A coil-driving IC having a first output terminal configured connected to a first terminal of a coil and a second output terminal configured connected to a second terminal of the coil is disclosed. The coil-driving IC comprises a first switch connected to the first output terminal; a second switch connected to the second output terminal; a current driving part comprising a first current terminal connected to the first output terminal via the first switch and a second current terminal connected to the second output terminal via the second switch; and a gate driving part controlling the first switch and the second switch so that, when the coil is driven by a current provided from the first current terminal or the second current terminal, the first switch and the second switch are in an ON state, otherwise, the first switch and the second switch are in an OFF state.

A level converter for a vehicle control device, including: a first voltage terminal; a second voltage terminal; at least one output terminal; an input terminal; a first switch for switching a first current path between the first voltage terminal and the at least one output terminal or one of the output terminals; and a second switch for switching a second current path between the second voltage terminal and the at least one output terminal or another of the output terminals; the first and second switches being switchable in response to different levels at the input terminal so that when a first level is present at the input terminal, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, and so that when a second level is present, the first switch is open and the second switch is closed. Also described is a related control device, utility vehicle and method.

A level converter for a vehicle control device, including: a first voltage terminal; a second voltage terminal; at least one output terminal; an input terminal; a first switch for switching a first current path between the first voltage terminal and the at least one output terminal or one of the output terminals; and a second switch for switching a second current path between the second voltage terminal and the at least one output terminal or another of the output terminals; the first and second switches being switchable in response to different levels at the input terminal so that when a first level is present at the input terminal, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, and so that when a second level is present, the first switch is open and the second switch is closed. Also described is a related control device, utility vehicle and method.

This disclosure is directed to systems, circuits, and techniques for controlling a power switch and for executing tristate requests. Controlling a power switch may comprise delivering drive signals from a driver circuit to the power switch to control ON/OFF switching of the power switch, wherein an ON signal causes a charge period followed by an ON period for the power switch and wherein an OFF signal causes a discharge period followed by an OFF period for the power switch; and receiving an external tristate request to place the driver circuit into a tristate. The driver circuit may immediately enter the tristate in response to the tristate request being received during the ON period or the OFF period, whereas the driver circuit may wait for completion of a tristate blanking period prior to entering tristate in response to the tristate request being received during the charge period or the discharge period.

This disclosure is directed to systems, circuits, and techniques for controlling a power switch and for executing tristate requests. Controlling a power switch may comprise delivering drive signals from a driver circuit to the power switch to control ON/OFF switching of the power switch, wherein an ON signal causes a charge period followed by an ON period for the power switch and wherein an OFF signal causes a discharge period followed by an OFF period for the power switch; and receiving an external tristate request to place the driver circuit into a tristate. The driver circuit may immediately enter the tristate in response to the tristate request being received during the ON period or the OFF period, whereas the driver circuit may wait for completion of a tristate blanking period prior to entering tristate in response to the tristate request being received during the charge period or the discharge period.