Patent · US Active

Temperature independent reference circuit

US8278994B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
7References
18Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 16, 2012
Grant dateOct 2, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05F3/30
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A temperature independent reference circuit includes first and second bipolar transistors with commonly coupled bases. First and second resistors are coupled in series between the emitter of the second bipolar transistor and ground. The first and second resistors have first and second resistance values, R1 and R2, and third and second temperature coefficients, TC3 and TC2, respectively. The resistance values being such that a temperature coefficient of a difference between the base-emitter voltages of the first and second bipolar transistors, TC1, is substantially equal to TC2×(R2/(R1+R2))+TC3×(R1/(R1+R2)), resulting in a reference current flowing through each of the first and second bipolar transistors that is substantially constant over temperature. A third resistor coupled between a node and the collector of the second bipolar transistor has a value such that a reference voltage generated at the node is substantially constant over temperature.

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