Temperature compensation module
US6452454B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2200/372
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system is disclosed for improving the operation of a circuit having one or more semiconductor devices as temperature varies over the circuit's typical range of operating temperatures. In an environment of a current mirror, the invention can be used to reduce variation in the reference current as temperature changes. This is particularly desirable at low operating voltages. In one embodiment, the invention is configured as a current compensation module connected to a current mirror regulator node. At normal temperature, the current mirror reference current and the compensation module are configured to provide the desired amount of reference current to the current mirror. At temperatures above normal, the current compensation module automatically conducts more current than at normal temperature. At temperatures below normal, the current compensation module conducts less current than at normal temperature. This manner of compensation counteracts the undesirable changes in semiconductor behavior that occur when the operating temperature of the circuit changes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.