Intelligent power devices provide standalone protection
Believed to be the industry’s first intelligent power devices (IPDs) to enable standalone system protection, the BV2Hx045EFU-C is a family of high voltage (41V) dual channel output high side switch IPDs from Rohm Semiconductor. The IPDs are optimised for automotive ECUs in transmission control, engine control, and other vehicle systems.
IPDs protect electronic circuits from breakdown (i.e. due to overcurrent during abnormalities). Unlike conventional fuses, these semiconductor fuses can protect circuits without degrading or breaking down, making it possible to achieve maintenance-free systems, says Rohm.
As electrification has progressed, the concept of functional safety to minimise risk and severity of accidents typically use fuses as a countermeasure to protect systems from overcurrent in the event of engine control unit (ECU) malfunction. The rise of issues related to maintenance and degradation caused by ageing when the fuse melts, has led to increased adoption of IPDs.
According to Rohm, the BV2Hx045EFU-C have a distinctive over-current protection function. Conventional IPDs only protect against inrush current at start up. This requires microcontroller over-current detection ICs to protect steady-state currents. There is still, however, the possibility compatibility issues with subsequent circuits connected to the IPD output. The BV2Hx045EFU-C can protect the system against both inrush and steady state over-current, ensuring greater system safety with increased reliability with fewer parts compared to conventional products. In addition, the over-current protection range can be adjusted with external components for compatibility.
This method makes it possible to eliminate up to seven external parts compared to conventional solutions, decreasing mounting area by as much as 70 per cent, reports Rohm.
The IPDs are available now for use in ECUs, transmission control units, idle-stop control units, automotive lamps, hydraulic suspension control units and anti-lock braking systems.
The semiconductor switches do not generate sound during switching, so they can be used for a wide variety of relay (circuit switching) applications, adds Rohm.
