Should smart fets (intedned for switching batteries) be placed under power_management or transistor_smart (inteligent)? about kicad-symbols

[poeschlr]

This is something we can not do anything about until we get to discussing potential changes for the version 6 library. I would keep it but mark it as version 6

[poeschlr]

@SchrodingersGat, @jkriege2, @evanshultz what do you guys think?

[jkriege2]

Hi! from the Infineon page I see that they have them in Power | Smart Low-Side & High-Side Switches ... why not use that? To me that makes sense, so I would put them either into power_management (they are used to manage power-supplies), or into a new lib power_switch (maybe split by low-side/high-side).

I would not expect them in transistors-libs, as they are much more involved than a "simple" discrete transistor. Also they are not simply plugin-replacements for a transistor with all the intelligence hidden, so I would rate them their own lib.

Best,
JAN

[poeschlr]

power_switch is definitely better than power_management. Maybe power_switch_smart to indicate that there is some intelligence build in.

[SchrodingersGat]

Should power-switch also include things like ideal diode controllers? I would imagine so.

[poeschlr]

I don't think ideal diode controllers are similar enough to such smart fets to be thrown into the same lib.
One is intended to replace transistors (plus the transistor driver), whereas the other is meant to replace diodes.

I am not even sure any more that switch is the best name for smart fets. True switches (even transistor switches) allow current flow in both directions. Whereas smart fets (like fets) are designed for the current flowing in one direction.

[SchrodingersGat]

Digikey has such things under Power distribution switches / load drivers

I think it is a good idea to look at how someone like DigiKey organizes them because they categorize components from multiple manufacturers, whereas each manufacturer has their own scheme.

In a general sense, I think that the "purpose" of these devices is for power "distribution" - same goes for ideal diode controllers.

Have a look at the various PMIC_xxx options here - https://www.digikey.com/products/en/integrated-circuits-ics/32

[myfreescalewebpage]

@poeschlr it seems the parts have been added to power_management since you have opened this issue. Do you think now it can be closed ?
Joel

[myfreescalewebpage]

@poeschlr ping ? Thanks.

[myfreescalewebpage]

Done.