Inverse current protection circuit sensed with vertical source follower
US9344078B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10D84/856
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A monolithic integrated circuit includes a low-voltage control circuit, a vertical power transistor, and a source follower. The vertical power transistor includes at least a drain. The source follower includes a drain that is coupled to the drain of the vertical power transistor, a gate that is coupled to a limit voltage node, and a source that is coupled to a high impedance node. The source follower is arranged such that a source voltage at the source of the source follower is a voltage-limited version of the drain voltage of the vertical power transistor. The low-voltage control circuit includes a driver and protection circuit that is arranged to detect the source voltage, to drive the vertical power transistor, and to adjust how the vertical power transistor is biased based, at least in part, on the source voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.