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Methods and circuits for triode region detection

  • US 8,378,957 B2
  • Filed: 04/28/2008
  • Issued: 02/19/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A detector circuit comprising:

  • a first input configured to couple to a set point terminal of a constant current source, the constant current source comprising;

    a transistor comprising a gate, a source, and a drain; and

    an operational amplifier comprising an inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output;

    wherein the gate is coupled to the output of the operational amplifier, the source is coupled to a drive voltage node, the drain is coupled to a load, and the non-inverting input is coupled to the set point terminal;

    a second input configured to couple to the inverting input of the operational amplifier and the source of the transistor of the constant current source; and

    an output for setting a flag indicating that the transistor is operating in the triode region;

    wherein the detector circuit is configured to compare a difference between the voltage at the first input and the voltage at the second input to a reference condition, the reference condition being based on the triode transition voltage of the transistor at a selected drain-source current, and set the flag at the output when the difference exceeds the reference condition.

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