Method and apparatus for a floating current source
US9417649B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F3/08
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
As taught herein, a floating current source outputs a load biasing current from a source terminal into an external load which may have a variable resistance, and sinks the load biasing current from the load into a sink terminal. Advantageously, the floating current source includes a single-transistor current sink having a bias control that sets the magnitude of the load biasing current desired, and further includes a single-transistor current source that self-biases from the float voltage developed on the external load to an operating point at which the single-transistor current source sources the desired magnitude of load biasing current. One or more AC shunts within the self-biasing network prevent any AC fluctuations present or impressed on the source terminal of the floating current source from changing the operating point of the single-transistor current source, thereby imparting a high effective impedance to the single-transistor current source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.