Implement accurate high-side current sensing

Accurate high-side current sensing is important for automotive control systems such as electric power steering, automatic gear shifting, transmission control, engine fuel-injection control, valve control in braking, and active suspensions. All of these applications require precise regulation of the current through a motor or solenoid, to control either the torque of the motor or the drive of the solenoid. The circuit presented in this article includes a high-side current-sense amplifier (MAX9918) for monitoring inductive load currents over a wide range of input common-mode voltages. It is suitable for applications in which the input common voltage can become negative due to inductive kick-back, reverse-battery conditions, or transient events.

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Originally published by Maxim Integrated Products at www.maxim-ic.com as "Accurate High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier Monitors PWM Load Current".