Reference voltage generator

Claim 1

A reference generator having an input and an output for providing a selected output reference voltage at said generator output, said output reference voltage at said generator output being substantially equal to a selected command voltage of a value to be controlled at said generator input with respect to a first supply voltage established with respect to a datum voltage, said generator comprising: input and output current shifting means each having a first and second terminating region and each having a control region therein by which it is capable of being directed, through electrical energization thereof, to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between its first and second terminating regions, said input current shifting means control region being electrically connected to said generator input, said input current shifting means first terminating region being electrically connected to a first terminal means adapted for connection to a source of said first supply voltage, said input current shifting means second terminating region being electrically connected to said output current shifting means second terminating region, said output current shifting means control region being electrically connected to said generator output; a first current determination means having first and second terminating regions between which it exhibits an electrical impedance, said first current determination means first terminating region being electrically connected to both of said input and output current shifting means second terminating regions, said first current determination means second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to a source of said datum voltage; first and second series impedance means each having first and second terminating regions between which it exhibits an electrical impedance, said first series impedance means first terminating region being electrically connected to a third terminal means adapted for electrical connection to a source of a second supply voltage, said first series impedance means second terminating region being electrically connected to said second series impedance means first terminating region, said second series impedance means second terminating region being electrically connected to said output current shifting means first terminating region; a clamping means having first and second terminating regions between which it has a relatively low electrical impedance for voltages thereacross beyond a threshold voltage value, said clamping means first terminating region being electrically connected to both said first series impedance means second terminating region and to said second series impedance means first terminating region, said clamping means second terminating region being electrically connected to said first terminal means; and an output supply means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which it is capable of being directed, through electrical energization thereof, to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between its first and second terminating regions, said output supply means control region being electrically connected to both said second series impedance means second terminating region and said output current shifting means first terminating region, said output supply means first terminating region being electrically connected to a fourth terminal means adapted for connection to a source of a third supply voltage, and said output supply means second terminating region being electrically connected to said generator output.