TIMER RESET CIRCUIT FOR OVERCURRENT PROTECTION OF SWITCHING POWER AMPLIFIER
First Claim
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1. A method for allowing a switching circuit which has stopped switching at the output stage of said switching circuit due to an overcurrent condition or overcurrent conditions, to return to normal operation, when said overcurrent condition or overcurrent conditions are no longer satisfied, the method comprising:
- activating a control signal to stop signal switching at said output stage of said switching circuit upon sensing said overcurrent condition or said overcurrent conditions; and
starting a timer circuit upon detecting the activation of said control signal; and
generating a reset signal from said timer circuit after said control signal is activated for a predetermined time period, to deactivate said control signal.
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Abstract
A smart overcurrent protection circuit is introduced. In case of successive current due to certain malfunctions flows in power transistor of a switching circuit a control signal is activated to stop power transistor switching. When overcurrent condition is no longer satisfied, the switching circuit is still able to return to normal operation.
25 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for allowing a switching circuit which has stopped switching at the output stage of said switching circuit due to an overcurrent condition or overcurrent conditions, to return to normal operation, when said overcurrent condition or overcurrent conditions are no longer satisfied, the method comprising:
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activating a control signal to stop signal switching at said output stage of said switching circuit upon sensing said overcurrent condition or said overcurrent conditions; and starting a timer circuit upon detecting the activation of said control signal; and generating a reset signal from said timer circuit after said control signal is activated for a predetermined time period, to deactivate said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12)
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10. An apparatus for allowing a switching circuit, which has stopped switching at the output stage of said switching circuit due to an overcurrent condition or overcurrent conditions, to return to normal operation, when said overcurrent condition or overcurrent conditions are no longer satisfied, the apparatus comprising:
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a SR latch operative to activate a control signal to stop signal switching at said output stage of said switching circuit upon sensing said overcurrent condition or said overcurrent conditions; and a timer circuit operative to activate a reset signal after said control signal is activated for a predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification