Abstract: A temperature-indicating field effect transistor (100) includes a transistor die (101) including a drain (103), a source (105), and a gate (107). A temperature measurement device (109, 111) is thermally coupled to the transistor die (101) and electrically coupled to the gate (107). A transistor package (113) encapsulates the transistor die (101) and the temperature measurement device (109, 111). The transistor package (113) has three externally accessible terminals including a first terminal (115) connected to the drain (103), a second terminal (117) connected to the source (105), and an input terminal (119) coupled to the temperature measurement device (109, 111).

Abstract: A load driver circuit has an output transistor driving the load, with a protective circuit that, when enabled, turns off the output transistor to protect it from high current levels. A delay circuit, which responds to abnormal load conditions after the output transistor has been on for a brief interval, enables the protective circuit to cause turn-off of the output transistor.