Precision power-on reset circuit with improved accuracy
US6137324A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/223
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a power-on reset circuit that generates a precise power-on reset pulse with an upper threshold voltage that is highly insensitive to variations in temperature and integrated circuit fabrication processes. The power-on reset circuit of the present invention includes a self-biased current generator capable of receiving a supply voltage and generating a first current, which is proportional to an absolute temperature, in response to receiving the supply voltage. The power-on reset circuit of the present invention also includes a base-emitter voltage detector that is coupled to the self-biased current generator such that a second current flowing though the base-emitter voltage detector is substantially equal to the first current generated by the self-biased current generator. Furthermore, the power-on reset circuit of the present invention includes a (BiCMOS) inverter that is coupled to the base-emitter voltage detector such that the BiCMOS inverter generates the power-on reset pulse as the supply voltage is turned on. With such a power-on reset circuit of the present invention, the upper threshold voltage of the power-on reset pulse may be optimized to be indep…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.