VOLTAGE REFERENCE DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- selecting a subset of zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) cells from a plurality of ZTC cells, each of the plurality of ZTC cells configured to provide a substantially constant voltage drop over a temperature range in response to application of a current; and
applying the current to the subset of ZTC cells to generate a reference voltage for an integrated circuit device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage reference module of an integrated circuit device includes a current source to apply a current to a set of voltage cells, thereby generating a voltage drop across each cell. The voltage cells are configured such that the individual voltage drop associated with each cell in response to the application of the current is relatively stable over a temperature range. The voltage reference module generates a voltage based on the voltage drops across the voltage cells, and therefore the generated voltage is also stable over the temperature range. Bypass switches can be connected across each voltage cell whereby the switches can be individually opened and closed to include or exclude cells in generation of the reference voltage. In an embodiment, the switches are set during a trimming process for the integrated circuit device so that the voltage reference module provides a specified voltage.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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selecting a subset of zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) cells from a plurality of ZTC cells, each of the plurality of ZTC cells configured to provide a substantially constant voltage drop over a temperature range in response to application of a current; and applying the current to the subset of ZTC cells to generate a reference voltage for an integrated circuit device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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applying a current to a first zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) cell of a plurality of ZTC cells to generate a first voltage, each of the plurality of ZTC cells configured to configured to provide a substantially constant voltage drop over a temperature range in response to application of the current; altering application of the current to a second ZTC cell of the plurality of ZTC cells in response to determining the first voltage does not match a second voltage within a tolerance; and generating a reference voltage for an integrated circuit device in response to application of the current to the plurality of ZTC cells. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A device comprising:
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an output configured to provide a reference voltage for a functional module of an integrated circuit device; a current source comprising an output configured to provide a current; a first zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) cell having a first terminal coupled to the output, and a second terminal, the first ZTC cell configured to provide a first substantially constant voltage drop over a temperature range; a first switch having a first terminal connected to the first terminal of the first ZTC cell, a second terminal connected to the second terminal of the first ZTC cell, and a control input configured to receive a first control signal, the first switch configured to be placed in an open or closed state based on the first control signal; a second ZTC cell having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first ZTC cell, and a second terminal coupled to a voltage reference, the second ZTC cell configured to provide a second substantially constant voltage drop over the temperature range; and a second switch having a first terminal connected to the first terminal of the second ZTC cell, a second terminal connected to the second terminal of the second ZTC cell, and a control input configured to receive a second control signal, the second switch configured to be placed in an open or closed state based on the second control signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification