A current sensing circuit comprises a power device adapted to conduct a
bidirectional current between first and second terminals thereof, first
and second sensing devices operatively coupled to the power device, a
sense amplifier providing first and second voltages to the first and
second sensing devices, and a gate drive device providing activating
signals to the power switching device and the first and second sensing
devices. The first and second sensing devices each has an active area
that is substantially identical and significantly smaller than a
corresponding active area of the power switching device. The sense
amplifier measures the voltage of the first sensing device and maintains
the voltage on the second sensing device at the same level as the first
sensing device by injecting an additional current into the second sensing
device. The sense amplifier further provides an output signal
proportional to the bidirectional current. The first and second sensing
devices have k times higher resistance than a corresponding resistance of
the power device when in an active state.