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:
Sep. 28, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 27, 2003
Donald T. Wile, San Jose, CA (US);
Pixim, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A current sense amplifier circuit for detecting a first current includes an input gain stage incorporating a feedback loop, a current mirror, a charge integration stage and a comparator. The first current is coupled to an input node of the input gain stage where the input gain stage operates to maintain the voltage at the input node at a substantially constant level. The current mirror is coupled to mirror the first current into a second current. The charge integration stage is coupled to integrate charge associated with the second current to develop a first voltage. The comparator is coupled to compare the first voltage to a reference level and providing an output signal. The comparator generates an output signal having a first value when the first current exceeds a predetermined threshold level and a second value when the first current is less than the predetermined threshold level.