Automotive current sensor

摘要

A high-amperage current sensor is disclosed which is suitable for use in an automotive electrical system and which is operatively unaffected by changes in ambient temperature. The current sensor utilizes a shunt assembly having at least one low-resistance shunt element connectable in line between a source of electrical energy and a load. Circuitry preferably configured on an application specific integrated circuit measures voltage drop across the shunt element due to current flow. As a result, an output signal is produced which may be fed to external circuitry for further processing. In presently preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise analog circuitry producing an analog output signal and/or digital circuitry producing a digital output signal.