Intelligent power switches for automotive electrical systems

27 August 2003 Power Electronics / Power Management

International Rectifier's IR3310, IR3311 and IR3312 high-side intelligent power switch (IPS) devices have accurate high frequency current sensing and built-in protection circuits for 14 V automotive applications.

The IPS devices help enhance reliability and decrease weight in central switching unit light controllers, intelligent glow-plug controls, auxiliary positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters for HVAC systems, engine cooling fan drivers and interior fan controllers.

In addition to the protection features that are common to automotive drivers, the IR331x family provides accurate current feedback to ±5% at maximum load current over the entire operating temperature range. In pulse width modulated (PWM) controlled applications, the accurate current sensing feature provides the required feedback that enables a microcontroller or ASIC to control the load current. The current feedback bandwidth is 100 kHz, suitable for topologies where a low-side switch provides high frequency PWM, enabling protection and load-current sensing for uni-directional DC motor drive applications.

The current sensing feature enables precise monitoring of load current in order to provide additional data to the microcontroller for diagnostic applications. Typical examples include open-load detection for defective bulbs and lamps or early warning in case of overload conditions.

The IR331x family devices integrate over-temperature and over-current shutdown as well as reverse polarity protection, simplifying wiring harnesses, reducing weight and increasing reliability. In many applications, additional protection devices such as fuses can be eliminated.

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