Stefano Sueri

Modern electronic ignition in VIPower technology

A solid-state integrated driver circuit designed to drive a high-energy coil in a microprocessor-based EMS (engine management system) under the direct guidance of a microcontroller is described. The authors review the principal characteristics of the VIPower (vertical intelligent power) technology and then introduce the VB027, a novel fully protected switch for electronic ignition which directly interfaces with a microprocessor controller. The main characteristics of the VB027 are summarized as follows: the coil current is internally limited; a built-in collector-emitter voltage clamping is present; the input is TTL (transistor transistor logic)/CMOS compatible; and an output diagnostic to the microprocessor for dwell angle control and overtemperature protection is available.<<ETX>>

Smart power transistors for electronic ballasts

A new vertical power IC process was used to design a cost-competitive, three terminal TO-220 power switching device, the VB348, which is optimized for fluorescent ballast applications. This IC comprises a high voltage power bipolar transistor, MOS emitter switch, drive circuitry and protection features (including overtemperature shutdown). The application in a commercial ballast and the problems related to the various parasitic effects are discussed. Overtemperature protection and reduced variation in switching parameters are key advantages.