The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 2026
Filed:
Feb. 13, 2026
Apogee Semiconductor, Inc., Plano, TX (US);
Brett E. Smith, Fayette, IA (US);
Apogee Semiconductor, Inc., Plano, TX (US);
Abstract
A load switch with a soft start feature operates an MOS power device as a current source having a limited current capability. During a soft start ramp period, the power device is driven under feedback control such that a gradually-increasing servo current through a reference device of the same type and driven by the same gate drive voltage follows a ramp signal. The ramp signal may be generated using a current source to charge a soft start capacitor. Substantially matched load switches connected in parallel, each incorporating such a ramp generator, may share a single soft start capacitor to synchronize their ramp signals and balance power dissipation during soft start as well as during continuous operation. Load switch integrated circuits and coordinated systems of load switches are also provided, as are methods of performing soft start and coordinating the soft start of a system of load switches.