US 11,867,762 B1
Techniques for measuring voltage over a power switch using zero current detection point
Marcus Nuebling, Olching-Esting (DE); and Michael Krug, Munich (DE)
Assigned to Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg (DE)
Filed by Infineon Technologies AG
Filed on Nov. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/056,873.
Int. Cl. G01R 27/08 (2006.01); G01R 31/327 (2006.01); G01R 19/175 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/3274 (2013.01) [G01R 19/175 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A driver circuit configured to control a power switch, the driver circuit comprising:
an output pin, wherein the driver circuit is configured to deliver drive signals from the output pin to the power switch to control ON/OFF switching of the power switch; and
a detection pin configured to receive a first signal associated with the power switch, wherein the first signal corresponds to a first point in time when current is not passing through the power switch and wherein the first signal indicates a first voltage drop over one or more other circuit elements,
wherein the detection pin is further configured to receive a second signal associated with the power switch, wherein the second signal corresponds to a second point in time when current is passing through the power switch and wherein the second signal indicates a voltage drop over the power switch in combination with a second voltage drop over one or more other circuit elements, and
wherein the driver circuit is configured to determine the voltage drop over the power switch based on a difference between the first signal and the second signal.