A 60 V-10 A intelligent power switch using standard cells

A small, low-cost IPS (intelligent power switch) for use in automotive multiplexed systems is described. The chip integrates a 30-mΩ power device with a comprehensive set of protection functions using a mixed-voltage standard cell methodology and only 11 mask layers. By combining a high-density VDMOS-based power IC technology with a unique mixed-voltage cell layout methodology, a standard cell solution to the IPS has been realized in an area that is less than half of what is typically required. This IPS provides a wide range of important protection functions that include current limiting, short-circuit protection, thermal shutdown, and reverse battery protection. Restricting the number of mask layers to 11 makes this technology ideally suited for low-cost application-specific automotive applications