Current comparator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A current comparator, comprising:
- first and second input terminal to which first and second currents to be compared are supplied;
a first current mirror circuit, whose current input terminal is coupled to the first input terminal;
a second current mirror circuit, whose current input terminal is coupled to the second input terminal and whose current output terminal is coupled to an current output terminal of the first current mirror circuit;
a third current mirror circuit, whose current input terminal is coupled to a node of the current output terminals of the first and second current mirror circuits;
a load circuit coupled between a current output terminal of the third current mirror circuit and a terminal to which a first voltage is applied; and
a comparison result output terminal coupled to the load circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Current output terminals of first and second current mirror circuits are connected. An input terminal of a third current mirror circuit is connected to a node of the current output terminals of the first and second current mirror circuits. A load circuit is connected between a current output terminal of the third current mirror circuit and a first voltage. An output terminal is connected to the load circuit. First and second currents to be compared with each other are supplied to current input terminal of the first and second current mirror circuits.
72 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A current comparator, comprising:
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first and second input terminal to which first and second currents to be compared are supplied; a first current mirror circuit, whose current input terminal is coupled to the first input terminal; a second current mirror circuit, whose current input terminal is coupled to the second input terminal and whose current output terminal is coupled to an current output terminal of the first current mirror circuit; a third current mirror circuit, whose current input terminal is coupled to a node of the current output terminals of the first and second current mirror circuits; a load circuit coupled between a current output terminal of the third current mirror circuit and a terminal to which a first voltage is applied; and a comparison result output terminal coupled to the load circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A current comparator, comprising:
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first circuit means, having a first input terminal and a first output terminal, for flowing through the first output terminal a current equivalent to a current supplied to the first input terminal; second circuit means having a second input terminal to which a second current is supplied and a second output terminal coupled to the first output terminal, for flowing the second current through the second output terminal when the first current is larger than the second current and for flowing the first current through the second output terminal when the first current is smaller than the second current; third circuit means having a third output terminal and a third input terminal coupled to a node of the first and second output terminals, for receiving at the third input terminal the difference of the first and second currents and flowing a current equivalent to the difference through the third output terminal when the first current is larger than the second current, and for receiving no current at the third input terminal and for setting the third output terminal to an open state when the first current is smaller than the second current; and a load circuit coupled between the third output terminal and a terminal to which a predetermined voltage is supplied; and a comparison result output terminal coupled to the load circuit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification