METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE CURRENT CONSUMPTION OF AN ACTIVE LOAD, FOR EXAMPLE A PROCESSING UNIT, AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRONIC DEVICE

A first resistor and a second resistor are coupled in series between a voltage source and an active load. When the current drawn by the active load exceeds a current threshold corresponding to a maximum admissible voltage drop across the first resistor, a stabilization current is delivered to the node common to the series coupled first and second resistors in such a way as to stabilize the voltage on the terminals of the active load at a threshold value. In the presence of such a current in excess of the current threshold, the current consumed by the active load is measured from the voltage drop across the second resistor. Conversely, if the current is less than the current threshold, the current consumed by the active load is measured from the voltage drop across the first resistor.