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:
Nov. 05, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1997
Ross Elliot Teggatz, Dallas, TX (US);
Joseph Allen Devore, Dallas, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A circuit and method are provided for accurate and adjustable current limiting/sensing in a power IC ( ). In particular, a current limiting/sensing circuit ( ) and method of use are provided that substitutes a transistor (MD ) in place of a resistor. Consequently, all of the components (MD , MD , MD ) in the IC ( ) may be identical transistors, which may be fabricated by one process and integrated in one power structure. Therefore, process variations from device to device and errors due to thermal gradients between components may be minimized, thereby reducing the complexity and fabrication costs of the power ICs. Additionally, a user may readily adjust the trip/sensing point of the current limiting circuit ( ) without having to physically alter individual components in the IC ( ).