Diagnostics and control for power electronics

Infineon's Smart 5 switch helps engineers meet requirements for high current-carrying capacity and expanded integrated-logic functions.

Improvements in automotive electronics have impacted safety, comfort, and emissions tremendously. However, the continuous increase of electronic equipment volume and complexity in cars challenges quality, post-sales customer support, and maintenance. To meet this challenge, engineers at Infineon Technologies AG are developing automotive power switches that feature greater integrated intelligence for power system protection, control, and diagnostic functions.

In 1990, Infineon (then, Siemens Semiconductor) began with smart, high-side switches. Since then, this type of switch has become established as a standard worldwide. In addition to these monolithic integrated devices, the firm builds devices in chip-on-chip technology. The combination of a smart top chip with a standard metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) provides a low-resistance and cost-effective smart power switch.