Systems and methods for driving a load under various power conditions

摘要

An electronic circuit for driving an electronic switch includes a first voltage terminal coupled to receive a first voltage from a power supply and a second voltage terminal coupled to receive a second voltage from the power supply. A driver circuit is configured to drive the voltage at a control terminal of the electronic switch to an intermediate voltage level in order to turn on the electronic switch during a high or normal voltage condition. A clamp circuit is configured to clamp the voltage at the control terminal of the electronic switch to the second voltage terminal in order to turn on the electronic switch during a low voltage condition, so that the electronic switch can enhance power provided to a load during the low voltage condition. A low voltage detection circuit detects the low voltage condition and provides a signal to activate the clamp circuit.

主权项

1. An electronic circuit for driving a load, the electronic circuit comprising:
a first voltage terminal coupled to receive a first voltage from a power supply; a second voltage terminal coupled to receive a second voltage from the power supply; a driver circuit comprising a drive transistor coupled in a source-follower or emitter-follower configured to drive a voltage at a control terminal of an electronic switch to an intermediate voltage level in order to turn on the electronic switch during a high voltage condition or a normal voltage condition between the first and second voltage terminals; a clamp circuit comprising a clamp transistor coupled in a common-source or common-emitter configuration configured, when active, to clamp the voltage at the control terminal of the electronic switch to the second voltage terminal in order to turn on the electronic switch during a low voltage condition between the first and second voltage terminals so that the electronic switch can enhance power provided to a load during the low voltage condition; and a low voltage detection circuit in electrical communication with the first voltage terminal and the clamp circuit, the low voltage detection circuit configured to detect the low voltage condition and provide a signal to the clamp circuit that allows the clamp circuit to become active during the low voltage condition.