Dynamically boosted current source circuit
US6204654A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/562
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dynamically boosted current source circuit improves the response speed of a circuit responsive to a transitioning input signal. The circuit's responsiveness varies with the magnitude of the current provided to an identified node, and a current source capable of providing nominal and boosted currents is connected to the node. A threshold detector detects the occurrence of an input signal transition prior to its detection by the responsive circuit, and triggers the current source to provide the boosted current; this improves the responsive circuit's speed by charging or discharging identified node capacitances which hinder its operation. The identified node can be an input node, an output node, or an internal node. The current source provides the boosted current for a predetermined time interval, or until the input signal crosses a second threshold, enabling response speed to be increased without a significant increase in supply current.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.