Today, almost all new cars are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and the automotive industry is striving for even greater automation. These safety-critical systems require a reliable and intelligent card network architecture and, in combination with more comfort functionalities, lead to an increasing number of loads.
The E/E architecture also requires reliable and intelligent solutions that protect sensitive loads against overcurrent events and ensure rapid isolation of faults in the power distribution system. To meet these needs, Infineon Technologies has launched the new portfolio of PROFET Load Guard 12V intelligent automotive electrical switches.
The combination of an adjustable overcurrent limitation and capacitive load switching mode (CLS) provides a flexible response to the diverse requirements of modern secondary power distribution and provides protection mechanisms for safety-critical ADAS integration.
The new dual and single channel PROFET Load Guard 12V devices offer a wide current limiting range between 0.3 and 8.7 A depending on R DS(ON) . This feature allows the protection level to be set according to system requirements without involvement of the microcontroller. It also prevents current spikes that endanger loads and provides rapid fault isolation on the power distribution side in case of overload conditions due to load faults (e.g. in the sensor melt box).
Any loads with high capacitive participation — such as ADAS or display modules — can also be switched on quickly using the devices' capacitive load switching (CLS) mode.
CLS mode allows charging of several millifarads while remaining within the safe operating area (SOA) of the high-side smart power switches, increasing the overall robustness of the system. Furthermore, by providing a safety application note, PRO SIL ISO26262 ready devices simplify use in applications related to functional safety. Additionally, best-in-class low current detection accuracy enables accurate module diagnosis and monitoring.
The wide operating voltage range of the PROFET Load Guard 12V family from 3 V (start: 2.7 V) to 28 V, combined with adjustable overcurrent limiting and CLS mode, provides maximum load flexibility. If load or system requirements change (such as variant handling), the analog overcurrent limit can be easily adapted to the new conditions. This is achieved by simply changing the resistor connected to the OCT pin.
In addition to flexibility, this feature also enables hardware-based wire protection for time-independent loads. CLS mode further expands the load potential and responds to the growing number of capacitive loads such as modules.
Rated at 2-3 A, the family consists of two 90 mΩ and two 50 mΩ devices, both available as single and dual channel automotive smart power switches. The proven PG-TS-DSO-14 package offers high compatibility with other SMART7 devices such as the PROFET +2 12V. Loads with high capacitive participation can be easily addressed via the integrated CLS mode, allowing large capacitors to be charged quickly within the safe operating area (SOA) of the PROFET Load Guard 12V.
Improved high current detection accuracy tolerance (kILIS) at low current ranges enables highly accurate current detection.