Jian Z Yu

US Patent:

20140327418, Nov 6, 2014

Filed:

May 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/893884

Inventors:

- Irvine CA, US
Jian Yu - Pleasanton CA, US

Assignee:

Broadcom Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G05F 1/46

US Classification:

323268

Abstract:

A current mirror (e.g., an N or P channel MOSFET current mirror) is present in a load current delivery path. The current delivery path typically includes a network connection, e.g., for power over Ethernet applications. The current mirror provides a reference output, and the load current flows through a primary transistor in the current mirror from a load current input to a load current output of the primary transistor. A mirror transistor generates a sense current on the reference output that is a fractional amount of the load current. A power controller monitors the reference output and controls the current mirror to allow or prevent the load current flowing through the network connection. For example, the power controller may disable the primary transistor and the delivery of load current, when the load is demanding too much load current.