US3633052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low-noise integrated circuit zener voltage reference device including a multiple collector lateral transistor
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-13
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1990-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A low-noise integrated circuit zener voltage reference device including a multiple collector lateral transistor and a zener breakdown device coupled together in such a manner as to utilize the relatively poor-high frequency response characteristics and the plural current paths of the lateral transistor to substantially reduce the level of broadband zener noise appearing in the reference voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Hanna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:48
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/60; H10D84/611; H10D84/619; G; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A voltage reference circuit, comprising: means forming a first terminal for connection to a first source of potential; means forming a second terminal for connection to a second source of potential; means forming a reference terminal at which a reference voltage may be obtained; a load impedance coupling said first terminal to said reference terminal; transistor means including a base, an emitter coupled to said reference terminal, a first collector coupled to said second terminal and a second collector coupled to said base; and a reverse biased zener diode coupling said second collector to said second terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A voltage reference circuit, comprising: means forming a first terminal for connection to a first source of potential; means forming a second terminal for connection to a second source of potential; means forming a reference terminal at which a reference voltage may be obtained; a load impedance coupling said first terminal to said reference terminal; transistor means including a base, an emitter coupled to said reference terminal, a first collector coupled to said second terminal and a second collector coupled to said base; and a reverse biased zener diode coupling said second collector to said second terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A voltage reference circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said base includes a first body of semiconductive material of a first conductivity type, said emitter includes a second body of semiconductive material of a second conductivity type forming a first PN-junction junction with said first body, said first collector includes a third body of semiconductive material of said second conductivity type forming a second PN-junction with said first body, and said second collector includes a fourth body of semiconductive material of said second conductivity type forming a third PN-junction with said first body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A voltage reference circuit as recited in claim 2 wherein said zener diode includes a fifth body of semiconductive material of said first conductivity type forming a fourth PN-junction with said third body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A voltage reference circuit as recited in claim 2 wherein the ratio of the effective junction length of said second PN-junction to the effective junction length of said third PN-junction is such that the current flowing through said second collector is less than the current flowing through said first collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A voltage reference circuit, comprising: means forming a first terminal; means forming a second terminal; a lateral transistor including an emitter region of a first conductivity type coupled to said first terminal, a base region of a second conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said emitter region, a first collector region of said first conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said base region and coupled to said second terminal, a second collector region of said second conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said base region; and means forming a reversed biased zener diode coupling said second collector region to second terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A voltage reference circuit, comprising: means forming a first terminal; means forming a second terminal; a lateral transistor including an emitter region of a first conductivity type coupled to said first terminal, a base region of a second conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said emitter region, a first collector region of said first conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said base region and coupled to said second terminal, a second collector region of said second conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said base region; and means forming a reversed biased zener diode coupling said second collector region to second terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A voltage reference circuit as recited in claim 5 wherein said means forming said zener diode includes a body of semiconductive material of said second conductivity type disposed in PN-junction forming relationship with said first collector region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A voltage reference circuit as recited in claim 5 wherein the effective junction length of the PN-junction formed between said base region and said first collector region is larger than the effective junction length of the PN-junction formed between said base region and said second collector, whereby less than one-half of the total collector current of said transistor flows through said zener diode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |