Current generator for delivering a reference current of which the value is proportional to the absolute temperature
US6198267A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F3/30
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A current generator for delivering a reference current of which the value is proportional to the absolute temperature comprises first and second bipolar transistors (Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2) which are biased respectively by first and second current sources (I.sub.1, I.sub.2). The voltage difference between the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors (Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2) is regulated to virtually zero volt by means of regulation means (RGMNS). Because of the presence of resistors (R.sub.1 -R.sub.3) in series with the bases of the first and second bipolar transistors (Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2) instead of the presence of resistors in series with the emitters, the first and second bipolar transistors (Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2) can be chopped by switches without suffering from the disadvantageous effect of the undesired series resistances of the switches. For this reason by the chopping of the first and second bipolar transistors (Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2) the accuracy of the reference current is improved significantly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.