directional references (e.g., positive, negative, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are for identification purposes only to assist the reader in understanding the present disclosure and do not create limitations particularly with respect to the location, orientation, or use of the examples / embodiments.

[0063] References to couplings (e.g., attachments, couplings, connections, etc.) should be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between connections of elements, relative movement between elements, direct connections, indirect connections, fixed connections, movable connections, operative connections, indirect contact, and / or direct contact. Thus, a reference to a coupling does not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected / coupled and in a fixed relationship to each other. Connections of electrical components (if any) may include mechanical connections, electrical connections, wired connections, and / or wireless connections, etc. The use of "for example" and "such as" in this specification should be construed broadly and used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. The use of "and" and "or" should be construed broadly (e.g., as "and / or"). For example and without limitation, the use of "and" does not necessarily require all of the listed elements or features, and the use of "or" is inclusive, unless such a construction is otherwise illogical.

[0064] Although processes, systems, and methods may be described herein in connection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should be understood that these methods may be practiced with steps in a different order, by performing certain steps simultaneously, by additional steps, and / or by omitting some of the described steps.

[0065] All content included in the above description or shown in the drawings should be construed as merely illustrative and non-limiting. Changes may be made in details or structure without departing from the present disclosure.

[0066] It should be understood that controllers, systems, and / or processors as described herein may include conventional processing devices known in the art, and the conventional processing devices may execute pre-programmed instructions stored in an associated memory, all in accordance with the functions described herein. To the extent that the methods described herein are embodied in software, the resulting software may be stored in an associated memory and may also constitute a means for executing these methods. Such a system or processor may also be of a type having ROM, RAM, RAM and ROM, and / or a combination of non-volatile memory and volatile memory, such that any software may be stored and dynamic data and / or signals may also be stored and processed.

[0067] It should be further understood that an article of manufacture in accordance with the present disclosure may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon a computer program for implementing the logic and other functions described herein. The computer program may include code for performing one or more of the methods disclosed herein. Such an embodiment may be configured to be executed via one or more processors (e.g., a plurality of processors) that are integrated into a single system or distributed across a communication network and connected together via the communication network, and the communication network may be wired and / or wireless. The code for implementing one or more of the features described in connection with one or more embodiments may cause a plurality of transistors to change from a first state to a second state when executed by a processor. The particular pattern of change (e.g., which transistors change state and which transistors do not change state) may be determined at least in part by the logic and / or the code.

Claims

1. An electrical component comprising: Controller; a voltage tracker component electrically coupled to the battery; a clamp protection circuit electrically coupled between the voltage tracker component and a plurality of analog inputs; and a plurality of pull-up devices electrically coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamp protection circuit; The clamp protection circuit controls power to the plurality of pull-up devices and provides a low impedance current drain path for a short circuit current from at least one of the plurality of analog inputs.

2. The electrical assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The controller activates and deactivates the plurality of pull-up devices when the voltage tracker component is enabled to limit short circuit current from affecting remaining portions of the plurality of analog inputs.

3. The electrical assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to receive inputs from the plurality of analog inputs when the plurality of pull-up devices electrically coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamp protection circuit are activated via the controller.

4. The electrical assembly according to claim 1, wherein: By deactivating a first pull-up device associated with a first analog input of the plurality of analog inputs, a short circuit current of the first analog input is isolated from the remainder of the plurality of analog inputs.

5. The electrical assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The rest of the plurality of pull-up devices are activated.

6. The electrical assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The clamp protection circuit includes at least one switch operable to route short circuit current to ground for current drainage.

7. The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the plurality of analog inputs is an automotive safety integrity level (ASIL) B input.

8. The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein: The plurality of analog inputs operate as wake-up sources for the controller.

9. The electrical assembly of claim 1 further comprising a back-to-back circuit electrically coupled between the clamp protection circuit and the voltage tracker component, wherein: The back-to-back circuit is electrically coupled such that when the voltage tracker component is in an active state, the back-to-back circuit selectively connects the voltage tracker component with the plurality of analog inputs.

10. The electrical assembly of claim 9, wherein: The clamp protection circuit includes a first switch coupled to at least one of the plurality of pull-up devices and configured to actively clamp in response to receiving a first signal.

11. The electrical assembly of claim 10, wherein: The clamp protection circuit includes a second switch configured to actively clamp in response to receiving a second signal from the back-to-back circuit, and the first switch is electrically coupled to the second switch.

12. The electrical assembly of claim 11, wherein: The second switch is electrically coupled to ground to provide the low impedance current drain path.

13. A method of operating an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly comprising a controller, a clamp protection circuit coupled between a voltage tracker component and a plurality of analog inputs, and a plurality of pull-up devices coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamp protection circuit, the method comprising: monitoring current from the plurality of analog inputs; and In response to detecting a short circuit current from a first analog input of the plurality of analog inputs via the clamp protection circuit: A first signal is provided to deactivate a first one of the plurality of pull-up devices associated with the first one of the plurality of analog inputs to thereby limit the first analog input from interfering with a remainder of the plurality of analog inputs to be received by the controller.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: selectively connecting the voltage tracker component to the clamp protection circuit via a back-to-back circuit; Wherein, the back-to-back circuit is coupled between the clamp protection circuit and the voltage tracker component.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The first signal is generated via the controller.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The first signal is generated via the clamp protection circuit.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The voltage tracker component is selectively connected to the plurality of analog inputs via a back-to-back circuit when the voltage tracker component is enabled.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: actuating a first switch of the clamp protection circuit via the first signal to selectively connect the plurality of analog inputs to the plurality of pull-up devices; In response to receiving a signal via the back-to-back circuit, the second switch is actuated to divert the short circuit current.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The controller, the voltage tracker component, the clamp protection circuit, and the plurality of pull-up devices are operated in compliance with ASIL B.

20. A method of assembling an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly comprising a controller, a clamp protection circuit coupled between a voltage tracker component and a plurality of analog inputs, and a plurality of pull-up devices coupled between the plurality of analog inputs and the clamp protection circuit, the method comprising: connecting a back-to-back circuit between the voltage tracker component and the clamp protection circuit to selectively connect the voltage tracker component; connecting a first switch of the clamp protection circuit to a second switch of the clamp protection circuit; connecting an input of the first switch to the plurality of analog inputs; connecting the input terminal of the second switch to the output terminal of the first switch; and connecting the output terminal of the second switch to a ground source; and The clamp protection circuit controls the first switch to isolate the plurality of pull-up devices from the controller, and the back-to-back circuit controls the second switch to isolate the voltage tracker component from the clamp protection circuit.

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