Voltage reference circuit with feedback circuit

Claim 1

A circuit for developing a predetermined value of reference potential between first and second terminals comprising: a pair of transistors; first and second resistances; means connecting said pair of transistors and said first and second resistances in circuit between said first and second terminals for operating said pair of transistors at different emitter current densities to develop a difference between their respective base-emitter potentials, wherein said first resistance is connected for receiving said difference potential and said second resistance is connected for receiving said difference potential increased in proportion to the resistances of said first and second resistances, and wherein at least the potential across said second resistance is summed with the conduction potential of at least one semiconductor junction to develop said reference potential between said first and second terminals; regulating means, coupled between said first and second terminals to conduct a controlled current therebetween, for maintaining said reference potential at said predetermined value by increasing and decreasing said controlled current flowing between said first and second terminals in response to said reference potential departing from said predetermined value in increasing and decreasing senses, respectively, wherein said regulating means provides a degenerative (negative) feedback connection; and control means for maintaining said reference potential at said predetermined value by controlling the potential across said second resistance in response to said controlled current flowing through said regulating means, wherein said control means provides a regenerative (positive) feedback connection.