System and method for analog control of directional motors and other loads

A system, comprising:

• a directional load capable of operating in a plurality of directions to perform a plurality of functions;
• an input signal generator capable of generating a state-encoded input signal identifying one of the functions;
• and
• a directional load driver capable of identifying the function associated with the state-encoded input signal, generating a plurality of output signals, and providing the output signals to the directional load, the output signals causing the directional load to operate in one of the directions to perform the identified function, wherein the directional load driver includes an input sampling circuit capable of providing an analog sample of the state-encoded input signal and a plurality of comparators capable of comparing the analog sample to a plurality of references, the references defining a plurality of ranges, the ranges associated with a plurality of functions.

A method, comprising:

• receiving a state-encoded input signal identifying a function associated with a directional load over a single wire, the directional load capable of operating in a plurality of directions;
• generating a plurality of output signals associated with the function, wherein generating the plurality of output signals includes providing an analog sample of the state-encoded input signal, comparing the analog sample to a plurality of references, and identifying a range in which the analog sample falls based on the comparisons, the range associated with the function;
• and
• providing the output signals to the directional load, the output signals causing the directional load to operate in one of the directions to perform the function.