Over-voltage protection circuit for a drive transistor

A method, comprising:

• applying a drive signal to a control terminal of a drive transistor including a conduction terminal configured for connection to a load circuit;
• sensing a voltage across the first and second conduction terminals;
• comparing the sensed voltage to voltage threshold;
• generating a signal indicative of an over-voltage condition in response to said comparing;
• and
• generating said drive signal in response to a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal,
• wherein generating further comprises forcing said drive transistor to turn on in response to said signal indicative of the over-voltage condition irrespective of the PWM signal.

A circuit, comprising:

• a drive transistor having a control terminal configured to receive a drive signal and having a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal, wherein said first conduction terminal is configured for connection to a load circuit;
• a sense circuit configured to sense a voltage across the first and second conduction terminals;
• a comparator circuit configured to compare the sensed voltage to voltage threshold and generate a signal indicative of an over-voltage condition;
• a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator configured to generate a PWM signal;
• and
• a drive circuit configured to generate said drive signal in response to said PWM signal if the signal indicative of an over-voltage condition is not asserted and otherwise force said drive transistor to turn on if the signal indicative of the over-voltage condition is asserted.