Infineon Technologies introduces the PROFET Load Guard 12V, a new automotive intelligent high-edge switch portfolio

     Today, nearly every new car is equipped with Advanced Driver assistance systems (ADAS), and the automotive industry is working toward a higher level of automation. These safety-critical systems require both a reliable and intelligent board and network architecture, as well as more comfort features, resulting in an increasing number of loads. The E/E architecture therefore requires a reliable and intelligent solution to protect sensitive loads from current overloads and ensure rapid isolation of the distribution system from failures.

     To meet these needs, Infineon Technologies AG introduces the PROFET Load Guard 12V, a new automotive intelligent high-edge switch portfolio. The combination of adjustable overcurrent limit and capacitive load switch (CLS) mode enables flexible response to the various requirements of modern secondary distribution and provides a protection mechanism for safety-critical ADAS integration.

     The new PROFET Load Guard 12V dual and single channel devices offer A wide current limiting range from 0.3 A to 8.7 A, depending ON on-resistance (RDS(ON)). This feature sets the level of protection according to system requirements without the involvement of the microcontroller. Not only does it avoid peak current that endangers the load, it also provides rapid fault isolation for the distribution side in case of overload due to load failures such as sensor fusion boxes. Highly capacitive loads such as ADAS and display modules can also be quickly started using the device's capacitive load switch (CLS) mode.

     The CLS mode allows capacitors of a few millimetres to be charged within the safe working area (SOA) of the smart high-edge switch, thereby improving the robustness of the overall system. In addition, PRO SIL ISO26262-ready devices simplify their use in functional safety-related applications by providing a Safety-Application-Note. In addition, the industry-leading low current detection accuracy enables precise module diagnosis and monitoring.

     The PROFET Load Guard 12V series offers a wide operating voltage range from 3V (2.7V at startup) to 28V, which, combined with adjustable overcurrent limits and CLS mode, offers extreme load flexibility. If the load or system requirements change, such as variable handling, the analog overcurrent limit threshold can be easily adapted to the new conditions by simply changing the resistance connected to the OCT pin. In addition to flexibility, this feature provides hardware-based line protection for time-independent loads. The CLS mode further expands the load potential to respond to an increasing number of capacitive loads, such as modules.

     Rated from 2A to 3A, the series consists of two 90 mΩ and two 50 mΩ devices, both of which can be used as single - and dual-channel automotive intelligent high-side switches. The proven PG-TS-DSO 14 package is highly compatible with other SMART7 devices such as PROFET +2 12V. The integrated CLS mode easily meets loads with a high capacitance share, enabling fast charging of large capacitors within the secure work area (SOA) of the PROFET Load Guard 12V. Industry-leading High Current Detection Accuracy (kILIS) tolerances enable highly accurate current detection in the low current range.

     To support the design process of the PROFET Load Guard 12V device, the product family is integrated into the PROFET Guard tool provided by Infineon's developer community. This tool allows you to evaluate the system protection capability of the PROFET Load Guard 12V device for a given line and load. It can also calculate the correct resistance value for the adjustable overcurrent limit.