Patent ID: 6452766
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
An over-current protection circuit for use in a power regulation circuit, the power regulation circuit having a first pass element coupled to receive a control signal, the over-current protection circuit comprising:a follower coupled to an output lead of the power regulation circuit; a reference generator coupled to the follower and to a power line, wherein the reference generator comprises a second pass element having a control terminal that is coupled to a reference signal, a second terminal that is coupled to the power line, and a third terminal that is coupled to a current source and wherein the reference generator is configured to cause a reference signal having a level that is dependent on a level of the power source output present on the power line and on a level of an output signal present at the output lead of the power regulation circuit; and a detector coupled to the reference generator, wherein the detector is configured to change a level of the control signal when the level of the control signal reaches a predetermined value relative to the level of the reference signal.