Independent safety processor for disabling the operation of high power devices

摘要

A drive for delivering a high-power signal to a load includes a power circuit and a drive circuit. The power circuit is operable to provide a high power signal to the load in response to a control signal. The control circuit is operable to generate the control signal for activating the power circuit. The control circuit includes an application processor and a safety circuit. The application processor is operable to generate the control signal during a normal mode of operation. The safety circuit is operable to inhibit the generation of the control signal during a safe-off mode of operation. The safety circuit includes a safety processor independent from the application processor and operable to monitor the safety circuit.