
Analog Integrated Circuit Device Data
Freescale Semiconductor
18
33291L
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Figure 18. Output OFF Open Load Fault
An Output OFF Open Load Fault is indicates when the
output voltage is less than the Output Threshold Voltage
(V
Thres
) of 0.6 to 0.8 x V
DD
. Since the 33291L outputs function
as switches, during normal operation, each MOSFET output
should either be completely turned ON or OFF. By design,
the threshold voltage was selected to be between the ON and
OFF voltage of the MOSFET. During normal operation, the
ON state V
DS
voltage of the MOSFET is less than the
threshold voltage and the OFF state V
DS
voltage is greater
than the threshold voltage. This design approach affords
using the same threshold comparator for Output Open Load
Detect in the OFF state and Short Circuit Detect in the ON
state. (See
Figure 19
for an understanding of the Short
Circuit Detect circuit.) With V
DD
= 5.0 V, an OFF state output
voltage of less than 3.0 V will be detected as an Output OFF
Open Load Fault while voltages greater than 4.0 V will not be
detected as a fault.
The 33291L has an internal pull-down current source of
50
μ
A, illustrated in
Figure 18
, page
18,
between the
MOSFET drain and ground. This current source prevents the
output from floating up to V
PWR
if there is an open load or
internal wire bond failure. The internal comparator compares
the drain voltage with a reference voltage, V
Thres
(0.6 to 0.8 x
V
DD
). If the output voltage is less than this reference voltage,
the 33291L will declare the condition to be an open load fault.
During output switching, especially with capacitive loads,
a false output OFF Open Load Fault may be triggered. To
prevent this false fault from being reported, an internal fault
filter in the range of 25
μ
s to 100
μ
s is incorporated. The
duration in which a false fault may be reported is a function of
the load impedance (R
L
,C
L
,L
L
), R
DS(ON)
, and C
OUT
of the
MOSFET as well as the supply voltage (V
PWR
). The rising
edge of CS triggers a built-in fault delay timer which must
time out (25
μ
s or 100
μ
s) before the fault comparator is
enabled to detect at faulted threshold. The circuit
automatically returns to normal operation once the condition
causing the Open Load Fault is removed.
SHORTED LOAD FAULT
A short load, or overcurrent fault can be caused by any
output being shorted directly to supply, or an output
experiencing a current greater than the current limit.
There are three safety circuits progressively in operation
during load short conditions providing system protection.
They are as follows:
1. The output current of the device is monitored in an
analog fashion using a SENSEFET approach and
current limited.
2. The output current of the device is sensed by
monitoring the MOSFET drain voltage.
3. The output thermal limit of the device is sensed and
when attained causes only the specific faulted output
to be latched OFF, allowing all remaining outputs to
operate normally.
All three protection mechanisms are incorporated in their
output, affording robust independent output operation.
The analog current limit circuit is always active and
monitors the output drain current. An overcurrent condition
causes the gate control circuitry to reduce the gate-to-source
voltage imposed on the output MOSFET, re-establishing the
load current in compliance with current limit (1.0 A to 3.0 A)
range. The time required for the current limit circuitry to act is
less than 20
μ
s. Therefore, currents higher than 1.0 A to
3.0 A will never be seen for more than 20
μ
s (a typical
duration is 10
μ
s). If the current of an output attempts to
exceed the predetermined limit of 1.0 A to 3.0 A (2.0 A
nominal), the V
DS
voltage will exceed the V
Thres
voltage and
the overcurrent comparator will be tripped as shown in
Figure 19
.
Figure 19. Short Circuit Detect and
Analog Current Limiting Circuit
The status of SFPD determines whether the 33291L will
shut down immediately or continue to operate in an analog
current limited mode until either the short circuit (overcurrent)
condition is removed or thermal shutdown is reached.
V
Thres
2.5 V to 3.5 V
+
Low = Fault
50
μ
A
Output
V
PWR
R
L
33291
MOSFET OFF
V
Thres
2.5 to 3.5 V
+
High = Fault
Output
V
PWR
R
L
33291
+
–
MOSFET ON
Digital
Analog
V
ref