Semiconductor Switch Integrated Sensor Current Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing semiconductor switch systems consume significant power due to frequent wake-ups from idle mode to measure currents, leading to increased overall power consumption, especially in applications like body control modules.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an integrated sensor within the semiconductor switch to actively measure the drain-source current and provide a signal to wake up the microcontroller only when the current reaches a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing unnecessary transitions out of low-current consumption mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the microcontroller frequently wakes up from idle mode to measure current, then current monitoring accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent monitoring accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The enhanced semiconductor switch autonomously monitors current using its integrated sensor and determines when wake-up is necessary based on predetermined conditions, eliminating the need for continuous microcontroller intervention and reducing power consumption while maintaining monitoring accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The semiconductor switch performs preliminary current monitoring and condition evaluation before triggering a wake-up event, ensuring that the microcontroller only activates when necessary, thus balancing measurement accuracy with power efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the semiconductor switch continuously monitors current, then current detection reliability is improved, but system power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous monitoring to periodic monitoring triggered by predetermined current conditions, maintaining detection reliability by activating the microcontroller only when current thresholds are met while significantly reducing overall power consumption during idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the microcontroller remains in active mode to measure current, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach minimizes power consumption by avoiding frequent measurements and allowing the system to decide when to enter low-current consumption mode, thereby reducing overall system current consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated sensor for determining a current that passes the first semiconductor switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical current measurement: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS10256814B2Enhanced semiconductor switch

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

An first embodiment relates to a device comprising: a first semiconductor switch; an integrated sensor for determining a current that passes the first semiconductor switch; and a terminal to which a signal is provided in case the current fulfills a predetermined condition. Also, a system comprising such device, and a method of operation are suggested.