On-chip port current control arrangement

An on-chip port current control arrangement, comprising:

• a means for generating a reference current;
• an on-chip reference means for providing electrical resistance, an end of said on-chip reference means for providing electrical resistance coupled to said means for generating the reference current, said generated reference current arranged to produce a reference voltage across said on-chip reference means for providing electrical resistance;
• an on-chip sense means for providing electrical resistance, a port current arranged to flow through said on-chip sense means for providing electrical resistance and produce a sense voltage across said on-chip sense means for providing electrical resistance;
• and
• a means for controlling current, a first input of said means for controlling current arranged to receive said produced reference voltage and a second input of said means for controlling current arranged to receive said sense voltage,
• wherein the electrical resistance of said on-chip sense means for providing electrical resistance exhibits a predetermined relationship with the resistance of said on-chip reference means for providing electrical resistance, and
• wherein said means for controlling current is arranged to limit the port current to a value responsive to the received reference voltage and the received sense voltage.

A method of managing a port current, the method comprising:

• provide an on-chip sense resistor;
• provide an on-chip reference resistor, wherein the resistance of said provided on-chip sense resistor exhibits a predetermined relationship with the resistance of said provided on-chip reference resistor;
• generating a reference current;
• producing a reference voltage across said provided on-chip reference resistor responsive to said generated reference current;
• receiving the port current;
• producing a sense voltage across said provided on-chip sense resistor responsive to the port current;
• and
• limiting the port current to a value responsive to said produced reference voltage and said produced sense voltage.