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:
Jun. 03, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 25, 2012
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Timothy B. Merkin, Richardson, TX (US);
Susan A. Curtis, Sherman, TX (US);
Harish Venkataraman, Wylie, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
Circuitry (-) for limiting the maximum amount of current (I) flowing through a first electrode (DRAIN) of a first transistor (T) includes an amplifier () having an output coupled by a conductor () to a control electrode of the first transistor and limiting circuitry () including reference current sensing circuitry (,T) having a reference current source (I). A reference current sensing transistor (T) has a control electrode coupled to the control electrode of the first transistor, a first electrode coupled to a terminal () of the reference current source, and a second electrode (SOURCE) coupled to a second electrode of the first transistor. A buffer (T) has an input coupled to the terminal of the reference current source. The maximum amount is limited in accordance with the reference current source to prevent an increase in magnitude of voltage applied by the amplifier to the first transistor.