US4388539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated circuit comprising a plurality of voltage-current converters
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1981-02-13
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2001-02-13
Abstract
Abstract An integrated circuit comprising a plurality of adjustable voltage-current converters, of which one converter is employed as a reference converter. The reference converter is included in a control loop. To the input of the reference converter an input voltage is applied in that a first current is passed through a reference resistor connected to said input. A second current, which is in a fixed ratio to said first current, is compared with the output current of the reference converter and this reference converter is then biassed so that its output current corresponds to said second current. In this way the transconductance of the reference converter is determined by the reference resistor and the ratio of the first and the second current, so that this transconductance is highly independent of process, temperature and supply-voltage variations. The other converters are biassed by signals derived from the bias signals for the reference converter and thus have corresponding transconductances.
Inventors
- 👤 Wouter M. Boeke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:13
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/45; H03F3/45071; H03F3/45479; H03F3/45632; H03F3/45744; H03F1/00; H03F1/30; H03F1/301
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
An integrated circuit comprising a plurality of voltage-current converters each having an input and output and a bias-signal input for controlling the transconductance of said voltage-current converters by means of a bias signal on said bias-signal input, the transconductances of the voltage-current converters being in a substantially fixed ratio to each other, a bias-signal generator for applying bias signals which are in a substantially fixed ratio to each other to said bias-signal inputs, and a control network for controlling the bias-signal generator in such a way that the transconductances of the voltage-current converters are highly insensitive to process variations and variations in operating conditions, at least one of the voltage-current converters being included in the control network as a reference converter, characterized in that the control network comprises a first and a second current source supplying currents (I 1 and nI 1 respectively) in a substantially fixed ratio to each other, an input coupled to the input of the reference converter for coupling to a reference resistor which input is included in the output circuit of the first current source, and a comparing control amplifier coupled between the output of the reference converter and a control input of the bias-signal generator for comparing the output current of the reference converter and the current from the second current source and controlling the bias-signal generator in such a way tht a substantially fixed ratio is maintained between the output currents of the reference converter and the second current source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
An integrated circuit comprising a plurality of voltage-current converters each having an input and output and a bias-signal input for controlling the transconductance of said voltage-current converters by means of a bias signal on said bias-signal input, the transconductances of the voltage-current converters being in a substantially fixed ratio to each other, a bias-signal generator for applying bias signals which are in a substantially fixed ratio to each other to said bias-signal inputs, and a control network for controlling the bias-signal generator in such a way that the transconductances of the voltage-current converters are highly insensitive to process variations and variations in operating conditions, at least one of the voltage-current converters being included in the control network as a reference converter, characterized in that the control network comprises a first and a second current source supplying currents (I 1 and nI 1 respectively) in a substantially fixed ratio to each other, an input coupled to the input of the reference converter for coupling to a reference resistor which input is included in the output circuit of the first current source, and a comparing control amplifier coupled between the output of the reference converter and a control input of the bias-signal generator for comparing the output current of the reference converter and the current from the second current source and controlling the bias-signal generator in such a way tht a substantially fixed ratio is maintained between the output currents of the reference converter and the second current source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bias settings of the voltage-current converters are current controlled, that the control network comprises a current mirror having one input and a multiplicity of outputs, which outputs are coupled to the bias inputs of the voltage-current converters and whose input is included in the drain circuit of a transistor having a gate electrode and connected to the output of the reference converter, and that the first and the second current source comprised of a second current mirror circuit having an input to which a bias current is applied and a a first output connected to the input of the reference converter and of which the second one of the outputs is connected to the output of the reference converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the comparing amplifier comprises a field effect transistor (FET) having a gate electrode coupled to the output of the reference converter, the bias signed generator comprising a first current mirror having an input coupled to the drain circuit of said FET and a plurality of outputs individually coupled to the bias signal inputs of the votage-current converters, and wherein said first and second current sources comprise a second current mirror having an input coupled to a source of voltage and first and second outputs coupled to the input and output, respectfully, of the reference converter.
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) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |