Apparatus and method for sensing current in a power transistor
US7015745B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2200/78
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit for regulating a sensed current in a power transistor is provided. The circuit is configured to sense if the drain current of the power transistor has reached a limit current Ilimit. A sense transistor is arranged in an m:1 current mirror relationship with the power transistor. Additionally, a current sink that is coupled to the drain of the sense current is also configured to sink a current approximately equal to Ilimit/m. Further, a comparison circuit is configured to compare the drain voltages of the power and sense transistors. Also, if the drain current of the power transistor is less than Ilimit, a current sink pulls down the drain of the sense transistor, so that the drain voltage of the sense transistor is less than the drain voltage of the power transistor. However, if the level of the drain current of the power transistor reaches Ilimit, then Vds of the sense transistor would reach Vds of the power transistor, and the comparator would trip. Additionally, two switches are arranged to be open when switching currents flowing through the power transistor and sense transistors are each substantially zero. By opening the switches when these switching currents are each…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.