Bi-directional current measurement circuit that uses a transconductance amplifier to generate a copy current
US6946828B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R19/0092
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A current measurement circuit that measures current passing through two loads. The circuit includes a differential output transconductance amplifier. One current output terminal pf the amplifier receives the current from the first load with the first voltage input terminal coupled to that current output terminal. The second current output terminal provides a current to the second load with the second voltage input terminal coupled to the second current output terminal with the current provided at the second output terminal being approximately equal to the current received at the first current output terminal. The transconductance amplifier provides a copy current on the third current output terminal this is approximately equal to at least one of the other output currents. That copy current is then directly measured, rather than the actual current passing through the loads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.