Patent ID: 7159583

Claim:
An automotive subsystem, comprising: an ignition coil including a primary winding having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the primary winding is coupled to a power source; a switch including a first output terminal, a second output terminal and a control terminal, wherein the first output terminal is coupled to the second side of the primary winding and the second output terminal is coupled to a common return; a current source providing a drive current; and a drive current stabilization circuit coupled between the current source and the control terminal of the switch, wherein the drive current stabilization circuit divides the drive current into a control current that is provided to the control terminal of the switch, a current limit input current that is provided to a current limit circuit associated with the switch and a stabilization current, and wherein the switch carries a load current responsive to a magnitude of a control signal on the control terminal, where the magnitude of the stabilization current is increased responsive to a decrease in a magnitude of the control current to substantially maintain a magnitude of the drive current.