Semiconductor device having an integrated, self-regulated PWM current and power limiter and method
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- receiving an external activation signal at a semiconductor device;
generating an output power signal at the semiconductor device in response to receiving the activation signal, the output power signal having a duty cycle;
providing the output power signal to an external load, the output power signal providing power to the load, an amount of power provided to the load based on the duty cycle of the output power signal; and
detecting a problem in the semiconductor device based on a measurement of temperature in the semiconductor device; and
in response to detecting the problem, placing the semiconductor device in a self-limiting mode in which at least one of a reduced amount of current and a reduced amount of power is provided to the load.
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Abstract
A method includes receiving an activation signal at a semiconductor device and generating an output power signal at the semiconductor device in response to receiving the activation signal. The output power signal has a duty cycle. The method also includes providing the output power signal to a load. The output power signal provides power to the load. An amount of power provided to the load is based on the duty cycle of the output power signal. In addition, the method includes adjusting the duty cycle of the output power signal using at least one of a current limiter and a power limiter integrated in the semiconductor device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving an external activation signal at a semiconductor device; generating an output power signal at the semiconductor device in response to receiving the activation signal, the output power signal having a duty cycle; providing the output power signal to an external load, the output power signal providing power to the load, an amount of power provided to the load based on the duty cycle of the output power signal; and detecting a problem in the semiconductor device based on a measurement of temperature in the semiconductor device; and in response to detecting the problem, placing the semiconductor device in a self-limiting mode in which at least one of a reduced amount of current and a reduced amount of power is provided to the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A semiconductor device for use with an external power supply, an external load and an external activation signal, the semiconductor device comprising:
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an output power signal generator capable of generating an output power signal, the output power signal having a duty cycle and providing power to the load, an amount of power provided to the load based on the duty cycle of the output power signal; a temperature sensor for measuring temperature within the semiconductor device; a controller capable of causing the output power signal generator to generate the output power signal in response to receiving the activation signal and placing the semiconductor device in a self-limiting mode in which at least one of a reduced amount of current or a reduced amount of power is provided to the load when a measured temperature exceeds a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a power supply capable of providing a supply voltage; and a semiconductor device capable of; generating an output power signal using the supply voltage in response to receipt of an external activation signal, the output power signal having a duty cycle; providing the output power signal to an external load, an amount of power provided to the load based on the duty cycle of the output power signal; detecting a problem in the semiconductor device based on a measurement of temperature in the semiconductor device; and in response to detecting the problem, placing the semiconductor device in a self-limiting mode in which at least one of a reduced amount of current and a reduced amount of power is provided to the load. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification