Abstract: A method and apparatus for low-power sensing and processing are provided. A method preferably includes collecting a plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensors include sensed data representative of at least shock and vibration. The method also includes converting the plurality of sensor signals into digital data, processing the digital data, generating a data communications protocol for communicating the digital data, and simultaneously and remotely detecting the generated communications protocol having the processed data to determined the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition. An apparatus preferably includes a low-power, data acquisition processing circuit responsive to a plurality of sensor signals representative of at least shock and vibration for acquiring and processing the sensed data.

Abstract: Relatively low currents are monitored through an integrated DMOS power transistor in a low-side driver configuration. A feedback circuit is responsive to the voltage applied to a gate of the DMOS power transistor to limit the minimum value to which the drain-source voltage may drop to keep it sufficiently high, and to allow a reliable monitoring of the current through the power transistor, even at relatively low levels. This is performed by increasing the conduction resistance of the power transistor at low current levels.