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:
Mar. 23, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2008
Amplifier topology and method for connecting to printed circuit board traces used as shunt resistors
Gerald W. Steele, Tucson, AZ (US);
Edward Mullins, Sahuarita, AZ (US);
Gerald W. Steele, Tucson, AZ (US);
Edward Mullins, Sahuarita, AZ (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
An integrated circuit current shunt amplifier (A) includes an amplifier () having a (+) input connected to a first terminal (A) of a shunt resistor (R). An output transistor () has a gate coupled to an output of the amplifier, a source coupled to a (−) input of the amplifier, and a drain coupled to a first terminal of an output resistor (R). A gain resistor (R) is coupled between the (−) input of the amplifier and a second terminal of the shunt resistor. The gain resistor has a temperature coefficient which is essentially the same as that of the shunt resistor. A voltage regulator () can be coupled between the second terminal of the shunt resistor and a low-side supply voltage terminal () of the amplifier. A charge pump () can provide a below-ground voltage on a second terminal of the output resistor. A difference amplifier () coupled to the drain and referenced to the below-ground voltage produces an output voltage (Vout) referenced to ground.