A system and method is provided for providing integrated over-current
protection in a switching power supply. In one embodiment, a switching
power supply could comprise a gate drive circuit operative to receive a
pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal and to drive at least one power field
effect transistor (FET) between alternating activated and deactivated
states based on a pulse-width of the PWM signal. The switching power
supply could also comprise a current sense circuit operative to measure a
current associated with the at least one power FET during the activated
state. The switching power supply could also comprise a first
over-current protection circuit providing a first adjustment to the PWM
signal in response to the current being substantially between a first
threshold and a second threshold. The second threshold could be greater
than the first threshold. The switching power supply could further
comprise a second over-current protection circuit providing a second
adjustment to the PWM signal in response to the current being
substantially greater than the second threshold.