Current sense apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A current sense apparatus comprising:
- an output stage connected between a high voltage and a low voltage for producing a phase output current, a mirror current proportional to the phase output current, and a sense voltage; and
a servo amplifier for converting the mirror current to a current sense signal.
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Abstract
A current sense apparatus and method comprises a common drain DMOSFET and a MOSFET connected in series between a high voltage and a low voltage to serve as an output stage. The DMOSFET produces a phase output current, a mirror current mirrored from the phase output current, and a sense voltage. A servo amplifier is connected with the mirror current and sense voltage to produce a current sense signal. Due to the mirror current from the DMOSFET proportional to the phase output current, the current sense apparatus senses the phase output current in a temperature independent manner.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A current sense apparatus comprising:
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an output stage connected between a high voltage and a low voltage for producing a phase output current, a mirror current proportional to the phase output current, and a sense voltage; and
a servo amplifier for converting the mirror current to a current sense signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A switching mode DC-to-DC converter for generating a converter output voltage, the converter comprising:
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one or more output stages each connected between a high voltage and a low voltage for producing a phase output current, a mirror current proportional to the phase output current, a phase output voltage and a sense voltage;
one or more servo amplifiers each for converting the mirror current to a current sense signal;
a voltage feedback circuit for comparing the converter output voltage with a reference voltage to thereby produce a voltage feedback signal;
one or more current feedback circuits each connected with the current sense signal for producing a current feedback signal; and
a control logic connected with the voltage feedback signal and one or more current feedback signals for producing a control signal to drive the one or more output stages. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A current sense method comprising the steps of:
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producing a phase output current;
mirroring the phase output current for producing a mirror current proportional to the phase output current; and
converting the mirror current to a current sense signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification