Intelligent semiconductor switch with integrated current measurement function

Abstract

A method for current measurement in a switching converter is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the method includes switching a first transistor on and off in accordance with a logic signal, wherein a load current passes through the first transistor while it is switched on. The method further includes providing—by a second transistor—a sense current that is indicative of the load current, wherein the second transistor is coupled to the first transistor so that the first and the second transistors are switched on and off simultaneously. Further, the method includes determining an end of a switch-on phase of the second transistor, and providing a current sense signal that represents the sense current between a first time instant, which corresponds to the determined end of the switch-on phase, and a second time instant, at which the logic signal signals a switch-off of the first transistor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.