An intelligent power IC with reverse battery protection for high-side solenoid drivers

A highly reliable and fast switching intelligent power IC (IPIC) for high-side switches that uses a junction isolation structure is described. This IPIC provides built-in reverse battery protection, which is essential for automotive power switches, not only in usual 12-V battery systems but also in the 24-V battery systems used in large vehicles. This protection is accomplished by integrating a high voltage MOSFET to avoid parasitic diode action. The other notable feature of this IPIC is that the turn-off time for the inductive load is reduced to two-thirds that of a conventional IPIC. This is achieved by increasing the absolute value of the sustained negative output voltage from -18 V to -34 V. This new IPIC is useful for high-side solenoid drivers frequently used in automotive electronics.