CURRENT MONITORING CIRCUITS AND METHODS

摘要

Various automatic range scaling solutions for smart power switches are provided, to enable current monitoring across a wide dynamic range. In preferred examples, use is made of current sensing transistors. The circuits provide overload protection combined with wide range current measurement.

主权项

1. A current monitoring circuit, comprising:
a main transistor arrangement (10) for connection in series with a load (11); a set of one or more measurement branches (12) in parallel with the main transistor arrangement, the or each measurement branch comprising a series resistor and switch for controlling the connection of the branch into circuit; a gate controller (14) for controlling the switching of the main transistor arrangement and branch switches; and a sense amplifier (16) for measuring a current through the load based on the current flowing through the main transistor arrangement or a branch.