Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprising a current-sensing circuit having a power transistor and an amplifier. The current-sensing circuit is coupled to (i) sense a current supplied to a load by a voltage source through an inductor and (ii) generate an inductor-current signal based on the sensed current. The current-sensing circuit includes: a power transistor and a sensing transistor, both coupled to receive an input voltage from the voltage source. The error amplifier has first and second input nodes and an output node. The first input node receives (i) a first voltage through the power transistor and (ii) a first current from a first biasing-current source. The second input node receives (i) a second voltage through the sensing transistor and (ii) a second current from a second biasing-current source. The inductor-current signal is generated based on at least one of the first and second voltages, and the output node has a voltage that varies with the inductor-current signal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate an output signal in response to a differential input signal, a first power supply and a ground. The output signal may have a rail-to-rail voltage with a magnitude between the first power supply and the ground. The first circuit may also be configured to source an intermediate differential signal in response to the differential input signal, the first power supply and ground. The second circuit may be configured to sink the differential intermediate signal in response to the differential input signal, the first power supply, ground and a second power supply. The second circuit may flatten the transconductance of the first circuit relative to a common mode voltage of the differential input signal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate an output signal in response to a differential input signal, a first power supply and a ground. The output signal may have a rail-to-rail voltage with a magnitude between the first power supply and the ground. The first circuit may also be configured to source an intermediate differential signal in response to the differential input signal, the first power supply and ground. The second circuit may be configured to sink the differential intermediate signal in response to the differential input signal, the first power supply, ground and a second power supply. The second circuit may flatten the transconductance of the first circuit relative to a common mode voltage of the differential input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a regulator and a control circuit. The regulator may be configured to generate a regulated voltage in response to (i) a reference input signal, (ii) a pull down signal and (iii) a control signal. The control circuit may be configured to generate the control signal in response to a digital complement of the pull down signal. The regulator and the control circuit have a common supply voltage and ground. The regulator may comprise a pass through device and a protection device. The protection device may respond to the control signal to limit a load voltage that passes through the pass through device.