Analog current sense circuit
US7176665B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/156
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Circuits and related methods for switched step-down and boost DC-to-DC converters have been achieved. Said DC-to-DC converters comprise an inductor current sensing and limiting circuit to prevent the inductor current to exceed a defined limit. Said current sense circuit is using the voltage on the on-state source-to-drain resistance of a power switch to monitor the inductor current. Said voltage is amplified and serves as input of a regulator. Said regulator, being connected via one or more gate controllers to the gates of said power switches, controls the ON/OFF state of said power switches by pulse-width-modulation. Said power switches are switched ON/OFF if the current exceeds a defined limit. After a defined time period said power switches are switched on again. Gate controllers keep the power switch in an operating region having a stable source-to-drain resistance while said power switch is ON. The ON/OFF duty cycle of said power transistor switches is set in a way that the difference between charge/discharge energy is kept on a minimum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.