A circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a current detecting FET, configured to generate a current signal indicative of the value of the current flowing therethrough, an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to output a current in response to the voltage of the current signal, and a resistor configured to receive the current and to generate a voltage in response to the received current, where the generated voltage is indicative of the value of the current flowing through the current detecting FET. The current detecting FET is configured to become nonconductive in response to the generated voltage indicating that the current flowing through the current detecting FET is greater than a threshold.

A circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a current detecting FET, configured to generate a current signal indicative of the value of the current flowing therethrough, an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to output a current in response to the voltage of the current signal, and a resistor configured to receive the current and to generate a voltage in response to the received current, where the generated voltage is indicative of the value of the current flowing through the current detecting FET. The current detecting FET is configured to become nonconductive in response to the generated voltage indicating that the current flowing through the current detecting FET is greater than a threshold.

Disclosed is a voltage reference buffer circuit including a first, second, third, and fourth bias generators and a first, second, third, and fourth driving components. The first, second, third, and fourth bias generators generate bias voltages to control the first, second, third, and fourth driving components respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth driving components are coupled in sequence, wherein the first and second driving components are different types of transistors and jointly output a first reference voltage, the third and fourth driving components are different types of transistors and jointly output a second reference voltage, and the group of the first and second driving components is separated from the group of the third and fourth driving components by a resistance load.

Disclosed is a voltage reference buffer circuit including a first, second, third, and fourth bias generators and a first, second, third, and fourth driving components. The first, second, third, and fourth bias generators generate bias voltages to control the first, second, third, and fourth driving components respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth driving components are coupled in sequence, wherein the first and second driving components are different types of transistors and jointly output a first reference voltage, the third and fourth driving components are different types of transistors and jointly output a second reference voltage, and the group of the first and second driving components is separated from the group of the third and fourth driving components by a resistance load.

An electronic fuse for a power supply includes at least two switching elements and a regulation unit, wherein a first switching element is arranged in a main branch, where the regulation unit is switches off the first switching element when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded by a prevailing current value, and a second switching element that is also actuated by the regulation unit, which is arranged in an auxiliary branch parallel to the first switching element and assumes a substantial proportion of a resulting power loss when an overload occurs, and the second switching element, which is arranged in at least one auxiliary branch, is configured or optimized for linear operation, and where the at least two switching elements are configured such that the line resistance of the second switching element is at least twice the line resistance of the first switching element.

An electronic fuse for a power supply includes at least two switching elements and a regulation unit, wherein a first switching element is arranged in a main branch, where the regulation unit is switches off the first switching element when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded by a prevailing current value, and a second switching element that is also actuated by the regulation unit, which is arranged in an auxiliary branch parallel to the first switching element and assumes a substantial proportion of a resulting power loss when an overload occurs, and the second switching element, which is arranged in at least one auxiliary branch, is configured or optimized for linear operation, and where the at least two switching elements are configured such that the line resistance of the second switching element is at least twice the line resistance of the first switching element.

A current detection circuit includes normally-on-type and a first normally-off-type switching elements with main current paths that are connected in series, and a second normally-off-type switching element that has a source and a gate that are connected to a source and a gate of the first normally-off-type switching element and a drain that is connected to a constant current source, and executes a division process by using drain voltages of the two normally-off-type switching elements.

A current detection circuit includes normally-on-type and a first normally-off-type switching elements with main current paths that are connected in series, and a second normally-off-type switching element that has a source and a gate that are connected to a source and a gate of the first normally-off-type switching element and a drain that is connected to a constant current source, and executes a division process by using drain voltages of the two normally-off-type switching elements.

Disclosed is a power supply that automatically switches between a voltage regulation mode and an over current protection mode, as needed. The power supply includes a voltage regulator that generates a first control voltage for applying to the control terminal of a pass transistor during a voltage regulation mode to maintain an output voltage at a desired voltage level. The power supply includes a current limiter that generates a second control voltage for applying to the control terminal of the pass transistor during an over current protection mode to prevent an output current from rising above a maximum output current limit. The power supply includes additional circuitry that detects when over current protection is required and automatically switches the control voltage applied to the control terminal from the first control voltage to the second control voltage or vice versa, as necessary. Also disclosed is an associated power supply method.

Disclosed is a power supply that automatically switches between a voltage regulation mode and an over current protection mode, as needed. The power supply includes a voltage regulator that generates a first control voltage for applying to the control terminal of a pass transistor during a voltage regulation mode to maintain an output voltage at a desired voltage level. The power supply includes a current limiter that generates a second control voltage for applying to the control terminal of the pass transistor during an over current protection mode to prevent an output current from rising above a maximum output current limit. The power supply includes additional circuitry that detects when over current protection is required and automatically switches the control voltage applied to the control terminal from the first control voltage to the second control voltage or vice versa, as necessary. Also disclosed is an associated power supply method.