Network controls car voltage

It is built by International Rectifier,El Segundo, Calif. (irf.com), and lets engineers adjust the setpoint voltage between 10.7 and 16.0 V using the Local Interconnect Network communications protocol. Controlling slew rate and filtering the interface lines makes the device electromagnetically compatible. It uses thick-film hybrid technology for reliable hightemperature operation (40 to 150°F). Laser-trimmed resistors are set to within 1% of their face value. The regulator consists of a control ASIC attached using flip-chip technology to save space, a discrete low-side power MOSFET, a recirculation diode, and several passive components. Standby current is under 200 A, and it has protection against short circuits and full diagnostics.