Load switch having load detection
US9350180B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Conventionally, current detection in load switches is implemented by monitoring the voltage across a small value sense resistor in series with the load switch, where the differential voltage across is applied to a comparator to generate a control signal corresponding to a light load condition, a normal load condition, or an over-load condition. Detecting the light load condition, however, can be difficult to determine using this arrangement due to the low differential voltage. Here, however, a integrated circuit (IC) is provided that employs an internal voltage supply and comparators to examine the load current to determine whether a light load condition is present, which does not suffer from the same problems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.