Sensing services and sensing circuits

Patent 6937052 Issued on August 30, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 26, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventor

Tam, Simon

Assignee

Seiko Epson Corporation

Application

No. 10925942 filed on 08/26/2004

US Classes:

324/765, Test of semiconductor device324/123R, With amplifier or space discharge device365/208, Semiconductors330/253, Having field effect transistor327/552, Active filter365/207, Differential sensing330/9, WITH PERIODIC SWITCHING INPUT-OUTPUT (E.G., FOR DRIFT CORRECTION)327/66Current mirror

Examiners

Primary: Tang, Minh N.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Oliff & Berridge, PLC

International Class

G01R031/02

Abstract

A current sensing circuit includes a differential current input stage connected to a differential voltage output stage. The differential current input stage includes a reference current input from a current source and a sensor current input from a sensing device; a first voltage output corresponding to the reference current and a second voltage output corresponding to the sensor current; and a first switch for substantially equalizing the first and second voltage outputs when closed. The first and second voltage outputs are respective inputs to the differential voltage output stage, which then outputs a differential output voltage corresponding to the difference between the first and second voltage outputs.