Automatic PWM controlled driver circuit and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load driver circuit, comprising:
- an output transistor configured to drive an automotive lamp load, having a first terminal configured to be coupled to a power supply, a second terminal configured to be coupled to the load, and a control terminal;
a power supply evaluation circuit configured to sense a characteristic of the power supply when coupled thereto, and generate a control signal in response thereto;
a controller circuit configured to drive the output transistor with a pulse width modulation signal coupled to the control terminal, wherein a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal is a function of the control signal of the power supply evaluation circuit; and
an interface configured to communicate between the controller circuit and a central automotive controller.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load driver circuit includes an output transistor configured to drive a load. The circuit further includes a power supply, and a power supply evaluation circuit configured to sense a characteristic of the power supply, and generate a control signal in response thereto. In addition, a controller circuit is provided and is configured to drive the output transistor with a pulse width modulation signal coupled to the control terminal, wherein a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal is a function of the control signal of the power supply evaluation circuit.
19 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A load driver circuit, comprising:
-
an output transistor configured to drive an automotive lamp load, having a first terminal configured to be coupled to a power supply, a second terminal configured to be coupled to the load, and a control terminal; a power supply evaluation circuit configured to sense a characteristic of the power supply when coupled thereto, and generate a control signal in response thereto; a controller circuit configured to drive the output transistor with a pulse width modulation signal coupled to the control terminal, wherein a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal is a function of the control signal of the power supply evaluation circuit; and an interface configured to communicate between the controller circuit and a central automotive controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A pulse width modulation driver system, comprising:
-
a power transistor comprising a first terminal configured to couple to a battery, a second terminal configured to couple to a light bulb, and a control terminal; a battery evaluation circuit configured to monitor a state of the battery, and generate a control signal in response thereto; a controller circuit configured to drive the control terminal of the power transistor with a pulse width modulation signal having a duty cycle that is a function of the control signal of the battery evaluation circuit; and a peripheral interface configured to communicate between the controller circuit and a central automotive microcontroller, wherein the interface is operable to communicate a status of the driver system to the central automotive microcontroller, and to communicate data from the central automotive microcontroller to the controller circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification