Smart power switch

Paul Boughton

Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced the industry’s first smart, high-side power switch with programmable current limit.

As automotive systems become more complex, the various loads within the system can each require different profiles during operation. Using the TPS1H100-Q1, designers can drive various loads with advanced flexibility in powertrain, body-electronics safety and driver-information systems where reliability is paramount. For more information and to order samples.

The TPS1H100-Q1 also offers 20% higher current-sense accuracy versus the competition to enable intelligent, real-time diagnosis of its loading conditions. System designers can benefit from the device’s simplicity and flexibility to reduce circuit complexity while advancing their systems.

Key features and benefits of the TPS1H100-Q1:

* Highest-accuracy current sense: 5-mA current-sense accuracy gives designers the ability to leverage sophisticated load-checking to adjust the driving profile, detect system deterioration, locate problem areas, or judge circuit conditions;

* Programmable current limit: The TPS1H100-Q1 is the first to provide adjustable current-limit capability to allow flexible control;

* High-avalanche energy-dissipation capability: A high-voltage avalanche structure eliminates Zener transient voltage suppressors and free-wheel diodes to address voltage surging for inductive load recirculation;

* Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q100-012 Grade A compliance: Guarantees zero failure for lifetime reliability in automotive and industrial environments.

TI’s portfolio of load switches can be used for a variety of applications from power savings to power distribution and power sequencing. These highly-integrated devices reduce overall BOM count and solution size, as well as add additional protection features.

The automotive BCM reference design addresses common design challenges such as load driving, condition diagnostics and fault detection. Designers can use this TI Designs reference design to quickly design door locks; window lifts; seat heaters; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); lamps; and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The TPS1H100EVM evaluation module (EVM) allows customers to evaluate the TPS1H100-Q1 for resistive, capacitive and inductive load layout.