>Although I'm normally not one to recommend Maxim parts, you might
>look at the MAX4069-4072 parts for a project that's a one-off
>(or a few-off) and get samples from them.
>
>They are bidirectional high side current sense amplifiers and
>designed for exactly your kind of application.
>
>Most of the other "analog guys" also have high side current sense
>amps. I can't recall if any of the others have bidirectional parts
>or not though.

Analog Devices do - AD8210 does bidirectional.

Zetex also check the ZXCT10xx series, some are voltage output, some are 
current output. The current output ones let you scale the output voltage how 
you want, while the voltage output ones you have to do this by changing the 
sense resistor value. There is definitely a bi-directional version (ZXCT1041 
IIRC). They also have some that will work low side.

Other possibilities are the LEM Mini-Sense device, which is a hall effect 
device in an SO-8 package, needs an external current carrying wire nearby 
(can be a PC track under it). Also Allegro do a similar hall effect device 
in an SO-8 package, but it has the link internal to the package. The higher 
current (>5A) versions have a large lump of metal as the current loop. 

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