Patent ID: 8274238
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
1. An electronic circuit, comprising: a current regulator having a current sense node, wherein the current regulator is configured to pass a predetermined current through the current regulator; an open-circuit detection circuit having an input node and an output node, wherein the input node of the open-circuit detection circuit is coupled to the current sense node of the current regulator, and wherein the open-circuit detection circuit is configured to provide an output signal at the output node of the open-circuit detection circuit indicative of a current flowing through the current regulator being below a predetermined current threshold; and a switch having an input node, an output node, and a control node, wherein the input node of the switch is coupled to the current sense node of the current regulator, wherein a selected one of the input node or the output node of the switch is coupled to the input node of the open-circuit detection circuit, wherein the control node of the switch is coupled to the open-circuit detection circuit, and wherein the open-circuit detection circuit is configured to open the switch in response to the current flowing through the current regulator being below the predetermined current threshold.