Reference circuit using current feedback for fast biasing upon power-up
US6057721A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/223
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fast start-up circuit for use in integrated circuits where there are internal nodes of reference circuits that need to be charged to a predetermined voltage level at a quicker rate than that delivered by the typical ramping up of supply power. The circuit a current driven approach, which is unique from the voltage driven approaches found in the prior art. The circuit is comprised of a high gain reference circuit and a current generator. The reference circuit is comprised of a bias generator and a high gain amplifier. The invention is characterized by a current generator which is capable of rapidly injecting relatively high levels of current into the reference circuit or sinking relatively high levels of current from the reference circuit or both. The invention is further characterized by a current driven feedback loop which deactivates the current generator once start-up is achieved and the high gain reference circuit approaches the quiescent point.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.