Methods and circuits for more accurately mirroring current over a wide range of input current
First Claim
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1. A circuit that sinks or sources output current responsive to input current, wherein the output current is proportional to the input current, the circuit comprising:
- a first current mirror having a first current range, the first current range having a maximum range magnitude;
a second current mirror having a second current range; and
an initiation circuit coupled to the first and second current mirrors, the initiation circuit configured automatically to (1) detect when the magnitude of the input current equals or exceeds a maximum current level and (2) activate the second current mirror responsive thereto.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises methods and circuits for mirroring input current in multiple stages to improve the accuracy of the mirrored output current over a wide dynamic range of input current. The current mirror circuit of the present invention automatically (1) detects an increasing magnitude of input current and (2) adapts the current mirror circuit to accommodate the increasing magnitude.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A circuit that sinks or sources output current responsive to input current, wherein the output current is proportional to the input current, the circuit comprising:
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a first current mirror having a first current range, the first current range having a maximum range magnitude;
a second current mirror having a second current range; and
an initiation circuit coupled to the first and second current mirrors, the initiation circuit configured automatically to (1) detect when the magnitude of the input current equals or exceeds a maximum current level and (2) activate the second current mirror responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for sourcing or sinking output current responsive to input current, wherein the output current is proportional to the input current, the method comprising:
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providing a first current mirror having a first current range, the first current range having a maximum range magnitude, and a second current mirror having a second current range;
mirroring the input current with the first current mirror;
automatically detecting when the magnitude of the input current equals or exceeds a maximum current level;
automatically activating the second current mirror responsive to detection that the magnitude of the input current equals or exceeds the maximum current level; and
mirroring at least a fraction of the input current with the second current mirror. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification