Patent ID: 7339359

Claim:
An integrated circuit (IC) device comprising: a first function circuitry operable to perform a first function, wherein the first function comprises at least one of a current limiting function, a power limiting function, over-voltage protection, and brown-out protection; a second function circuitry operable to perform a second function, wherein the second function comprises at least another of the current limiting function, the power limiting function, over-voltage protection, and brown-out protection; a multi-function terminal; and a voltage sensing circuit coupled to the multi-function terminal for sensing a voltage at the multi-function terminal, wherein: if the sensed voltage is above a predetermined level, the first function circuitry is activated to perform the first function; if the sensed voltage is below the predetermined level, the second function circuit is activated to perform the second function; wherein the first function circuitry comprises: a comparator having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the multi-function terminal when the first function circuitry is activated, wherein the second input terminal is coupled to the output terminal; and a transconductance amplifier coupled to the comparator, the transconductance amplifier operable to conduct current in response to a voltage value at the output terminal of comparator, wherein the amount of current conducted by the transconductance amplifier controls a duty cycle for a switch of the IC device.