With evolving zonal architectures in automotive power distribution system, there is an increase in demand for high-side switch controllers to drive most of the primary and secondary high current loads with external MOSFETs. These system designs include power distribution box and loads such as PTC heaters, body motors, and so on.

One of the key system requirement from car OEMs in 12V automotive systems is to protect the DUT against the reverse battery connection. During maintenance of car battery or jump start of the vehicle, the battery can be connected in reverse polarity during re-installation and this can cause damage to the connected subsystems, circuits, and components. Appropriate protection circuits need to be designed to make sure the DUT is protected and withstand the reverse battery condition. Based on the load type, the reverse battery protection can be implemented either with a back to back power switch or with a forward load switch topology.

This application note highlights how TI's high-side switch controllers such as TPS1211-Q1, TPS1214-Q1 can be used to achieve reverse battery protection for various high current body loads with various circuit configurations.