Infineon BSD223P: A Comprehensive Technical Overview and Application Note
The Infineon BSD223P is a highly integrated, protected high-side switch designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern automotive and industrial applications. Combining robust performance with diagnostic intelligence, this Power PROFET™ device is engineered to drive a wide range of resistive, capacitive, and inductive loads with utmost reliability.
Technical Overview
At its core, the BSD223P is built using Infineon's proprietary SMART7 technology. It features a vertical N-channel power MOSFET with an extremely low typical on-state resistance (R_DS(on)) of just 22 mΩ. This low resistance is pivotal in minimizing conduction losses and improving overall system efficiency, which is critical in power-sensitive and thermally constrained environments.
The device operates from a nominal supply voltage range of 5.5 V to 36 V, making it perfectly suited for 12 V and 24 V battery systems commonly found in automotive electronics. It offers a continuous output current capability of up to 11 A, with robust built-in protection features that allow it to handle harsh electrical conditions.
A key strength of the BSD223P is its comprehensive suite of integrated protection and diagnostic functions. These include:
Overload and Short-Circuit Protection: The device actively limits the output current in case of a fault, safeguarding both the switch and the load.
Overvoltage Protection (including load-dump): It can withstand transient voltages, a common occurrence in automotive environments.
Overtemperature Shutdown: The chip temperature is monitored, and the device shuts down if a critical junction temperature is exceeded, restarting automatically upon cooling.
Reverse Battery Protection: Integrated to -40 V, eliminating the need for an external series diode.

Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities: The Status output pin provides valuable feedback on operating conditions, including open-load detection, short to ground, and overtemperature pre-warning, enabling predictive maintenance and system monitoring.
The control is managed through a 3.3 V/5 V logic-compatible input pin, allowing for direct interfacing with microcontrollers without the need for level shifters.
Application Note
The BSD223P excels in driving various automotive loads, serving as an ideal electronic replacement for mechanical relays and fuses.
A primary application is in automotive body control modules (BCMs). Here, the BSD223P is used to control power-hungry loads such as:
Seat Heaters: Its high current handling and overtemperature protection are crucial for this resistive load.
Power Windows and Sunroofs: The device's ability to handle inductive loads and provide stall detection (via current feedback) is essential for motor control.
LED Lighting Modules: It provides efficient and dimmable power control for interior and exterior lighting.
The implementation is straightforward. The IN pin is driven by a microcontroller GPIO. The OUT pin connects directly to the load. The STATUS pin is connected to another microcontroller input to read the diagnostic feedback. A typical application circuit requires only a few external components: a bypass capacitor on the supply pin and a pull-up resistor on the STATUS output.
For optimal performance and reliability, careful PCB layout is advised. Low-ESR ceramic capacitors should be placed as close as possible to the V_{BAT} and GND pins of the device to suppress supply voltage spikes and noise. The PowerPAD™ (exposed thermal pad) on the underside of the package must be soldered to a sufficiently large copper area on the PCB to act as a heatsink, ensuring efficient thermal management during high-current operation.
ICGOOODFIND: The Infineon BSD223P stands out as a robust, intelligent, and highly efficient high-side switch solution. Its exceptional integration of protection features and diagnostic intelligence significantly enhances system reliability, reduces component count, and simplifies design complexity, making it a top-tier choice for demanding automotive and industrial power switching applications.
Keywords: Power PROFET, High-Side Switch, Automotive Grade, Load Diagnostic, Overcurrent Protection.
