Patent ID: 6597556
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An integrated circuit, comprising:a power transistor including a base, a collector and an emitter; a circuit arrangement thermally coupled to the power transistor, the circuit arrangement operating in a temperature dependent manner and including a first latching circuit, the first latching circuit including a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal, the first latching circuit activatable via a first temperature sensor, a disconnection of the power transistor being triggerable by a temperature signal from the first temperature sensor when a temperature rises above an upper temperature threshold, the disconnection being deactivated only by a control signal present at the first latching circuit when the temperature falls below the upper temperature threshold; a base terminal connected to the second voltage terminal, a signal present at the base terminal forming the control signal; a collector terminal connected to the collector of the power transistor and the first voltage terminal; and an emitter terminal connected to the first voltage terminal.