Smart Automotive Switch™ (SAS) for Improved Automotive Electronic Control Systems
Inseok Park, Doowon Choe, Hyounghoon Lee, Kang Yoon Lee, Myoungho Sunwoo, Yunkee Lee, Kyoungmin Lee, Hyunmin Cho, Yeongik Yoo · SAE technical papers on CD-ROM/SAE technical paper series · 2008
Electromechanical relays that are coupled with fuses have been used for controlling electrical loads in vehicles. In the past decade, semiconductor power switches have been developed for overcoming the physical limits of relays and fuses. Semiconductor power switches can not only replace relays and fuses but can also improve a system's reliability and efficiency. In this study, we introduce the Smart Automotive Switch (SAS), which is a smart high side power switch of Fairchild Korea semiconductor. Functional capabilities, such as power switching, protection and self-diagnosis of SASs are presented in case studies involving, for example, headlights, glow plugs, and fuel pump control systems. Through these experimental studies, the suitability of SASs is validated for designing improved automotive electronic control systems.