Patent ID: 7352202
Filing Date: 2008-04-01
Classification: G01R,H02M

Abstract:
1. A method for sensing current flowing through a semiconductor device, the method comprising: providing an input pin to receive an input; providing an output pin coupled to a predefined voltage source; providing a control pin to receive a control signal for controlling a flow of current between the output pin and the input pin; electrically coupling a Kelvin sense pin to an output pad located on a semiconductor die of the device, wherein an electrical path from the output pad to the output pin has a predefined resistance, wherein the current is Kelvin current sensed using the predefined resistance and wherein a flow of an output current provided to a load coupled to the device is interrupted when a value of the current is greater than a predefined value; and modifying a layout of a standard integrated circuit (IC) footprint by including the Kelvin sense pin as an extra pin, wherein the input pin, the output pin, and the control pin are in accordance with the standard IC footprint.