Patent · US Expired

Delay inversely proportional to temperature timer circuit

US7642833B1 · kind B1 · utility

5Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 16, 2004
Grant dateJan 5, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 31, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03H11/54
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A timer circuit is disclosed. The timer, having a delay configured to track inversely with temperature of the memory device, includes a reference signal configured to increase in voltage, as the temperature of the memory device increases. The reference signal may be generated from a current that is derived from a bandgap reference circuit. The timer circuit includes a pull-down path made up of a plurality of selectable pull down transistors which are coupled to the reference signal at the gate. Resistance of the pull-down path is reduced as the reference signal is increased and the reduced resistance of the pull-down path decreases the delay of timer. A plurality of selectable delay elements may be preconfigured to adjust the delay and are coupled to the output path of the current starved inverter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.