Patent ID: 7411407

Claim:
An integrated circuit (IC) enabled method for determining an electrical characteristic in a circuit assembly of a coupled circuit external to the IC, the method comprising: providing a reference voltage that varies in magnitude over time; providing a first input that directs the IC to transmit a first output voltage to a circuit external to the IC; monitoring the first output voltage within the IC; generating a first signal when the first output voltage is substantially equal to the reference voltage; storing the magnitude of the reference voltage responsive to the first signal; replacing the first input with a second input that directs the IC to transmit a second output voltage different from the first output voltage to the circuit external to the IC; monitoring the second output voltage within the IC; generating a second signal when the second output voltage is substantially equal to the reference voltage; storing the magnitude of the reference voltage responsive to the second signal; and determining a value of an electrical characteristic of the circuit external to the IC responsive to the first and second inputs and the reference voltage.