Current sensor comprising differential amplifier biased by leakage current
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorDennis W. Hogg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A current sensor is disclosed comprising a differential amplifier including a first node, a second node, and an output. The current sensor further comprises a first resistor having a first end coupled to the first node and a second end for coupling to a transducer, and a second resistor having a first end coupled to the second node and a second end. When the second end of the second resistor is unconnected and the differential amplifier is driven with a supply voltage, the first node is biased by a first leakage current and the second node is biased by a second leakage current such that the output represents a current flowing through the transducer.
Claims21
A current sensor comprising:
- a differential amplifier comprising a first node, a second node, and an output;
- a first resistor having a first end coupled to the first node and a second end for coupling to a transducer;
- and
- a second resistor having a first end coupled to the second node and a second end,
- wherein when the second end of the second resistor is unconnected and the differential amplifier is driven with a supply voltage, the first node is biased by a first leakage current and the second node is biased by a second leakage current such that the output represents a current flowing through the transducer.
A method of sensing current using a differential amplifier, the differential amplifier comprising a first node, a second node, and an output, the method comprising:
- coupling a first end of a first resistor to the first node and a second end of the first resistor to a transducer;
- coupling a first end of a second resistor to the second node and leaving a second end of the second resistor unconnected;
- and
- biasing the first node with a first leakage current and biasing the second node with a second leakage current such that the output represents a current flowing through the transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.