Integrated circuit, and on-board electrical system comprising an integrated circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to an integrated circuit (140, 240), comprising a first voltage supply pin (141), which is designed such that a first supply voltage having a first supply voltage level is applied to the first voltage supply pin; a second voltage supply pin (142), which is designed such that a second supply voltage having a second supply voltage level is applied to the second voltage supply pin; and at least one integrated functional component (147), which is designed to provide a function of the integrated circuit (140, 240), the functional component (147) having a voltage supply connection (147a), which is designed to supply the functional component (147) with a third supply voltage applied to the voltage supply connection (147a). The integrated circuit (140, 240) also has an integrated star point (143), the first voltage supply pin (141) being electrically conductively connected to the star point (143) via a first integrated current blocking element (145), the second voltage supply pin (142) being electrically conductively connected to the star point (143) via a second integrated current blocking element (146), and the voltage supply connection (147a) being electrically conductively connected to the star point (143).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Integrated circuit and vehicle electrical system with an integrated circuit

[0004] The present invention relates to an integrated circuit and a vehicle electrical system with an integrated circuit.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] For example, vehicles often use dual-voltage electrical systems, which consist of a low-voltage system (voltage less than a permissible touch voltage of 60 V, e.g., 12 V) and a high-voltage system (voltage greater than the permissible touch voltage, usually several hundred volts). The high-voltage and low-voltage systems can be connected by means of a DC-DC converter.

[0007] Components critical to the operation of the vehicle, such as important control units or their integrated circuits, can be redundantly supplied from both vehicle electrical systems, whereby the supply voltage usually corresponds to the low-voltage voltage and one supply connection of the component is connected to both the low-voltage network and the DC-DC converter supplied from the high-voltage network.

[0008] However, this redundant supply also creates a potential source of error, as a possible short circuit of the component's supply connection to ground could, in the worst case, short-circuit both sub-networks and potentially damage them.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention: According to the invention, an integrated circuit and a vehicle electrical system with an integrated circuit, comprising the features of the independent claims, are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] The invention proposes an integrated circuit with two external power supply pins, which are internally connected at a star point within the integrated circuit. By separating the power supply to two distinct connections, a short circuit to ground on one of the two connections can no longer disrupt the other connection and the sub-network connected to it.

[0011] Specifically, an integrated circuit is proposed that has a first power supply pin configured to receive a first supply voltage at a suitable level, and a second power supply pin configured to receive a second supply voltage, also at a suitable level. Both the first and second supply voltages are DC voltages, and the first and second supply voltage levels can be low voltages (i.e., below 60 V), such as a typical 12 V automotive supply voltage. It is understood that the integrated circuit also has at least one ground connection (e.g., a pin), with the supply voltage applied between the first and second power supply pins and the ground connection.

[0012] The integrated circuit further comprises at least one integrated functional component configured to provide a function of the integrated circuit, wherein the functional component has a power supply terminal configured to supply the functional component with a third supply voltage applied to the power supply terminal. In embodiments of the invention, the function provided by the functional component may be a function selected from the group comprising a voltage control function, a voltage monitoring function, a watchdog function, a reset function, a communication function (e.g., bus interface (CAN bus, LIN bus, etc.)), a wake-up function (wake-up logic), and a power driver function. Such functions are particularly common in so-called...System-based chips are provided, which represent a preferred embodiment of the integrated circuit. A system-based chip (SBC) is typically defined as an integrated circuit that combines several functions necessary for the realization of an electronic assembly. SBCs are used, for example, in many automotive control units.

[0013] The integrated circuit further features an integrated neutral point, wherein the first power supply pin is electrically connected to the neutral point via a first integrated blocking element, the second power supply pin is electrically connected to the neutral point via a second integrated blocking element, and the power supply terminal is electrically connected to the neutral point. The function of a blocking element is to conduct current in only one direction and block it in the opposite direction. This is typically achieved by a diode, but can alternatively be implemented by a transistor, a circuit with diode functionality, or similar components. Specifically, the blocking elements prevent current flow from the first power supply pin to the second power supply pin and vice versa.In particular, the first current blocking element can block current flow from the second voltage supply pin to the first voltage supply pin, and the second current blocking element can block current flow from the first voltage supply pin to the second voltage supply pin. In this way, the third supply voltage can be reliably and redundantly generated from the first and second supply voltages. The on-board network according to the invention comprises a first sub-network with a first sub-network voltage level and a second sub-network with a second sub-network voltage level that is higher than the first sub-network voltage level.

[0014] The first sub-system is in particular a low-voltage system (voltage less than a permissible touch voltage of 60 V, e.g. 12 V) and the second sub-system is in particular a high-voltage system (voltage greater than the permissible touch voltage, usually several hundred volts).

[0015] The vehicle electrical system also includes a DC-DC converter, which is connected at one input to the second sub-system and is configured to output a voltage at the first sub-system voltage level, and a proposed integrated circuit. The first power supply pin is connected to the first sub-system, and the second power supply pin is connected to the output of the DC-DC converter.

[0016] This allows an integrated circuit, especially a function-critical integrated circuit such as an SBC, to be supplied redundantly in a vehicle electrical system without negative effects on the different sub-systems.

[0017] The features and advantages explained below apply equally to the integrated circuit and the vehicle electrical system.

[0018] In one embodiment, the integrated circuit further includes a capacitor pin that is electrically connected to the star point. If a buffer capacitor is necessary or advantageous for the operation of the integrated circuit, e.g., for attenuating high-frequency signals, it can be connected to the capacitor pin.

[0019] In one embodiment, the integrated circuit further comprises a first integrated switch located in the electrical connection between the first power supply pin and the star point, and / or a second integrated switch located in the electrical connection between the second power supply pin and the star point. These switches allow the electrical connection to be interrupted (i.e., the switch opens) when necessary, for example, in the event of a fault such as overcurrent or overvoltage. The switch is, in particular, a semiconductor switch such as a MOSFET or IGBT.

[0020] In one embodiment, the integrated circuit further comprises a first integrated current measuring device arranged in the electrical connection of the first voltage supply pin to the star point, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to open the first switch when the first current measuring device detects an overcurrent.

[0021] In one embodiment, the integrated circuit further comprises a second integrated current measuring device which is arranged in the electrical connection of the second voltage supply pin to the star point, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to open the second switch when the second current measuring device detects an overcurrent.

[0022] An overcurrent is defined here as a current exceeding a permissible threshold current. This prevents damaging currents from flowing into the integrated circuit. Furthermore, the circuit components outside the integrated circuit that are causing the overcurrent can be protected from its negative effects by the shutdown.

[0023] In one embodiment, the integrated circuit further comprises a first integrated voltage measuring device which is electrically connected to the first voltage supply pin, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to open the first switch when the first voltage measuring device detects an overvoltage.

[0024] In one embodiment, the integrated circuit further comprises a second integrated voltage measuring device which is electrically connected to the second voltage supply pin, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to open the second switch when the second voltage measuring device detects an overvoltage.

[0025] Overvoltage, in this context, refers to a voltage exceeding a permissible threshold voltage. This prevents damaging voltages at the integrated circuit and any circuits connected to it.

[0026] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0027] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0028] Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle electrical system according to the invention with an embodiment of an integrated circuit according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a vehicle electrical system according to the invention with another embodiment of an integrated circuit according to the invention.

[0031] embodiment(s) of the invention

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic and circuit diagram-like embodiment of a vehicle electrical system according to the invention, and is generally designated by 100.

[0033] The electrical system 100 comprises a first sub-system 110 and a second sub-system 120. The first sub-system 110 is supplied by a battery 111 at a voltage corresponding to the first sub-system voltage level, and the second sub-system 120 is supplied by a second battery 121 at a voltage corresponding to the second sub-system voltage level. The first sub-system voltage level can be a low-voltage level, for example, (nominally) 12 V, and the second sub-system voltage level can be a high-voltage level, for example, 800 V.

[0034] The second battery 121 is connected to a DC voltage converter 130.

[0035] The vehicle electrical system 100 further comprises an embodiment of an integrated circuit 140 according to the invention. The integrated circuit 140 has a first power supply pin 141, which is configured to connect the integrated circuit 140 to a first supply voltage, which in this case is provided from the first sub-vehicle electrical system 110. Furthermore, the integrated circuit 140 has a second supply pin 142, which is configured to supply the integrated circuit 140 with a second supply voltage, which in this case is provided by the DC-DC converter 130. The supply voltage level of the two supply voltages is the same and corresponds in particular to the first sub-vehicle electrical system voltage level, i.e., the low-voltage level of, for example, nominally 12 V. The integrated circuit 140 also has a ground connection 144, which is connected to a reference potential (ground) for the supply voltage level.

[0036] The integrated circuit 140 comprises at least one integrated functional component 147, which is configured to provide a function of the integrated circuit 140. The integrated circuit 147 has a voltage supply terminal 147a, which is configured to supply the functional component 147 with a third supply voltage applied to the voltage supply terminal 147a. The third supply voltage is generated from the first and second supply voltages.

[0037] The integrated circuit 140 further includes an integrated star point 143, wherein the first power supply pin 141 is electrically connected to the star point 143 via a first integrated current blocking element, which is implemented here as a diode 145, the second power supply pin 142 is electrically connected to the star point 143 via a second integrated current blocking element, which is implemented here as a diode 146, and the power supply connection 147a is also electrically connected to the star point 143.

[0038] In this way, the functional component 147 of the integrated circuit 140 can be supplied redundantly and yet safely with the third supply voltage.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a schematic and circuit diagram-like representation of a second embodiment of a vehicle electrical system 200, in which a second embodiment 240 of an integrated circuit is arranged. The following explains only the differences from embodiment 100 according to Figure 1.

[0040] The integrated circuit 240 additionally features a capacitor pin 248, which is also electrically connected to the star point 143. A buffer capacitor 260 is connected to capacitor pin 248, which improves the voltage supply of the functional component 147.

[0041] Furthermore, the integrated circuit includes a first integrated switch 249 and a second integrated switch 251, each located in the electrical connection of the first and second power supply pins 141 and 142, respectively, with the star point 143. These switches allow the star point 143, and thus the functional component 147, to be disconnected from the respective power supply pin 141 or 142, and therefore from the subnetwork connected to it, in the event of a fault.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment 240, for example, a first integrated voltage measuring device 250 and a second integrated voltage measuring device 252 are provided, each electrically connected to the first power supply pin 141 and the second power supply pin 142, respectively, and configured to open the first switch 249 and the second switch 251, respectively, when an overvoltage is detected. This protects the functional component 147 and the integrated circuit 240 from harmful external voltage influences. The switches 249 and 251 are, in particular, semiconductor switches, such as a MOSFET or IGBT.

[0043] With the embodiments described here, the probability of an overload leading to a thermal event (thermal incident) can be reduced, and it can be ensured that the respective voltage source or sub-board voltage network remains available for further functions powered by it.

Claims

Claims 1. Integrated circuit (140, 240), comprising - a first power supply pin (141) which is configured to receive a first supply voltage at a first supply voltage level; - a second power supply pin (142) which is configured to receive a second supply voltage with a second supply voltage level; - at least one integrated functional component (147) configured to provide a function of the integrated circuit (140, 240), wherein the functional component (147) has a power supply terminal (147a) configured to supply the functional component (147) with a third supply voltage applied to the power supply terminal (147a), - an integrated star point (143) wherein the first power supply pin (141) is electrically connected to the star point (143) via a first integrated current blocking element (145), the second power supply pin (142) is electrically connected to the star point (143) via a second integrated current blocking element (146), and the power supply terminal (147a) is electrically connected to the star point (143).

2. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to claim 1, further comprising a capacitor pin (248), wherein the capacitor pin (248) is electrically connected to the star point (143).

3. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first integrated switch (249) arranged in the electrical connection of the first voltage supply pin (141) with the star point (143).

4. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to claim 3, further comprising a first integrated current measuring device arranged in the electrical connection of the first voltage supply pin (141) with the star point (143), wherein the integrated circuit (140, 240) is configured to open the first switch (249) when the first current measuring device detects an overcurrent.

5. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a first integrated voltage measuring device (250) which is electrically conductively connected to the first voltage supply pin (141), wherein the integrated circuit (140, 240) is configured to open the first switch (249) when the first voltage measuring device (250) detects an overvoltage.

6. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second integrated switch (251) arranged in the electrical connection of the second voltage supply pin (142) with the star point (143).

7. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to claim 6, further comprising a second integrated current measuring device arranged in the electrical connection of the second voltage supply pin (142) with the star point (143), wherein the integrated circuit (140, 240) is configured to measure the second to open switch (251) when the second current measuring device detects an overcurrent.

8. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a second integrated voltage measuring device (252) which is electrically conductively connected to the second voltage supply pin (142), wherein the integrated circuit (140, 240) is configured to open the second switch (251) when the second voltage measuring device (252) detects an overvoltage.

9. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the function provided by the functional component (147) is selected from the group comprising a voltage control function, a voltage monitoring function, a watchdog function, a reset function, a communication function, a wake-up function and a power driver function.

10. Integrated circuit (140, 240) according to one of the preceding claims, which is configured as a system-based chip.

11. On-board electrical system (100, 200), comprising - a first partial on-board network (110) with a first partial on-board voltage level, - a second partial on-board network (120) with a second partial on-board voltage level that is higher than the first partial on-board voltage level, - a DC / DC converter (130) which is connected at one input to the second sub-system (120) and is configured to output a voltage at one output at the first sub-system voltage level, and - an integrated circuit (140, 240) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first power supply pin (141) is connected to the first sub-network (110) and the second power supply pin (141) is connected to the The output of the DC-DC converter (130) is connected.

Images