Abstract: An integrated power circuit for driving an inductor load including an integrated current sensor is provided. The integrated circuit includes a power transistor in series with the inductive load for operationally conducting a load current of at least 1 amperes and circuitry for applying a predetermined operational voltage across the power transistor. A sensing transistor having an emitter-base junction area less than 10.sup.-3 times the emitter-base junction area of the power transistor and a base terminal common with the base terminal of the power transistor is included in the integrated circuit as is circuitry for applying a predetermined voltage across the sensing transistor. The integrated circuit further includes circuitry for applying a voltage to the common base terminals to activate both the power and sensing transistors whereby a small current mirroring the load current flows through the sensing transistor. The circuitry also senses the current level of the activated sensing transistor.

Abstract: A stepper motor drive circuit is provided for preventing undesirable cross conduction on complementary winding drivers during switching. The circuit provides a current path from a source through at least one winding about a core in the motor; the path has two branches. There is a first switching device in the first of said branches switchable to conduction or non-conduction through the branch and a second switching device in the second of said branches switchable to conduction or non-conduction through the second branch. Sensing means, operative during the switching of said switching devices, sense the non-conductive state through the branch being turned off. Means responsive to the sensing by said sensing means of the non-conductive state, then switch the switching device in the branch being turned on to conduct current through said branch.