Split power supply

A power supply circuit for a control circuit of a motor having an armature, comprising:

• a first power supply branch comprising:
• a first resistive element coupled to a first voltage source;
• a first diode operatively coupled between said first resistive element and a reference potential;
• and
• a first junction between said first resistive element and said first diode;
• and
• a second power supply branch comprising:
• a second resistive element coupled to said armature of said motor;
• a capacitive element operatively coupled between said second resistive element and said reference potential;
• and
• a second junction between said second resistive element and said capacitive element, said second junction being operatively coupled to said first junction such that a current provided by said first resistive circuit is combined with a current provided by said second resistive circuit at said second junction, said second junction forming an output port of said power supply for supplying the combined current to said control circuit.

A method of providing power to a control circuit from a power supply having a first power supply branch including a first resistive element and a first diode operatively coupled between a first voltage source and a reference potential, and a second power supply branch including a second resistive element and a capacitor operatively coupled to a second voltage source and the reference potential, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a fixed current along the first power supply branch;
• b) providing a variable current along the second power supply branch;
• c) combining the fixed current to the variable current to generate a supply current;
• and
• d) providing the supply current to the control circuit.