Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Short-to-Supply Fault Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional igniters face challenges in protecting power switch elements and control circuits from damage due to abrupt voltage changes during short-to-supply faults, as the existing short-to-supply fault protection circuits are delayed in responding to high voltages, allowing these voltages to be transferred internally and potentially causing damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a semiconductor integrated circuit with a short-to-supply fault protection circuit comprising a first step-down circuit and a second step-down circuit, which step down high voltages to usable power supply and gate voltages for the control circuit and power switch element respectively, ensuring timely protection against both short-to-supply faults and surge voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional short-to-supply fault protection circuit is used, then the circuit can detect high voltage, but the response is delayed allowing high voltage to be transferred internally causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit is divided into two independent step-down circuits: a first step-down circuit connected to the power supply terminal for generating power supply voltage, and a second step-down circuit connected to the gate terminal for generating gate voltage. Both circuits operate independently and simultaneously to provide immediate protection without detection delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The step-down circuits continuously step down the input voltage from the power supply terminal and gate terminal respectively, preparing protected voltage levels in advance. When a short-to-supply fault occurs, the protection is already in place because the voltage has been continuously stepped down, eliminating detection and response delays.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a Zener diode protection circuit is used, then surge voltage can be absorbed, but the voltage change is abrupt and cannot be controlled by the short-to-supply fault protection circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The Zener diode protection circuit is positioned as an intermediary component between the external environment and the step-down circuits. It absorbs surge voltages before they reach the internal circuits, while the step-down circuits provide additional voltage stabilization, creating a multi-layered protection system that combines surge absorption with voltage control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively prevents damage to the power switch element and control circuit by rapidly stepping down high voltages, ensuring the igniter operates safely and reliably even under fault conditions, and absorbs surge voltages without transferring them internally.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic discharge protection device connected between an input terminal to which an input voltage is applied, and the power switch element and the control circuit, for protecting the power switch element and the control circuit from being damaged by an electrostatic discharge
Implementation Method 2
a first step-down circuit that is disposed between the input terminal and the control circuit, and which, upon detecting the high voltage, steps down the high voltage to a first voltage to use as a power supply voltage for the control circuit
Implementation Method 3
a second step-down circuit that is disposed between the input terminal and a gate of the power switch element, and which, upon detecting the high voltage, steps down the high voltage to a second voltage to use as a gate voltage for the power switch element
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit including a power switch element, a control circuit connected to the power switch element, an electrostatic discharge protection device connected to an input terminal to which an input voltage is applied, for protecting the power switch element and the control circuit from being damaged by an electrostatic discharge, and a short-to-supply fault protection circuit connected to the electrostatic discharge protection device, for protecting the power switch element and the control circuit from being damaged by a high voltage. The short-to-supply fault protection circuit includes a first step-down circuit disposed between the input terminal and the control circuit, and a second step-down circuit disposed between the input terminal and a gate of the power switch element. Each of the first and second step-down circuits, upon detecting the high voltage, steps down the high voltage for the control circuit or the power switch element.