Current mirror and self-starting reference current generator
US5612614A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F3/262
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A current mirror (100) has an input stage (104) and an output stage (106), both preferably employing FET's. (Field Effect Transistors) An amplifier (102) equalizes drain-to-source voltages between FET's in the input and output stages to provide a higher output impedance. A resistance (R1), coupled in series with an FET in the output stage (106), provides degenerative feedback. A reference current generator (400) is constructed of two such current mirrors, one being the compliment of the other, to provide one or more stable reference currents. Loop gain of the reference current generator (400) is greater than one at start-up, but degenerative feedback reduces the loop gain to one at a predetermined stable operating point.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.