A low power temperature detection method, system, and apparatus sense when a temperature threshold is reached by connecting a current conveyor (111) with a startup bias circuit (112) having a first FET (P1) (connected to level shift a reference voltage to provide an input voltage V.sub.S1), a first diode-connected BJT (Q0) (connected to generate a base-emitter voltage based on the junction temperature), and a second FET (P2) (connected to level shift the base-emitter voltage), where the startup bias circuit (112) selectively connects the current conveyor (111) to ground to form a closed loop that is activated only when an emitter current at the first diode-connected BJT (Q0) enters a self-turned-on operation region, thereby activating the current conveyor to detect a temperature threshold being reached by the device junction temperature.

Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate a fault triggered diode emulation mode of a transistor. An example apparatus includes a driver to output a control signal to a gate terminal of a transistor of a power converter; and a diode emulation control circuit to, in response to determining a fault corresponding to the transistor, enable the transistor when current flows in a direction from a source terminal of the transistor to a drain terminal of the transistor.

A power supply control device controls a supply of power by switching a FET on or off. A current that rises when a current flowing through the FET rises flows through a resistor circuit. A drive circuit makes a notification when a voltage across both ends of the resistor circuit reaches a voltage greater than or equal to a reference voltage. A microcomputer instructs an application circuit to apply a voltage to the resistor circuit. As a result, the application circuit applies a voltage greater than or equal to the reference voltage to the resistor circuit. After instructing the application circuit to stop applying the voltage to the resistor circuit, the microcomputer determines whether or not the drive circuit is making the notification.

A power supply device is provided. The power supply device includes a first switch element for selectively providing an alternating current (AC) power source to an actuation device, a second switch element for selectively providing the AC power source to the first switch element, a detection circuit for confirming whether or not the first switch element is in a full turn-on state, by comparing an input power source and an output power source of the first switch element, a sensor for sensing the size of the AC power source, and a controller for selectively controlling the operation of the second switch element on the basis of the sensed size of the AC power source and the confirmed full turn-on state.

A power supply device is provided. The power supply device includes a first switch element for selectively providing an alternating current (AC) power source to an actuation device, a second switch element for selectively providing the AC power source to the first switch element, a detection circuit for confirming whether or not the first switch element is in a full turn-on state, by comparing an input power source and an output power source of the first switch element, a sensor for sensing the size of the AC power source, and a controller for selectively controlling the operation of the second switch element on the basis of the sensed size of the AC power source and the confirmed full turn-on state.

A solid state switch (SSS) monitoring system of an electronic device includes a SSS sensing component that is electrically coupled to a solid state switch. The SSS sensing component generates a switch state signal to indicate a corresponding one of an actuated and an unactuated state of the solid state switch. A controller is communicatively coupled to the SSS sensing component. The controller restarts the SSS sensing component in response to determining that the SSS sensing component is in an inoperative state.

A method for protecting a system including a driver integrated circuit includes receiving a driver input signal. The method includes driving an output signal externally to the driver integrated circuit. The output signal is driven based on the driver input signal and an indication of a delay between receipt of an edge of the driver input signal and arrival of a corresponding edge of the output signal at an output node coupled to a terminal of the driver integrated circuit.

A front-end device for monitoring operation of an associated electric power device with semiconductor power switches generating a power output, e.g. a three-phase power output. The front-end device has input terminals arranged for connection to the electric phase(s) of the power output of the associated electric power device, and an electric circuit connected to the input terminals and connected to at set of output terminals. The electric circuit has a passive interconnection comprising electric semiconductor switches and diodes. The electric circuit serves to electrically block any high voltage component from the input terminals from reaching the output terminals, while allowing an on-state voltage of at least one semiconductor power switch in the associated electric power device to pass to the at least two output terminals. The front-end allows low voltage equipment to be connected to its output terminals for determining an on-state voltage of switches of the electric power device. Especially, embodiments with self-powered reference voltage circuits provided by zener diodes allow compact low cost versions for use in e.g. portable test equipment or as part of permanently installed health condition monitoring of power devices. The front-end device can be used as a simple and low cost solution for non-invasive health condition monitoring of power devices, e.g. power converters in such as power electric generation system or electric vehicles. Such monitoring allows predictive maintenance to be performed to avoid any faults in the power device that may cause permanent damages.

A switch is provided having a switch transistor as well as a monitoring component to monitor a control signal applied to the switch transistor. With the monitoring component, in some implementation a monitoring of the control signal independent from a load path may be possible.

Switch devices using switch transistors with dual gates are provided. The dual gates may be controlled independently from each other by first and second gate driver circuits.