Method and apparatus for reducing the nominal operating voltage supplied to an integrated circuit
US5672997A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/10
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for reducing the operating voltage for an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a first input conductor coupled to an operating voltage and a second input conductor coupled to system ground. A logic circuit having a positive rail and a negative rail is coupled between the first input conductor and the second input conductor such that the positive rail is coupled to the first input conductor via a first impedance and the negative rail is coupled to the second input conductor via a second impedance. A first sense conductor is connected to said positive rail between said first impedance and said logic circuit for sensing the voltage at the positive rail. In this manner, the potential at the positive rail of the logic device is accurately sensed. The integrated circuit may be incorporated in a remote sensing system wherein a remote sense conductor of the power supply is coupled to sense the potential at the positive rail. The power supply may thus adjust its output voltage in response to the voltage sensed at the logic circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.