Integrated regulator, in particular voltage regulator, and controller for passenger protection means, with configurable output voltage of the controller

Abstract

An integrated regulator, in particular a voltage regulator, for a personal protection arrangement in a vehicle, includes a regulating element that converts an input signal into an output signal having a defined value, and a control application circuit that applies control to the regulating element to generate the output signal having the defined value. The control application circuit outputs the output signal via the regulating element with at least two different selectable values as a function of a specifying signal, such that for selection of the value of the output signal, a configuration circuit receives at least one configuration signal and, as a function of a configuration ascertained in the context of evaluation, selects one of at least two different specifying signals and applies it to the control application circuit to output the output signal having the selected value.

Claims

1. An integrated regulator for a personal protection arrangement in a vehicle, comprising: a regulating element to convert an input signal into an output signal having a defined value; and a control application circuit to control the regulating element to generate the output signal having the defined value; wherein the control application circuit outputs the output signal via the regulating element with at least two different selectable values as a function of a specifying signal, such that for selection of the value of the output signal, a configuration circuit receives at least one configuration signal and, as a function of a configuration ascertained in the context of evaluation, selects one of at least two different specifying signals and applies it to the control application circuit to output the output signal having the selected value, and wherein the at least one configuration signal is generatable using a pin configuration, wherein to generate a first logical signal level for the at least one configuration signal, a corresponding connector pin is fixedly connected to ground, and wherein to generate a second logical signal level for the at least one configuration signal, a corresponding connector pin is left open.

2. The integrated regulator of claim 1, wherein the at least two selectable specifying signals are predefined reference signals or are feedback signals generatable from the output signal.

3. The integrated regulator of claim 2, wherein to generate the output signal having a first value, the configuration circuit selects a first reference signal via a selection circuit and applies it to the control application circuit which, in order to generate a first control application signal for the regulating element, compares the first reference signal with a feedback signal generated from the output signal, and wherein to generate the output signal having a second value, the configuration circuit selects a second reference signal via the selection circuit and applies it to the control application circuit which, in order to generate a second control application signal for the regulating element, compares the second reference signal with the feedback signal generated from the output signal.

4. The integrated regulator of claim 2, wherein to generate the output signal having the first value, the configuration circuit selects a first feedback signal via a selection circuit and applies it to the control application circuit which, in order to generate a first control application signal for the regulating element, compares the first feedback signal with a predefined reference signal, and wherein to generate the output signal having the second value, the configuration circuit selects a second feedback signal via the selection circuit and applies it to the control application circuit which, in order to generate a second control application signal for the regulating element, compares the second feedback signal with the predefined reference signal.

5. The integrated regulator of claim 4, wherein there are at least two integrated voltage dividers having different division ratios which generate the at least two selectable feedback signals from the output signal.

6. The integrated regulator of claim 1, wherein the configuration circuit carries out the identification of the current configuration, and the selection of the specifying signal, during a system initialization.

7. The integrated regulator of claim 1, wherein a pull-up circuit located inside or outside the integrated regulator brings to the second logical signal level a connector pin that has been left open.

8. The integrated regulator of claim 1, wherein the configuration circuit receives and evaluates at least two configuration signals, the configuration circuit evaluating a logical combination of the at least two configuration signals to select the specifying signal.

9. The integrated regulator of claim 8, further comprising: a first configuration signal of the at least two configuration signals is received at a first connector pin, and a second configuration signal of the at least two configuration signals is received at a second connector pin.

10. The integrated regulator of claim 9, wherein the control application circuit is configured to detect an external fault based on the first and second configuration signals received at the first and second connector pins.

11. The integrated regulator of claim 8, wherein the configuration circuit, for a detected logical combination of the at least two configuration signals which is valid, selects a specifying signal associated with the detected logical combination, and for a detected logical combination of the at least two configuration signals which is invalid, prevents output of the output signal.

12. The integrated regulator of claim 11, wherein the detected logical combination of the at least two configuration signals is invalid when the two configuration signals correspond to identical logical states of high or low.

13. The integrated regulator of claim 11, wherein the detected logical combination of the at least two configuration signals is valid when the at least two configuration signals do not correspond to identical logical states of high or low.

14. The integrated regulator of claim 11, wherein the regulator is deactivated upon detection of a logical combination of the at least two configuration signals which is invalid.

15. The integrated regulator of claim 8, wherein the configuration circuit locks the detected logical combination of the at least two configuration signals and stores it in a status memory.

16. The integrated regulator of claim 1, wherein the integrated regulator includes a voltage regulator.

17. A control device for applying control to personal protection arrangement in a vehicle, comprising: a regulator assemblage to regulate at least one voltage in the control device; wherein the regulator assemblage includes at least one integrated regulator for a personal protection arrangement in a vehicle, including: a regulating element to convert an input signal into an output signal having a defined value; and a control application circuit to control the regulating element to generate the output signal having the defined value; wherein the control application circuit outputs the output signal via the regulating element with at least two different selectable values as a function of a specifying signal, such that for selection of the value of the output signal, a configuration circuit receives at least one configuration signal and, as a function of a configuration ascertained in the context of evaluation, selects one of at least two different specifying signals and applies it to the control application circuit to output the output signal having the selected value, and wherein the at least one configuration signal is generatable using a pin configuration, wherein to generate a first logical signal level for the at least one configuration signal, a corresponding connector pin is fixedly connected to ground, and wherein to generate a second logical signal level for the at least one configuration signal, a corresponding connector pin is left open.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a control device for personal protection arrangement having a first exemplifying embodiment of an integrated regulator according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a control device for personal protection arrangement having a second exemplifying embodiment of an integrated regulator according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) Present-day control devices for personal protection arrangement in motor vehicles are notable, inter alia, for the fact that all the supply voltages that are necessary for operation of the personal protection arrangement are generated within the personal protection system itself. It is thereby possible to ensure correct functioning regardless of fluctuations in the battery voltage in the vehicle. The voltage regulators used can be embodied either as linear regulators or as DC/DC switching converters, and make available predefined output voltages to be supplied directly to other personal protection system modules, for example microcontrollers, sensors, communication interfaces, lamp drivers, etc. In present-day personal protection systems, for example, output voltages of 6.7 V, 5.0 V, and 3.3 V are made available.

(4) As is evident from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the examples depicted of an integrated regulator 10, 10′ according to the present invention, which is embodied in the exemplifying embodiments depicted as a voltage regulator for personal protection arrangement in a vehicle, encompass a regulating element T that converts an input signal V.sub.in into an output signal V.sub.out having a defined value, and a control application circuit 12, 12′ that applies control to regulating element T in order to generate the output signal V.sub.out having the defined value.

(5) According to the present invention, control application circuit 12, 12′ outputs output signal V.sub.out via regulating element T with at least two different selectable values V1, V2 as a function of a specifying signal V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2, V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2; in order to select the value V1, V2 of output signal V.sub.out, a configuration circuit 14 receives and evaluates at least one configuration signal CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2, and as a function of a configuration ascertained in the context of the evaluation selects one of at least two different specifying signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2, V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 and applies it to control application circuit 12, 12′ in order to output the output signal V.sub.out having the selected value V1, V2.

(6) As is further evident from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the at least two selectable specifying signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2, V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 can be predefined reference signals V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 or feedback signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2 generatable from the output signal V.sub.out. In order to regulate or convert the input signal V.sub.in into the output signal V.sub.out, control application circuit 12, 12′ respectively compares a feedback signal V.sub.FB generated from the output signal V.sub.out with a defined reference signal V.sub.ref. Different control application signals for regulating element T, for the output of output signals V.sub.out having different selectable values V1, V2, can therefore be generated by specifying different predefined reference signals V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 or by specifying different feedback signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2.

(7) As is further evident from FIG. 1, at least two feedback signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2, outputtable to control application circuit 12, for generating at least two output signals V.sub.out having different values V1, V2, can be provided, in which context configuration circuit 14 receives and evaluates at least one configuration signal CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2, and as a function of the evaluation selects one of the at least two feedback signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2 for output to control application circuit 12. In the exemplifying embodiment depicted, two voltage dividers 18a, 18b integrated into regulator 10 generate the at least two selectable feedback signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2 from the output signal V.sub.out. The two integrated voltage dividers 18a, 18b each encompass two resistors R1, R11, R2, R21 whose resistance values are selected so that the two integrated voltage dividers 18a, 18b exhibit different respective division ratios R1/R11 and R2/R21 for generating the feedback signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2.

(8) As is further evident from FIG. 1, in order to generate the output signal V.sub.out having a first value V1, configuration circuit 14 selects a first feedback signal V.sub.FB1 via selection circuit 18, which applies the selected first feedback signal V.sub.FB1 to control application circuit 12. In order to generate a first control application signal for regulating element T, control application circuit 12 compares the first feedback signal V.sub.FB1 with a predefined reference signal V.sub.ref. In order to generate the output signal V.sub.out having a second value V2, configuration circuit 14 selects a second feedback signal V.sub.FB2 via selection circuit 18, which applies the selected second feedback signal V.sub.FB2 to control application circuit 12. In order to generate a second control application signal for regulating element T, control application circuit 12 compares the second feedback signal V.sub.FB2 with the predefined reference signal V.sub.ref.

(9) As is further evident from FIG. 2, at least two reference signals V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 outputtable to control application circuit 12′ are provided for generating at least two output signals V.sub.out having different values V1, V2, in which context configuration circuit 14 receives and evaluates at least one configuration signal CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2, and as a function of the evaluation selects one of the at least two reference signals V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 for output to control application circuit 12′.

(10) As is further evident from FIG. 2, in order to generate the output signal V.sub.out having a first value V1, configuration circuit 14 selects a first reference signal V.sub.ref1 via a selection circuit 18′, which applies the selected first reference signal V.sub.ref1 to control application circuit 12′. In order to generate a first control application signal for regulating element T, control application circuit 12′ compares the first reference signal V.sub.ref1 with a feedback signal V.sub.FB generated from output signal V.sub.out. In order to generate the output signal V.sub.out having the second value V2, configuration circuit 14 selects a second reference signal V.sub.ref2 via selection circuit 18′, which applies the selected second reference signal V.sub.ref2 to control application circuit 12′. In order to generate a second control application signal for regulating element T, control application circuit 12′ compares the second reference signal V.sub.ref2 with the feedback signal V.sub.FB generated from the output signal V.sub.out. In the second exemplifying embodiment that is depicted, a voltage divider 18a integrated into regulator 10′ generates, from the output signal V.sub.out, the feedback signal V.sub.FB that is compared with the selected reference signal V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2. The integrated voltage divider 18a encompasses two resistors R1, R11 that exhibit a defined division ratio R1/R11.

(11) As is further evident from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the exemplifying embodiments depicted the integrated regulator 10, 10′ is embodied respectively as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) module, and is part of a regulator assemblage 3, 3′ in a control device 1, 1′ for personal protection arrangement. In the exemplifying embodiments depicted, the integrated regulator 10, 10′ respectively encompasses two configuration pins K1, K2, one input pin at which the input signal V.sub.in is applied, and two output pins for outputting the output signal V.sub.out; provided between the output pins is an external wiring layout 5 that encompasses a polarity protector diode D as well as an inductance L and a capacitance C for signal filtering. Alternatively, however, regulator 10, 10′ can also be integrated into a system ASIC module of a control device 1, 1′ of the personal protection system.

(12) Regulator 10, 10′ implemented as a voltage regulator offers, for example, the possibility of making the output voltage V.sub.out available at the regulator output selectably with a first value V1=1.2 V or with a second value V2=3.3 V. This voltage is selected via the two configuration pins K1, K2. The status of these two configuration pins K1, K2 is either a logical Low level (L) that is implemented by an external short circuit of the corresponding configuration pin K1, K2 to ground GND, or a logical High level (H) that is implemented by an open configuration pin K1, K2. In the exemplifying embodiments depicted, a pull-up circuit 11 disposed respectively inside the integrated regulator 10, 10′ brings to the logical High level (H) a configuration pin K1, K2 that has been left open. Pull-up circuit 11 encompasses, for each of configuration pins K1, K2, a pull-up resistor R.sub.pu1, R.sub.pu2 that is respectively connected at one terminal to the corresponding configuration pin K1, K2 and at the other terminal to a pull-up voltage V.sub.pu whose level corresponds approximately to the logical High level (H). The levels of configuration pins K1, K2, as configuration signals CF.sub.2, CF.sub.2, are read back and evaluated by configuration circuit 14. Detection of the current configuration is accomplished, for example, using at least one respective voltage comparator. When two configuration pins K1, K2 having two configuration signals CF.sub.2, CF.sub.2 are used, four configuration combinations are possible; these are depicted in Table 1:

(13) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 CF.sub.1 CF.sub.2 Configuration L L invalid L H first output voltage H L second output voltage H H invalid

(14) In the exemplifying embodiment depicted, of the four configuration combinations at the two configuration pins K1, K2 only two combinations, for which the two configuration signals CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2 have different logical levels (H) (L), are valid. This ensures that a faulty valid state cannot be achieved as a result of an external short circuit at one of configuration pins K1, K2. The system is thus robust with respect to single faults at configuration pins K1, K2. If a valid configuration combination is detected, configuration circuit 14 then selects, via a selection circuit 18, 18′, the corresponding specifying signal V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2, V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2, which is then applied to control application circuit 12, 12′ in order to generate the control application signal for regulating element T.

(15) If an invalid state, in which the two configuration signals CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2 have the same logical level, is detected, the configurable regulator 10, 10′ according to the present invention, or its voltage supply, can then be deactivated. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a different safety mechanism which ensures that a faulty output voltage is not outputted from regulator 10, 10′. The result in any event is that the connected component, for example a microcontroller, is prevented from being supplied with an incorrect voltage. In addition, the overall system is held in a reset state, i.e. in a “not active” or safe state.

(16) Evaluation of the configuration signals CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2 at configuration pins K1, K2 occurs at the beginning of the initialization phase of the system, as soon as the internal logic circuits of the integrated regulator 10, 10′ according to the present invention are sufficiently powered. This ensures that the regulator configuration is immediately detected correctly, and the output voltage V.sub.out, associated therewith, of the integrated 10, 10′ according to the present invention is immediately set correctly to the desired value V1 or V2 before the system components powered thereby are enabled by the system-wide reset. Fault-free voltage supply to the system is thus ensured. After initial read-in of the configuration signals CF.sub.1, CF.sub.2 at configuration pins K1, K2, the detected configuration is locked so that any further change in pin status has no further influence on regulator 10, 10′. Faulty voltage changes, for example related to EMC, therefore cannot occur during normal operation of control device 1, 1′. In addition, the detected configuration of the configuration pins is stored in a memory arrangement 16 which may be embodied as a register. Memory arrangement 16 can then be read out during operation, for example by a software query. As a result, a configuration that has possibly been incorrectly detected due to multiple faults can be detected, and a fault display can occur.

(17) In alternative embodiments (not depicted) of the integrated regulator 10, 10′ according to the present invention, it is also possible for more than just two output voltages to be set, provided the number of configuration pins and the number of logical states is increased, and a correspondingly greater number of specifying signals V.sub.FB1, V.sub.FB2, V.sub.ref1, V.sub.ref2 is reserved. With three configuration pins, for example, which can each assume two logical states (H/L), it is already possible to define four valid configuration combinations (L-L-H, L-H-L, H-L-L, and H-H-H) for selection, with no reduction in robustness with regard to single faults. The same is true if, in addition to the logical High level and logical Low level, intermediate levels can also be detected using additional voltage comparators.

(18) The detection thresholds at the configuration pins, and the manner in which voltage is delivered, can also be embodied differently from the exemplifying embodiments depicted. The exemplifying embodiments of the regulator 10, 10′ according to the present invention which are depicted each use an integrated pull-up circuit 11 having an internal pull-up voltage V.sub.pu. Alternatively, it is also possible to use an external pull-up circuit, i.e. a pull-up circuit disposed outside the integrated regulator 10, 10′, and a corresponding external pull-up voltage, to generate the High level (H) at an open configuration pin. Different voltage levels for detecting different logical states are likewise possible, for example connecting to ground GND or to different voltage potentials, for example 5.0 V, 3.3 V, etc. Embodiments of the integrated regulator according to the present invention can be embodied, for example, as linear regulators or as DC/DC switching converters.