CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING CURRENT IN CIRCUITS COMPRISING SENSING ELEMENTS

摘要

A circuit includes a current source having at least first terminal and a second, control terminal. The current source is configured to receive a current control signal at the control terminal and in response thereto generates a first current signal at the first terminal. The current control signal controls a current level of the first current signal. The circuit also includes at least one sensing element responsive to one or more sense parameters and having an input adapted to couple to the first terminal of said current source. The sensing element is configured to receive one or more current signals comprising at least the first current signal and in response thereto generates a sensed output signal at an output thereof. A corresponding method for operating the circuit is also provided.

主权项

1. A circuit, comprising:
a current source having at least a first terminal and a second, control terminal, said current source configured to receive a current control signal at the control terminal and in response thereto generate a first current signal at the first terminal, wherein the current control signal controls a current level of the first current signal; at least one sensing element responsive to one or more sense parameters and having an input adapted to couple to the first terminal of said current source, said sensing element configured to receive one or more current signals comprising at least the first current signal at the input thereof and in response thereto generate a sensed output signal at an output thereof; a gain adjustable circuit having at least a first, input terminal, a second, control terminal, and a third, output terminal, said gain adjustable circuit configured to receive a signal representative of the sensed output signal at the input terminal, a gain control signal at the control terminal, and in response thereto provide a gain adjusted signal having an associated gain level at the output terminal, wherein the gain control signal controls gain of said gain adjustable circuit; and a controller configured to provide at least the current control signal to the control terminal of said current source and the gain control signal to the control terminal of said gain adjustable circuit, wherein in response to an output of said circuit being at or near a first switchpoint corresponding to one or more of the sense parameters being greater than a threshold value, a current level of the current signals received by said sensing element is configured to be increased from a first current level to a second, higher current level of a plurality of current levels and the gain of said gain adjustable circuit is configured to be decreased from a second gain level to a first, lower gain level of a plurality of gain levels, wherein the gain level of the gain adjusted signal remains substantially constant.