Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
327539000 | Using bandgap | 83 |
20080197912 | Circuit arrangement for generating a temperature-compensated voltage or current reference value - A circuit arrangement for generating a temperature-compensated voltage or current reference value (UREF) from a supply voltage (VCC) based on the bandgap principle comprises a PTAT circuit ( | 08-21-2008 |
20080224759 | Low noise voltage reference circuit - A low noise voltage reference circuit is described. The reference circuit utilizes a bandgap reference component and may include at least one of a current shunt or filter to reduce high and low noise contributions to the output. Further modifications may include a curvature correction component. | 09-18-2008 |
20080224760 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INCLUDING A REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR - A reference voltage generator and an integrated circuit including the reference voltage generator. The reference voltage generator includes a band gap reference circuit and a start-up circuit. The band gap reference circuit provides a reference voltage to a load. The start-up circuit increases the provided reference voltage by providing a boosting current to the load based on a difference between the provided reference voltage and a target reference voltage responsive to a start-up signal, thereby reducing a time in which the provided reference voltage reaches the target reference voltage. Therefore, the reference voltage generator is configured to provide a target reference voltage within a predetermined time. | 09-18-2008 |
20080224761 | OPAMP-LESS BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE WITH HIGH PSRR AND LOW VOLTAGE IN CMOS PROCESS - A circuit includes an OPAMP-less bandgap voltage generating core circuit connected between a regulated voltage and a ground reference to generate an output bandgap voltage. A preregulator circuit generates the regulated voltage from an unregulated supply voltage. The preregulator circuit includes a negative feedback loop operable to stabilize the regulated voltage and a current source operable to source current for the regulated voltage, the current source mirroring a PTAT current of the OPAMP-less bandgap voltage generating core circuit. The core circuit further includes a negative feedback loop and a positive feedback loop, the negative and positive feedback loops functioning to equalize two internal voltages within the core. | 09-18-2008 |
20080258804 | NUMERICAL BAND GAP - A system includes a bandgap temperature sensor to generate multiple base-emitter voltages. The system also include a controller to detect the base-emitter voltages generated by the bandgap temperature sensor and to generate a bandgap reference voltage according to the multiple base-emitter voltage signals, the bandgap reference voltage having a voltage level that remains substantially constant relative to environmental temperature variations. | 10-23-2008 |
20090002062 | METHOD FOR SENSING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT TEMPERATURE INCLUDING ADJUSTABLE GAIN AND OFFSET - Embodiments of the invention include a temperature sensor method for providing an output voltage response that is linear to the temperature of the integrated circuit to which the temperature sensor belongs and/or the integrated circuit die on which the temperature sensor resides. The output voltage of the temperature sensor has an adjustable gain component and an adjustable voltage offset component that both are adjustable independently based on circuit parameters. The inventive temperature sensor includes an offset circuit that diverts a portion of current from the scaled PTAT current before the current is sourced through the output resistor. The offset circuit includes a bandgap circuit arrangement, a voltage to current converter arrangement, and a current mirror arrangement that are configured to provide a voltage offset adjustable based on independent circuit parameters such as resistor value ratios and transistor device scaling ratios. The gain of the temperature sensor also is based on similar independent circuit parameters. | 01-01-2009 |
20090039949 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A LOW-NOISE, TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATED BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE - A bandgap voltage reference circuit is achieved that does not resort to the use of resistors or regulation loops and is thus able to achieve improved noise performance while also exhibiting absolute stability, no start-up issues, and low input-voltage operation. Subcircuits comprised of four interconnected transistors of different junction areas are used to create differential base-emitter voltage sources with magnitudes that vary in direct proportion to absolute temperature. The voltages from several of these subcircuits are combined without resistors to create a voltage source that is proportional to absolute temperature. An additional transistor is operated as a forward-biased PN junction to create a voltage source that varies in a sense that is complementary to absolute temperature. By a judicious choice of the transistor-junction-area ratios and the number of subcircuits that are summed, the combination of the complementary and proportional voltage references produces a bandgap voltage reference that is nearly constant with variations in temperature. The unique summation technique presented results in a bandgap reference with a noise performance that is more than an order of magnitude better than the prior art, particularly for applications requiring low current consumption. | 02-12-2009 |
20090058511 | Low Supply Voltage Bandgap System - A system and a method is disclosed for allowing bandgap circuitry to function on a low supply voltage integrated circuit, and for using the reference voltage (Vbg) generated by the bandgap circuitry to enable a reference voltage to control system voltage. An illustrative embodiment comprises a charge pump to raise a supply voltage to a system voltage, and an open loop controller, which provides a first signal to activate the charge pump, enabling a bandgap circuit, which outputs a bandgap voltage reference. Further, the system comprises a closed loop controller, which regulates the system voltage by comparing the system voltage to the bandgap reference voltage. Upon the system voltage falling below a target voltage, the closed loop controller provides a second signal to activate the charge pump. Additionally the system comprises a switch controller, which selects the closed loop controller upon sensing the bandgap circuit is active. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058512 | PROCESS INDEPENDENT CURVATURE COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR BANDGAP REFERENCE - In a voltage reference circuit, a bandgap reference circuit, for generating a bandgap reference voltage and a reference current, includes an operation amplifier, and a first transistor for providing the reference current. Another transistor mirrors the reference current to provide a first current. A compensation controller converts a node voltage from the bandgap reference circuit into a second current and performs current subtraction on the first current and the second current to provide a compensation feedback current to another node of the bandgap reference circuit. So that, second order temperature compensation is performed on the bandgap reference voltage. | 03-05-2009 |
20090085651 | SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF BAND GAP VOLTAGE GENERATOR - An apparatus comprises a band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a band gap voltage. A temperature invariant current generator is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a temperature invariant current. A temperature invariant current correction circuit is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit and adjusts the output voltage responsive to the temperature invariant current without altering temperature characteristics of the temperature invariant current. | 04-02-2009 |
20090096509 | Bandgap Reference Circuits for Providing Accurate Sub-1V Voltages - A reference voltage circuit includes a first PMOS device having a first source, a first gate, and a first drain, wherein the first source is coupled to a power supply node; and a second PMOS device having a second source, a second gate and, a second drain. The second source is coupled to the power supply node. The first and the second PMOS devices have constant source-drain currents. The reference voltage circuit further includes a third PMOS device having a third source, a third gate, and a third drain; and a resistor coupled between the third drain and the ground. The third source is coupled to the power supply node. The first, the second, and the third gates are interconnected. The first, the second, and the third drains are virtually interconnected. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096510 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT FOR USE OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An amplifying circuit receives an output from a comparator. The output is provided to each gate of first, second and third transistors. First and second resistors are connected in series. The first and second resistors and a first diode are connected to a drain of the first transistor. Second diodes are connected in parallel. The second diodes are connected to one end of a third resistor. The other end of the third resistor is connected to a drain of the second transistor. Fourth and fifth resistors are connected in series. One end of the fourth resistor is connected to the drain of the second transistor. The comparator receives first and second feedback voltages respectively obtained from a connection node between the first and second resistors and a connection node between the fourth and fifth resistors. A drain of the third transistor outputs a reference voltage. | 04-16-2009 |
20090108917 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PRODUCE FULLY ISOLATED NPN-BASED BANDGAP REFERENCE - Methods and apparatus to produce fully isolated NPN-based bandgap references are disclosed. A disclosed method to form a bandgap reference comprises generating a first current that is proportional-to-temperature, generating a second current that is complementary-to-temperature, and adding the currents to form a third current that is constant over a change in temperature. | 04-30-2009 |
20090108918 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SENSE A PTAT REFERENCE IN A FULLY ISOLATED NPN-BASED BANDGAP REFERENCE - Methods and apparatus for a PTAT reference in a fully isolated NPN-based bandgap references are disclosed. A disclosed method to form a bandgap reference comprises generating a first current that is constant over a change in temperature, generating a second current that is complementary-to-temperature, and generating a current that is proportional-to-temperature. | 04-30-2009 |
20090108919 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT USING INSULATED-GATE FIELD-EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A power supply circuit is disclosed. The power supply circuit is provided with a reference voltage generation circuit to receive a voltage from a higher voltage supply so as to generate a reference voltage. The reference voltage from the reference voltage generation circuit is outputted to a power supply voltage generation circuit. The power supply voltage generation circuit boosts the reference voltage to generate a boosted power supply voltage. The boosted power supply voltage is inputted to a bandgap reference circuit. The bandgap reference circuit generates a reference voltage by using the boosted power supply voltage. | 04-30-2009 |
20090115502 | REFERENCE CURRENT CIRCUIT, REFERENCE VOLTAGE CIRCUIT, AND STARTUP CIRCUIT - A current mirror circuit | 05-07-2009 |
20090128229 | MULTI-CHIP PACKAGE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - An efficient logic chip operating power supply having digital circuits in a multi-chip package is provided. A multi-chip package semiconductor device fabricated in common with a driver chip having analog circuits and a logic chip having digital circuits, a logic chip power supply circuit is provided in which a driver chip creates a logic chip power supply dedicated for the logic chip. The logic chip has internal logic circuitry operating by receiving a power supply from the logic chip power supply circuit via power input terminals. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128230 | BAND-GAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR FOR LOW-VOLTAGE OPERATION AND HIGH PRECISION - Provided is a band-gap reference voltage generator for low-voltage operation and high precision. The band-gap reference voltage generator minimizes voltage drop by connecting resistors in parallel to bipolar transistors, and cancels temperature dependence by properly adjusting a resistor of an output stage, so that it can provide a stable reference voltage that is unaffected by a change in temperature in spite of a low power supply voltage. Further, the band-gap reference voltage generator minimizes variation of the reference voltage caused by offset noise by switching of input and output voltages at input and output stages of a feedback amplifier, so that it can provide a precise reference voltage. | 05-21-2009 |
20090146729 | CONSTANT VOLTAGE CIRCUIT, CONSTANT VOLTAGE SUPPLY SYSTEM AND CONSTANT VOLTAGE SUPPLY METHOD - An input voltage signal VIN to be inputted to a gate terminal of a PMOS transistor M1 is converted to a voltage value which was level shifted at the source terminal by an inter-terminal voltage between the gate and source of the PMOS transistor M1. This conversion is carried out in accordance with a bias current I1 flowing from the constant current source IS through the source terminal of the PMOS transistor M1. The voltage thus converted is outputted from a source follower circuit through a capacitative element C1. A low-pass filter is constituted of the impedance of the PMOS transistor M1 and the capacitative element C1 in a signal path extending from the input voltage signal VIN to the source follower circuit. | 06-11-2009 |
20090146730 | BANDGAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A bandgap reference circuit generating bandgap reference voltage/current. The bandgap reference circuit generates a negative temperature coefficient current (I | 06-11-2009 |
20090160537 | Bandgap voltage reference circuit - A bandgap voltage reference circuit with an inherent curvature correction which comprises an amplifier having an inverting terminal, a non-inverting terminal and an output terminal is described. A first and second bipolar transistor operable at different current densities are provided each of the transistors being coupled to a corresponding one of the inverting and non-inverting terminals of the amplifier such that a ΔVbe is reflected across a first load element. A current biasing circuit is provided which includes a semiconductor device coupled to each of the first and second bipolar transistors and is configured for applying a non-linear bias current to the first and second bipolar transistors for biasing thereof. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160538 | Low voltage current and voltage generator - A bandgap reference circuit which is operable in low supply conditions is described. Such a circuit includes a second amplifier and a resistor at the output of a bandgap reference cell to create a constant current summing node at which PTAT and CTAT currents are summed. In modifications to the circuit it is possible to also provide a voltage reference node corresponding to the signal provided at the summing node. A further modification enables generation of a second voltage reference whose value is related to the base emitter voltage Vbe of a bipolar transistor. Further modifications provided for the generation of curvature correction within the circuit by biasing each of the first and second bipolar transistors Q1 and Q2 with currents of different forms. | 06-25-2009 |
20090174468 | Thermal Sensing Circuit Using Bandgap Voltage Reference Generators Without Trimming Circuitry - Methods, systems and thermal sensing apparatus are provided that use bandgap voltage reference generators that do not use trimming circuitry. Further, circuits, systems, and methods in accordance with the present invention are provided that do not use large amounts of chip real estate and do not require a separate thermal sensing element. | 07-09-2009 |
20090195301 | BAND-GAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE DETECTION CIRCUIT - Methods, devices, modules, and systems for a band-gap reference voltage detection circuit are provided. One embodiment for a band-gap reference voltage detection circuit includes a Brokaw cell having a band-gap reference voltage, and a circuit portion for indicating the magnitude of an input voltage signal with respect to the band-gap reference voltage. The input voltage is applied to transistor bases of the Brokaw cell. | 08-06-2009 |
20090206919 | NO-TRIM LOW-DROPOUT (LDO) AND SWITCH-MODE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CIRCUIT AND TECHNIQUE - An optimized output voltage circuit and technique obtainable without trimming is set forth. A voltage reference circuit and method devoid of trim resistors comprising a high gain amplifier, a plurality of bandgap resistors, and at least a plurality of bipolar devices interconnected across circuitry in a predetermined configuration having emitter areas greater than traditional emitter areas of traditional bipolar devices is set forth. | 08-20-2009 |
20090212853 | APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING POWER IN SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND INPUT IMPEDANCE CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME - An apparatus for supplying power in a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a plurality of power lines, each supplying external power to an interior of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and at least one decoupling capacitor set connected to the plurality of power lines and having a resistance value configured to be variable according to a bias voltage. | 08-27-2009 |
20090237150 | BANDGAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT WITH LOW OPERATING VOLTAGE - A bandgap reference circuit comprising a current mirror, an operational amplifier, first and second BJT transistors is disclosed. The current mirror comprises a first input terminal, a second input terminal and at least one output terminal. The operational amplifier is coupled to the current mirror, wherein a first transistor and a second transistor respectively coupled to the first and the second input terminals have a zero or near zero threshold voltage. The first and second BJT transistors are coupled to two input terminals of the operational amplifier respectively, wherein at least one of the first and second BJT transistors is coupled to the output terminal of the current mirror through a conductive path. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237151 | TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION CIRCUIT - A temperature compensation circuit performing temperature compensation of an analog reference voltage, includes: a first reference voltage generating circuit generating a first voltage of which a voltage level varies depending on a temperature; a second reference voltage generating circuit generating a second voltage of which a voltage level is independent of a temperature and having a circuit configuration that is same as a circuit configuration of the first reference voltage generating circuit; an inverting amplifier having a gain of 1, which inverts and amplifies a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage so as to generate a third voltage; and a differential amplifier amplifying a voltage difference between the third voltage and the first voltage so as to generate a fourth voltage In the temperature compensation circuit, the differential amplifier includes: a first operational amplifier; a first resistor coupled between a first node and a second node that is an inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier; a second resistor coupled between a third node and a fourth node that is a non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier; a third resistor coupled between the second node and a fifth node that is an output node of the first operational amplifier; and a fourth resistor coupled between the fourth node and a sixth node to which an analog reference voltage is applied. Further, in the circuit, resistance values of the first resistor and the second resistor are set to be same as each other, and resistance values of the third resistor and the fourth resistor are set to be same as each other. | 09-24-2009 |
20090243708 | BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A bandgap voltage reference circuit which provides a bandgap reference voltage without requiring a resistor. The circuit comprises an amplifier having an inverting input, a non-inverting input and an output. First and second bipolar transistors are provided which operate at different current densities each coupled to a corresponding one of the inverting and non-inverting inputs of the amplifier. A load MOS transistor of a first aspect ratio is driven by the amplifier to operate in the triode region with a corresponding drain-source resistance r | 10-01-2009 |
20090243709 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A REFERENCE VOLTAGE - Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for a voltage reference generator. A voltage reference generator may comprise a bandgap voltage reference circuit configured to output two complementary-to-absolute-temperature (CTAT) signals. The voltage reference generator may further comprise a differential sensing device configured to sense the two complementary-to-absolute-temperature (CTAT) signals and generate a positive reference signal substantially insensitive to temperature variations over an operating temperature range. | 10-01-2009 |
20090261895 | BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A bandgap voltage reference circuit includes an operational amplifier, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first diode, a second diode, and a divider. The first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor form current mirrors. The reference current of the current mirrors is generated according to the first diode, the second diode, and the first resistor. The reference voltage of the voltage reference circuit is output from the first end of the second resistor. The divider is coupled to the second end of the second resistor so that the reference voltage of the voltage reference circuit can be reduced. | 10-22-2009 |
20090289697 | BANDGAP REFERENCE GENERATOR UTILIZING A CURRENT TRIMMING CIRCUIT - A circuit for providing a bandgap voltage. The circuit includes a classic bandgap reference voltage generation circuit including first end second serially connected transistors acting as a current mirror to another portion of the classical bandgap reference circuit and being coupled between a supply voltage V | 11-26-2009 |
20090302931 | LOW-POWER VOLTAGE REFERENCE - A circuit provides a voltage reference using very low power. It can also be used as a shut regulator for a quiescent current as low as 1.5μA. It includes a transconductance amplifier, a gain stage, and a power transistor. One embodiment of this invention utilizes a work function difference between p | 12-10-2009 |
20090322416 | Bandgap voltage reference circuit - A voltage reference circuit is provided with: an operational amplifier circuit; first and second resistor elements; first and second diodes; and first and second transistors. The first resistor element and the first diode are connected in series between a first input terminal of the operational amplifier circuit and a reference level node. The second resistor element and the second diode are connected in series between a second input terminal of the operational amplifier circuit and the reference level node. The first transistor is connected between a power supply node and the first input terminal of the operational amplifier circuit and has a control electrode receiving an output of the operational amplifier circuit. The second transistor is connected between the power supply node and the second input terminal of the operational amplifier circuit and has a control electrode receiving the output of the operational amplifier circuit. The value of R12·ln(n11·n22)/(R12·n12·R11) is adjusted to approximately 23.25, where R11 and R12 are resistance values of the first and second resistor elements, n11 is a ratio of an area of a p-n junction of the second diode to an area of a p-n junction of the first diode, and n12 is a ratio of a W/L ratio of the first transistor to a W/L ratio of the second transistor. | 12-31-2009 |
20100045367 | LOW-VOLTAGE OPERATION CONSTANT-VOLTAGE CIRCUIT - According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a low-voltage operation constant-voltage circuit includes a band-gap reference voltage circuit including a resistor-diode series circuit as a main component. A resistor and a diode-connected bipolar transistor are connected in series to create a constant current. It also includes an output circuit connected in parallel to the resistor-diode series circuit and formed so that the same constant current as the current flowing through the resistor-diode series circuit flows. The output circuit includes a diode-connected MOS transistor, and is configured to cancel the positive temperature coefficient of the current flowing through the output circuit by the MOS transistor. With this, a stable output low-voltage of, e.g., about 0.6 V, excellent in temperature characteristics can be obtained regardless of the ambient temperature changes. | 02-25-2010 |
20100060345 | REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR PROVIDING PRECISION VOLTAGE AND PRECISION CURRENT - A reference circuit for providing a precision voltage and a precision current includes a bandgap voltage reference circuit, a positive temperature coefficient calibrating circuit, a threshold voltage superposing circuit and precision current generator interconnected in cascade. From the bandgap voltage reference circuit, a bandgap voltage is outputted as the precision voltage, and a PTAT current is outputted to the positive temperature coefficient calibrating circuit along with the bandgap voltage for generating a PTAT voltage. In response to the PTAT voltage from the positive temperature coefficient calibrating circuit, the threshold voltage superposing circuit generates a first voltage which is equal to the PTAT voltage plus a threshold voltage. Then the precision current generator outputs a reference current as the precision current in response to the first voltage. | 03-11-2010 |
20100117721 | GENERATOR AND METHOD FOR GENERATING REFERENCE VOLTAGE AND REFERENCE CURRENT - A generator for generating reference voltage and reference current includes a reference voltage generating circuit for generating a first voltage and a second voltage, which are in combination to produce a reference voltage. The first voltage and the second voltage are respectively having a first-direction response variation and a second-direction response variation, according to a temperature variation. A voltage-to-current inverting circuit is coupled to the reference voltage generating circuit for generating a first current, which has the first-direction response variation as the temperature variation, according to the first voltage. An adding circuit is coupled to the reference voltage generating circuit and the voltage-to-current inverting circuit to obtain a second current corresponding to the second voltage from the reference voltage generating circuit. The first current and the second current are added to have a reference current. The second current has the second-direction response variation as the temperature variation. | 05-13-2010 |
20100123514 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRIMMING BANDGAP OFFSET WITH BIPOLAR DIODE ELEMENTS - An integrated circuit has an untrimmed bandgap generation circuit; and a bandgap generation circuit coupled to the untrimmed bandgap generation circuit. The bandgap generation circuit has a current source controlled by the untrimmed bandgap generation circuit and coupled in series with a resistor and a first bipolar diode device, one or more of bipolar diode devices, each bipolar diode device coupled in parallel with the first bipolar diode device, wherein a trimmed bandgap reference voltage output of the integrated circuit is a function of the number of bipolar diode devices. | 05-20-2010 |
20100127763 | SECOND ORDER CORRECTION CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE - A system and method are provided for a more accurate bandgap voltage reference wherein the first and second order errors are corrected simultaneously. By using the components included in the correction of the first order error, the second order errors are corrected, advantageously providing less process variability. | 05-27-2010 |
20100134180 | BANDGAP-REFERENCED THERMAL SENSOR - A thermal sensor for an integrated circuit including a bandgap reference circuit. The thermal sensor includes a comparator that compares a temperature dependent voltage generated by the bandgap reference circuit to a temperature independent voltage, where both temperatures are referenced to the bandgap reference voltage generated by the bandgap reference circuit. The thermal sensor generates a digital output control signal based on a predetermined relationship between the temperature dependent voltage and the temperature independent reference voltage. When used as a thermal shutdown circuit, the comparator generates a thermal shut-down signal when the dependent temperature voltage decreases (or increases) with rising system temperature to equal to the temperature independent reference voltage. The comparator is implemented using an operational amplifier that is connected to existing circuitry associated with the bandgap reference circuit. | 06-03-2010 |
20100156519 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VOLTAGE REFERENCE GENERATION CIRCUIT, AND CALIBRATION METHOD OF THE CIRCUIT - A voltage generation circuit that includes: a voltage generator integrated in a semiconductor chip and structured to generate an output voltage in accordance with a calibration parameter; a heater operable to heat the voltage generator; a control device configured to receive the output voltage, activate the heater and provide the calibration parameter to the voltage generator. | 06-24-2010 |
20100164608 | BANDGAP CIRCUIT AND TEMPERATURE SENSING CIRCUIT INCLUDING THE SAME - A temperature sensing circuit includes a bandgap unit configured to output a temperature voltage varying according to a temperature and a reference voltage sustaining a predetermined level. A comparator is configured to compare the temperature voltage and the reference voltage and output temperature information. | 07-01-2010 |
20100188141 | CONSTANT-VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT AND REGULATOR CIRCUIT - A constant-voltage generating circuit includes: a reference potential generating unit; first and second amplifier units whose outputs are respectively connected to the output line; and a low-pass filter, and wherein first and second operation periods are repeated, one alternating with the other, the first amplifier unit stores offset voltage of the first amplifier unit during the second operation period, and produces an output, during the first operation period, that brings the first potential and the second potential equal to each other by canceling out the offset voltage using the stored offset voltage, and the second amplifier unit stores offset voltage of the second amplifier unit during the first operation period, and produces an output, during the second operation period, that brings the first potential and the second potential equal to each other by canceling out the offset voltage using the stored offset voltage. | 07-29-2010 |
20100214013 | REFERENCE SIGNAL GENERATING CIRCUIT - According to an aspect of the invention, a reference signal generating circuit includes a band gap reference main unit that includes a first cascode current mirror unit having a plurality of first conductive-type transistors; a second cascode current mirror unit having a plurality of second conductive-type transistors; a reference unit that uses a band gap to generate a reference signal; a first bias voltage generating unit that generates a bias voltage of the second cascode current mirror unit; a second bias voltage generating unit that generates a bias voltage of the first cascode current mirror unit; and an output unit that generates a reference signal based upon an output of the band gap reference main unit to generate and outputs the reference signal, wherein the second cascode current mirror unit is connected between the first cascode current mirror unit and the reference unit. | 08-26-2010 |
20100315156 | VOLATAGE BANDGAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A voltage bandgap reference circuit includes a voltage keeping circuit, for keeping a first voltage at a first point and a second voltage at a second point to a constant level; a first NMOSFET, having a drain terminal coupled to the first point and a source terminal coupled to a first specific voltage level; and a second NMOSFET, having a drain terminal coupled to the second point and a source terminal coupled to the first specific voltage level. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315157 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device is capable of generating an internal voltage having a voltage level that is dependent on an external power supply voltage. The semiconductor device includes an internal voltage generation unit configured to generate a plurality of internal voltages having different voltage levels by using an external power supply voltage, a voltage level detection unit configured to detect a voltage level of the external power supply voltage, and a selection unit configured to selectively output one of the internal voltages in response to a detection result of the voltage level detection unit. | 12-16-2010 |
20110001555 | TEST CIRCUIT FOR MONITORING A BANDGAP CIRCUIT - A test circuit provided to monitor a bandgap circuit that outputs a bandgap reference voltage The test circuit includes a reference voltage test module to output a first pass signal when an operating voltage of the bandgap circuit is greater than a first threshold voltage; an output test module to output a second pass signal when an output voltage of the bandgap circuit is greater than a second threshold voltage; and an overdrive test module to output a third pass signal when a minimum operating voltage of the test circuit is detected. Furthermore, a logic circuit is provided and coupled to outputs of each of the test modules. The logic circuit is further configured to output an operating signal, which indicates that the bandgap reference voltage is stable, after receiving the first, second, and third pass signals. | 01-06-2011 |
20110006837 | Graphene Device, Method of Investigating Graphene, and Method of Operating Graphene Device - The present invention provides for a graphene device comprising: a first gate structure, a second gate structure that is transparent or semi-transparent, and a bilayer graphene coupled to the first and second gate structures, the bilayer graphene situated at least partially between the first and second gate structures. The present invention also provides for a method of investigating semiconductor properties of bilayer graphene and a method of operating the graphene device by producing a bandgap of at least 50 mV within the bilayer graphene by using the graphene device. | 01-13-2011 |
20110032027 | SWITCHED BANDGAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR RETENTION MODE - A low power bandgap reference circuit for retention mode in system on chips (SoCs). A switched bandgap reference includes bandgap reference circuit coupled to a storage capacitor through a switch. A logic having a set of control signals controls the switch and the bandgap reference circuit such that during a retention mode the bandgap reference circuit and the switch are active for a first time interval in response to the set of control signals to recharge the storage capacitor and then inactive for a second time interval in response to the set of control signals that decouples the bandgap reference circuit from the storage capacitor. The charge stored in the storage capacitor is used to generate a reference voltage. | 02-10-2011 |
20110050330 | REFERENCE CURRENT GENERATING CIRCUIT - A reference current generating circuit includes an operational amplifier having one input terminal to receive a reference voltage and a field effect transistor having a gate to receive an output voltage of the operational amplifier. k resistors (k is an integer not less than 2) are connected in series to a drain of the field effect transistor, and a voltage at one of connection points of the resistors is feed backed to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier. A switch selects one of the connection points of the resistors and applies the voltage of the selected connection point as a reference voltage to a gate of a reference transistor to generate a reference current. | 03-03-2011 |
20110074495 | COMPENSATED BANDGAP - An integrated circuit has an untrimmed bandgap generation circuit; and a bandgap generation circuit coupled to the untrimmed bandgap generation circuit. The bandgap generation circuit has a current source controlled by the untrimmed bandgap generation circuit and coupled in series with a resistor and a first bipolar diode device, one or more of bipolar diode devices, each bipolar diode device coupled in parallel with the first bipolar diode device, wherein a trimmed bandgap reference voltage output of the integrated circuit is a function of the number of bipolar diode devices. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074496 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE CIRCUIT - Provided is a reference voltage circuit in which a temperature characteristic of a reference voltage is excellent and a circuit scale is small. In the reference voltage circuit, for example, a temperature correction circuit separated from the reference voltage circuit is not used and a difference voltage between threshold voltages of two E-type NMOS transistors ( | 03-31-2011 |
20110102071 | CURVATURE-COMPENSATED BAND-GAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A band-gap reference voltage is developed by a phase-clocked band-gap circuit including a single PN junction through which first and second constant currents are alternately directed. A current proportional to absolute temperature is selectively added to one of the first and second constant currents to curvature-compensate the developed band-gap reference voltage. The band-gap circuit is calibrated at any desired temperature by interrupting the curvature compensation current and trimming the one constant current to bring the un-compensated band-gap reference voltage into correspondence with a nominal band-gap voltage functionally related to the calibration temperature and circuit component values. | 05-05-2011 |
20110163799 | Bi-directional Trimming Methods and Circuits for a Precise Band-Gap Reference - A bandgap reference circuit has trimming-up resistors and trimming-down resistors for bi-directional trimming. PNP transistors have base and collectors grounded and emitters connected to parallel resistors. A difference resistor drives an inverting input of an op amp that drives a transistor that generates the bandgap reference voltage Vbg. A sensing resistor connects Vbg to a splitting node that connects to the non-inverting input through a first parallel resistor. The splitting node also connects through a second parallel resistor to the inverting input. Fuses or switches enable the trimming-up and trimming-down resistors. The trimming-up resistors are in series with the sensing resistor and the trimming-down resistors are in series with an output resistor that connects Vbg to reference voltage Vref. The circuit can be designed for a more typical process since bi-directional trimming allows Vref to be raised or lowered. Many circuits need no trimming when targeted for the typical process. | 07-07-2011 |
20110169561 | FAST START-UP LOW-VOLTAGE BANDGAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR - A fast start-up low-voltage bandgap reference voltage generator uses two current generators to provide a first current having a positive temperature coefficient and a second current having a negative temperature coefficient, respectively, and a resistor to generate a temperature independent output voltage according to the sum of the first and second currents. The current generator for providing the first current has a self-bias circuit which uses a single MOSFET to establish the first current, and thereby avoids error caused by mismatched MOSFETs. | 07-14-2011 |
20110175675 | BAND-GAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE DETECTION CIRCUIT - Methods, devices, modules, and systems for a band-gap reference voltage detection circuit are provided. One embodiment for a band-gap reference voltage detection circuit includes a Brokaw cell having a band-gap reference voltage, and a circuit portion for indicating the magnitude of an input voltage signal with respect to the band-gap reference voltage. The input voltage is applied to transistor bases of the Brokaw cell. | 07-21-2011 |
20110187445 | COMPLEMENTARY BAND-GAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A complementary band-gap voltage reference circuit comprising first and second groups of transistors, each group containing a first transistor of npn type and a second transistor of pnp type and the transistors of different types in the same group having different emitter current conduction areas. The emitter-collector paths of the first transistors of each group are connected in parallel so as to present differential base-emitter voltages. The second transistors of each group are connected with their emitter-collector paths in parallel with a base-emitter junction of the first transistor of the same group so as to present differential base-emitter voltages of the second transistors across the first and second groups of transistors. The output regulated voltage is an additive function of the differential base-emitter voltages and of additive base-emitter voltages of transistors with smaller emitter current conduction area and different type. | 08-04-2011 |
20110273227 | Bandgap Voltage and Temperature Coefficient Trimming Algorithm - A circuit and corresponding method for providing a reference voltage are presented. The circuit includes a current source having a magnitude with positive temperature correlation connected to a node, and a diode element connected between the node and ground, where the reference voltage is provided from the node. The circuit also includes a variable resistance connected to receive an input indicative of the circuit temperature and through which the diode element is connected to the node. The value of the variable resistance is adjusted based upon the circuit temperature input. The circuit is useful for application as a peripheral circuitry, such as on a flash or other non-volatile memory and other circuits requiring an on-chip reference voltage source. | 11-10-2011 |
20120169413 | BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE CIRCUIT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR REDUCED OUTPUT CURVATURE - A bandgap voltage reference circuit includes a current generation stage configured to generate a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current and a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) current and to generate a reference current by combining the PTAT and CTAT currents. An output stage is coupled to the current generation stage and configured to combine the PTAT current and the CTAT current to generate a bandgap voltage reference. A curvature correction circuit is configured to generate a curvature correction current that mirrors the reference current generated from the PTAT and CTAT currents. The curvature correction current has a ratio relative to the reference current given by a current ratio parameter having value that is less than one, equal to one, or greater than one. In this way the value of the current ratio parameter can be varied to cancel a non-linear dependence on temperature of the bandgap voltage reference, thereby providing a curvature-compensated bandgap voltage reference. | 07-05-2012 |
20120176186 | Bandgap Reference Apparatus and Methods - Structure and methods for a compensated bandgap reference circuit. A first integrated circuit die having a first bandgap reference circuit with a non-zero temperature coefficient; and having a first output reference signal is provided, a second integrated circuit die having a second bandgap reference circuit with a non-zero temperature coefficient that is of opposite polarity from the temperature coefficient of the first bandgap reference circuit, and having a second output reference signal is provided; an adder circuit disposed on at least one of the first and second integrated circuit dies combines the first and second output reference signals, and outputs a combined reference signal; and connectors for connecting the first and second output signals to the adder circuit are provided. Methods are disclosed for pairing integrated circuit dies with bandgap reference circuits and coupling the dies to form temperature compensated signals. | 07-12-2012 |
20120200343 | CONSTANT-VOLTAGE CIRCUIT - A constant-voltage circuit includes a first reference voltage generation unit which generates a reference voltage using a bandgap voltage of a bipolar transistor, a second reference voltage generation unit which generates a reference voltage using a field effect transistor, a constant voltage generation unit which generates a constant voltage with reference to either an output voltage of the first reference voltage generation unit or an output voltage of the second reference voltage generation unit, and a control unit which controls the first reference voltage generation unit, the second reference voltage generation unit, and the constant voltage generation unit. During an initial activation period, the first reference voltage generation unit and the second reference voltage generation unit are operated, and during a subsequent operation period, the first reference voltage generation unit is stopped. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200344 | Low Power Reference - A low power reference device is disclosed. The low power reference device includes a precision reference module, a low power reference module, a calibration module, an output module and one or more sequencers. The precision reference module is configured to output a first reference signal while the low power reference module is configured to output a second reference signal. The calibration module is configured to receive the first and second reference signals and output a correction signal to the low power reference module. The output module is configured to receive the first and second reference signals and output a final reference signal. The one or more sequencers are configured to drive each of the precision reference modules, low power reference module, calibration module and output module according to a predetermined timing sequence. | 08-09-2012 |
20120206192 | PROGRAMMABLE BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE - A bandgap reference circuit includes an amplifier configured to provide an output voltage dependent upon voltages appearing at an inverting input and a non-inverting input. The bandgap reference circuit also includes a first transistor coupled between the non-inverting input and a circuit ground reference, and a first resistor coupled to the inverting input. The bandgap reference circuit also includes a number of second transistors coupled in parallel between the circuit ground reference and the first resistor. At least a portion of the second transistors are connected to the first resistor through a plurality of programmably selectable switches. | 08-16-2012 |
20120229199 | BANDGAP CIRCUIT AND START CIRCUIT THEREOF - A start circuit adapted to start a reference circuit including a plurality of bias nodes is provided. The start circuit includes a current source, a current minor, a load device, and a control device. The current source determines whether or not to generate an internal current according to a plurality of bias voltages on a part of the bias nodes. The current minor duplicates the internal current to produce a mirrored current. The load device adjusts a control voltage according to the mirrored current. The control device determines whether or not to generate a start voltage according to the control voltage, and transmits the start voltage to one of the part of the bias nodes, so as to break the reference circuit away from a zero-current state. | 09-13-2012 |
20120274396 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A semiconductor device and a power voltage supply circuit for a test operation of a semiconductor system including the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device receives first and second power supply voltages in a normal operation mode from an external device and receives the first power supply voltage in a test operation mode. The semiconductor device includes a voltage level setting unit configured to set a power connection node at a voltage between a voltage level of a first power supply voltage terminal and a voltage level of a ground voltage terminal according to an operation mode signal, and a voltage driving unit configured to drive a second power supply voltage terminal with the first power supply voltage in the test operation mode, wherein the driving power is controlled according to the voltage level of the power connection node. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274397 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A PROCESS SENSOR TO COMPENSATE SOC PARAMETERS IN THE PRESENCE OF IC PROCESS MANUFACTURING VARIATIONS - Certain aspects of a method and system for a process sensor to compensate SoC parameters in the presence of IC process manufacturing variations are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include determining an amount of process variation associated with at least one transistor within a single integrated circuit. The determined amount of process variation may be compensated by utilizing a process dependent current, a bandgap current, and a current associated with a present temperature of the transistor. The process dependent current, the bandgap current and the current associated with the present temperature of the transistor may be combined to generate an output current. A voltage generated across a variable resistor may be determined based on the generated output current. | 11-01-2012 |
20130002344 | ANALOG DELAY LINES AND ADAPTIVE BIASING - Examples of analog delay lines and analog delay systems, such as DLLs incorporating analog delay lines are described, as are circuits and methods for adaptive biasing. Embodiments of adaptive biasing are described and may generate a bias signal for an analog delay line during start-up. The bias signal may be based in part on the frequency of operation of the analog delay line. | 01-03-2013 |
20130033305 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT - A reference voltage generating circuit that accurately corrects temperature characteristics of a BGR (bandgap reference) circuit and a regulator. A voltage dividing circuit outputs first and second voltages obtained by dividing a BGR voltage. The regulator includes a differential amplifier, first and second resisters coupled in series between the output terminal of the differential amplifier and the ground. The positive input terminal of the differential amplifier receives the BGR voltage, and the negative input terminal is coupled to a coupled node between third and fourth resistors. The BGR circuit outputs a third voltage varying with a temperature determined by a predetermined amount of current flowing in the BGR circuit and a predetermined resistor. A temperature-characteristics correcting circuit controls a correcting current flowing through the coupled node so that its magnitude varies with the difference between the first and third voltages, and the difference between the second and third voltages. | 02-07-2013 |
20130093504 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATORS, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATORS - A reference voltage generator is described. The reference voltage generator includes a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current source, the PTAT current source being capable of providing a first current that is proportional to a temperature. The reference voltage generator further includes a current mirror comprising a first transistor and a second transistor, the current mirror configured to generate a second current proportional to the first current, wherein a ratio of the first current to the second current is equal to a ratio of a gate width of the first transistor to a gate width of the second transistor. The reference voltage generator further includes a voltage divider, the voltage divider being capable of receiving the second current, the voltage divider capable of outputting a reference voltage, the reference voltage being substantially independent from a change of the temperature. | 04-18-2013 |
20130154721 | SWITCHED-CAPACITOR, CURVATURE-COMPENSATED BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE - In a novel aspect, producing a reference bandgap voltage includes generating a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage difference based on respective voltages across a first pair of diodes. The PTAT voltage difference is sampled and scaled using a switched-capacitor amplifier. The switched-capacitor amplifier also is used to sample and scale a difference in voltages across a second pair of diodes, one of which is biased with a PTAT current and the other of which is biased with a current that exhibits little or no linear temperature dependency. The scaled voltage differences are combined with a voltage corresponding to a voltage across the diode that is biased with the PTAT current so as to at least partially compensate for linear and non-linear temperature-dependent components of the voltage across the diode. | 06-20-2013 |
20130162341 | AUTO-CALIBRATING A VOLTAGE REFERENCE - A method and circuitry for determining a temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage are disclosed. The method includes determining a quantity proportional to an internal series resistance of a p-n junction diode and determining the temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage using the quantity proportional to an internal series resistance. | 06-27-2013 |
20130222052 | LINEAR VOLTAGE REGULATOR GENERATING SUB-REFERENCE OUTPUT VOLTAGES - A linear voltage regulator includes a pair of amplifiers. A first amplifier of the pair is used in conventional fashion to generate a regulated output voltage by controlling an impedance of a pass transistor in the linear voltage regulator, the controlling being based on a difference between a reference voltage and a voltage at a first node in a voltage divider network connected between the output terminal of the voltage regulator and a ground terminal. The second amplifier of the pair compares the regulated output voltage and a voltage at a second node in the voltage divider network, and injects a proportional current into the first node. Generation of a regulated output voltage lesser than the reference voltage is thereby enabled. | 08-29-2013 |
20130293289 | Electronic Device and Method Providing a Voltage Reference - An electronic device includes a bandgap reference voltage generation stage. The bandgap reference voltage generation stage comprises a device with a PN-junction, a current source feeding a first current during a first period of time and a second higher current during a second period of time through the PN-junction. The bandgap reference voltage is generated from a combination of a first voltage drop across the PN-junction during the first period of time and a second voltage drop across the PN-junction during the second period of time. This bandgap reference voltage is formed using switched capacitors. | 11-07-2013 |
20140043096 | POLYSILICON DIODE BANDGAP REFERENCE - Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a bandgap reference voltage using at least one polysilicon diode and no silicon diodes. The polysilicon diode is comprised of three portions, a lightly doped portion flanked by a more heavily doped portion on each end. | 02-13-2014 |
20140232453 | CIRCUIT FOR GENERATING REFERENCE VOLTAGE - Provided is a circuit for generating a reference voltage. The circuit includes a band gap circuit generating a first current having a size that increases in proportion to an absolute temperature and a second current having a size that decreases in proportion to the absolute temperature, and outputting a reference voltage based on the first current and the second current; a mirroring circuit mirroring a sum of the first current and the second current and outputting a mirroring voltage that is in proportion to the sum of the first current and the second current; and a start-up circuit receiving the mirroring voltage from the mirroring circuit and providing a driving current for generating the first current or the second current to the band gap circuit until a time when the first current starts to be generated in the band gap circuit. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240037 | BUFFER CIRCUIT - A buffer circuit includes a first current mirror circuit, a second current mirror circuit, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first current mirror circuit passes a first mirror current through a second node, corresponding to a first current passed through a first node, and is activated based on a first activating signal. The second current mirror circuit is connected to the first node and the second node, passes a second mirror current through the second node, corresponding to a second current passed through the first node, and is activated based on a second activating signal. The first transistor has a gate to which a reference voltage is applied and has a drain connected to the first node. The second transistor has a gate to which an input voltage is applied and has a drain connected to the second node. | 08-28-2014 |
20140266413 | BANDGAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A circuit for generating a temperature-stabilized reference voltage on a semiconductor chip includes a differential pair including a first and a second bipolar junction transistor. The circuit further includes a feedback circuit including an amplification stage and configured to control a current flowing through the first bipolar junction transistor and a current flowing through the second bipolar junction transistor. A first resistor is connected between an emitter of the first bipolar junction transistor and an emitter of the second bipolar junction transistor, thereby generating a PTAT voltage across the first resistor. Further, the circuit includes a current source forcing a partial current having a CTAT behavior through the first resistor. | 09-18-2014 |
20150048879 | BANDGAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS THEREOF - A bandgap reference voltage circuit comprises a current mirror unit, an operation amplifier (OP), a first resistor, a second resistor, an auxiliary unit, and a voltage generation circuit. An output end of the OP is coupled to a feedback end of the current mirror unit. An end of the first resistor and an end of the second resistor are coupled to a positive input end of the OP. Another end of the first resistor is coupled to a second end of the current mirror unit. A second end of the voltage generation circuit is coupled to another end of the second resistor. An end of the auxiliary unit is coupled to a negative input end of the OP and a first end of the voltage generation circuit, and another end of the auxiliary unit is coupled to the first end of the current mirror unit. | 02-19-2015 |
20150070085 | REDUCTION IN ON-RESISTANCE IN PASS DEVICE - A pass device configured from a common gate transistor, wherein an input voltage is applied to the source and an output at the drain is applied to a load. The input resistance of the pass device increases as the input voltage is reduced and limits the useful range of the input voltage. Increasing the gate to source voltage (Vgs) by applying a negative voltage to the gate reduces the input resistance and increases the range of operation of the pass device. | 03-12-2015 |
20150102856 | PROGRAMMABLE BANDGAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE - Embodiments may include a method, system and apparatus for providing a reference voltage supply. A series resistor is provided between a power supply and a bandgap circuit coupled to an amplifier. A shunt transistor circuit is operatively coupled to the series resistor. A programmable output voltage is provided based upon the shunt transistor circuit and a first value of the series resistor. | 04-16-2015 |
20150309525 | Voltage Reference - A voltage reference circuit includes a bipolar transistor and a circuit configured to measure the ratio of emitter current to base current of the bipolar transistor. The output voltage of the voltage reference circuit is compensated as a function of the measured ratio. | 10-29-2015 |
20150346754 | BANDGAP VOLTAGE CIRCUIT WITH LOW-BETA BIPOLAR DEVICE - Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a reduction in the spread of a bandgap voltage of a bandgap reference circuit. The biasing current for a target bipolar device is conditioned by passing it through one or more like bipolar devices prior to biasing the target bipolar device. | 12-03-2015 |
20160006424 | Monitor Circuit, Semiconductor Integrated Circuit, Semiconductor Device, and Method of Controlling Power Supply Voltage of Semiconductor Device - A monitor circuit includes a reference voltage generating unit that generates first and second reference voltages, a first amplifier unit that amplifies a differential voltage between the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, a second amplifier unit that amplifies a differential voltage between an internal power supply voltage being supplied to a functional block provided in the semiconductor integrated circuit and the first reference voltage, and a comparator unit that compares an amplification result of the first amplifier unit with an amplification result of the second amplifier unit and outputs a comparison result as a measurement result. | 01-07-2016 |