Electronic circuit control element with tap element

A power supply regulator, comprising:

• a power transistor having first, second, third and fourth terminals;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the third and fourth terminals of the power transistor,
• wherein a voltage between the fourth and second terminals is substantially proportional to a current flowing between the first and second terminals when a voltage between the first and second terminals is less than a pinch off voltage, wherein the voltage between the fourth and second terminals is substantially constant and less than the voltage between the first and second terminals when the voltage between the first and second terminals is greater than the pinch off voltage.

A power supply control element, comprising:

• a power transistor having first, second, third and fourth terminals;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the third and fourth terminals of the power transistor,
• wherein a current provided at the fourth terminal of the power transistor is to be drawn from at least one of the first and second terminals of the power transistor to provide power to the control circuit.

A power supply control element, comprising:

• a power transistor having first, second, third and fourth terminals;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the third and fourth terminals of the power transistor,
• wherein a voltage between the fourth and second terminals is substantially proportional to a current flowing between the first and second terminals, the voltage between the fourth and second terminals providing an input signal to a current limit function of the control circuit.

A power supply control element, comprising:

• a power transistor having first, second, third and fourth terminals;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the third and fourth terminals of the power transistor,
• wherein a voltage at the fourth terminal is coupled to provide an input signal to a line sense function of the control circuit.

A high voltage transistor, comprising:

• a drain region of a first conductivity type;
• a source region of the first conductivity type;
• a tap region of the first conductivity type;
• a body region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, the body region adjoining the source region;
• a drift region of the first conductivity type extending from the drain region to the body region;
• a tap drift region of the first conductivity type extending from the drain region to the tap region;
• and
• an insulated gate adjacent the body region.