IP Library Granted Patent US 8,143,920
Granted Patent B1
US 8,143,920 · App. 13/038,048 · Granted Mar 27, 2012

Current sensor

Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,143,920
App. No.
13/038,048
Granted
Mar 27, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system includes a current sensor to receive an input signal based on a sense current provided to load circuitry. The current sensor is configurable to generate an output signal from the input signal based, at least in part, on one or more configurable characteristics of the current sensor. The system also includes a processing element to compare the output signal from the current sensor to one or more programmable parameters. The processing element is configurable to direct a current controller to regulate the sense current provided to the load circuitry according to the comparison, and is further configurable to set a configurable parameter associated with the current sense amplifier.

Claims (38)

1. A system comprising:

a current sensor to receive an input signal based on a sense current provided to load circuitry, and to generate an output signal from the input signal based, at least in part, on one or more configurable characteristics of the current sensor; and

a processing element to compare the output signal from the current sensor to one or more programmable parameters, wherein the processing element is configurable to direct a current controller to regulate the sense current provided to the load circuitry according to the comparison, and is further configured to set a configurable parameter associated with the current sensor, and wherein the current sensor is configurable to generate the output signal by amplifying the input signal according to an adjustable gain.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processing element is configurable to set an input signal offset associated with the current sensor, and wherein the current sensor is configurable to generate the output signal by amplifying the input signal according to the input signal offset.

3. A system comprising:

a current sensor to receive an input signal based on a sense current provided to load circuitry, and to generate an output signal from the input signal based, at least in part, on one or more configurable characteristics of the current sensor; and

a processing element to compare the output signal from the current sensor to one or more programmable parameters, wherein the processing element is configurable to direct a current controller to regulate the sense current provided to the load circuitry according to the comparison, and is further configured to set a configurable parameter associated with the current sensor, and wherein the processing element includes an upper threshold and a lower threshold that, at least in part, dictate an operational frequency associated with the sense current.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the processing element is configurable to compare the output signal to the upper threshold and directs the current controller to cease driving the sense current when the output signal meets or exceeds the upper threshold.

5. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal based on a sense current provided to load circuitry;

generating an output signal from the input signal based, at least in part, on one or more configurable characteristics of a current sensor;

comparing the output signal from the current sensor to one or more programmable parameters;

regulating the sense current provided to the load circuitry according to the comparing;

setting a configurable parameter associated with the current sensor; and

amplifying the input signal according to an adjustable gain to generate the output signal.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

setting an input signal offset associated with the current sensor; and

amplifying the input signal according to the input signal offset to generate the output signal.

7. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal based on a sense current provided to load circuitry;

generating an output signal from the input signal based, at least in part, on one or more configurable characteristics of a current sensor;

comparing the output signal from the current sensor to one or more programmable parameters;

regulating the sense current provided to the load circuitry according to the comparing;

setting a configurable parameter associated with the current sensor; and

dictating an operational frequency associated with the sense current based, at least in part, on an upper threshold and a lower threshold.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a first amplification circuit to receive an input signal that corresponds to a current flowing through a sense resistor to load circuitry, the first amplification circuit to amplify the input signal according to one or more adjustable characteristics that are configurable by a processing element; and

a second amplification circuit to generate an output signal by amplifying the input signal from the first amplification circuit according to one or more adjustable characteristics that are configurable by the processing element, wherein the processing element utilizes the output signal to regulate current provided to the load circuitry.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first amplification circuit includes at least one of an adjustable gain characteristic or an adjustable input offset characteristic, and wherein the first amplification circuit is configurable to amplify the input signal according to at least one of the adjustable gain characteristic or the adjustable input offset characteristic as configured by the processing element.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second amplification circuit includes at least one of an adjustable gain characteristic or an adjustable input offset characteristic, and wherein the first amplification circuit is configurable to amplify the input signal according to at least one of the adjustable gain characteristic or the adjustable input offset characteristic as configured by the processing element.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second amplification circuit includes a bandwidth adjustment device to dampen effects of power supply noise associated with the input signal from propagating to the output signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising bypass circuitry to provide the amplified input signal from the first amplification circuit as the output signal.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input signal is an input voltage, wherein the output signal is an output voltage, and wherein the one or more programmable parameters comprises a programmable threshold.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processing element is a microcontroller.

15. The method of claim 5 , wherein the input signal is an input voltage, and wherein the output signal is an output voltage.

16. The method of claim 5 , wherein the one or more programmable parameters comprises a programmable threshold.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the input signal is an input voltage, and wherein the output signal is an output voltage, and wherein the one or more programmable parameters comprises a programmable threshold.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the processing element is a microcontroller.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2016
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: MONTEREY RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 040911/0238 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 11, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 039708/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2014
From: MATTOS, DERWIN W
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034566/0780 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 12238383 · Sep 25, 2008