DocID15927 Rev 9 13/21
STGIPS14K60 Smart shutdown function
21
4 Smart shutdown function
The STGIPS14K60 integrates a comparator for fault sensing purposes. The comparator has
an internal voltage reference Vref connected to the inverting input, while the non-inverting
input, available on pin (CIN), can be connected to an external shunt resistor in order to
implement a simple over-current protection function. When the comparator triggers, the
device is set in shutdown state and both its outputs are set to low-level leading the
halfbridge in tri-state. In the common overcurrent protection architectures the comparator
output is usually connected to the shutdown input through a RC network, in order to provide
a mono-stable circuit, which implements a protection time that follows the fault condition.
Our smart shutdown architecture allows to immediately turn-off the output gate driver in
case of overcurrent, the fault signal has a preferential path which directly switches off the
outputs. The time delay between the fault and the outputs turn-off is no more dependent on
the RC values of the external network connected to the shutdown pin. At the same time the
DMOS connected to the open-drain output (pin SD/OD) is turned on by the internal logic
which holds it on until the shutdown voltage is lower than the logic input lower threshold
(Vil). Finally the smart shutdown function provides the possibility to increase the real disable
time without increasing the constant time of the external RC network.