Patent ID: 8810303
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling an array of power switches with slew-rate limit, comprising the following steps: (1) providing an array of HS-NMOS power switches comprising a multitude of switch driver cells each controlling a correspondent power switch, and a charge pump; (2) limiting slew rate of the power switch; (3) deploying only one charge pump for the total array of power switches, wherein the charge pump is isolated from the multitude of switch drivers; and (4) establishing zero current draw from the charge pump in case of a steady state of a power switch; wherein said zero current in steady state is established by steps of: sampling a gate voltage of the power switch when power switch is enabled; turning gate of power switch fully ON; then reducing all currents drawn from the charge pump for the correspondent driver cell to zero; and latch the state of previous step until a control signal goes low and then high again.