Bandgap reference circuit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit comprising:
- a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node;
an output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing at least one reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts; and
a startup unit connected to the first and second current source transistors and the first and second control transistors for influencing the first current and the second current.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reference circuit generates a reference voltage from a supply voltage. The reference circuit includes a current generating unit for generating generated currents. An output unit of the reference circuit generates the reference voltage based on the generated currents. A startup unit of the reference circuit allows the reference voltage to switch between different voltages levels in different modes.
98 Citations
61 Claims
-
1. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node;
an output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing at least one reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts; and
a startup unit connected to the first and second current source transistors and the first and second control transistors for influencing the first current and the second current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node; and
an output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing at least one reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts, wherein the output unit includes an output transistor connected to the current mirror, and an output control transistor and an output resistive element connected in series between the output control transistor and the second supply node, wherein one of the first, second, and output control transistors is a vertical bipolar transistor having triple-well structure.
-
-
8. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node;
a first output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing a first reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range; and
a second output unit connected to the current mirror for providing a second reference voltage.
-
-
9. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node;
an output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing at least one reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range;
a transistor connected to the current mirror; and
an output current mirror connected to the transistor for providing a second reference voltage referenced to a voltage at the first supply node.
-
-
10. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node;
an output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing at least one reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts; and
a startup unit connected to the current mirror and the first and second control transistors for allowing the reference voltage to switch between a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level.
-
-
11. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node for receiving a first supply voltage and a second supply node for receiving a second supply voltage;
a current mirror connected to the first supply node for providing a first current to a first internal node and a second current to a second internal node;
a first control transistor connected between the first internal node and a second supply node, the first control transistor and a portion of the current mirror forming a path between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the path includes only two transistors;
a second control transistor and a resistive element connected in series between the second internal node and the second supply node;
an output unit connected to the current mirror, the output unit including at least one output node for providing at least one reference voltage independent from variations in one of the first and second voltages and independent from variations in a temperature range; and
a startup unit connected to the current mirror and the first and second control transistors for allowing the reference voltage to switch between a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level, wherein the startup unit includes a capacitor and transistor combination connected to the first internal node for influencing the first and second currents.
-
-
12. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors; and
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating a first bandgap reference voltage and a second bandgap reference voltage different from the first bandgap voltage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors;
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating at least one bandgap reference voltage; and
a second output unit connected to the current generating unit for generating a second bandgap reference voltage.
-
-
21. A circuit comprising:
-
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors;
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating at least one bandgap reference voltage; and
a second output unit connected to the current generating unit for generating a second bandgap reference voltage, wherein the second output unit includes an output current mirror.
-
-
22. A circuit comprising:
-
a first current source transistor having a source connected to a first supply node, a drain connected to a first internal node, and a gate connected to a second internal node;
a second current source transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, and a drain and a gate connected together at the second internal node;
a first control transistor having a base and a collector connected together at the first internal node, and an emitter connected to a second supply node;
a second control transistor having a base connected to the first internal node, a collector connected to the second internal node, and an emitter;
a first resistive element connected between the emitter of the second control transistor and the second supply node;
an output transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, a gate connected to the second internal node, and a drain connected to an output node to provide a reference voltage;
an output control transistor having a base and a collector connected together, and an emitter connected to the second supply node;
an output resistive element connected between the collector of the output control transistor and the output node; and
a startup unit connected to the first and second current source transistors and the first and second control transistors for influencing currents sourced by the first and second source transistors. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A circuit comprising:
-
a first current source transistor having a source connected to a first supply node, a drain connected to a first internal node, and a gate connected to a second internal node;
a second current source transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, and a drain and a gate connected together at the second internal node;
a first control transistor having a base and a collector connected together at the first internal node, and an emitter connected to a second supply node;
a second control transistor having a base connected to the first internal node, a collector connected to the second internal node, and an emitter;
a first resistive element connected between the emitter of the second control transistor and the second supply node;
an output transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, a gate connected to the second internal node, and a drain connected to an output node to provide a reference voltage;
an output control transistor having a base and a collector connected together, and an emitter connected to the second supply node; and
an output resistive element connected between the collector of the output control transistor and the output node, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts, wherein the first, second, and output control transistors are NPN bipolar transistors, and—
has been added before “
wherein”
;
wherein at least one of the NPN bi-polar transistors is a vertical NPN bi-polar transistor having a triple-well structure.
-
-
27. A circuit comprising:
-
a first current source transistor having a source connected to a first supply node, a drain connected to a first internal node, and a gate connected to a second internal node;
a second current source transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, and a drain and a gate connected together at the second internal node;
a first control transistor having a base and a collector connected together at the first internal node, and an emitter connected to a second supply node;
a second control transistor having a base connected to the first internal node, a collector connected to the second internal node, and an emitter;
a first resistive element connected between the emitter of the second control transistor and the second supply node;
an output transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, a gate connected to the second internal node, and a drain connected to an output node;
an output control transistor having a base and a collector connected together, and an emitter connected to the second supply node;
an output resistive element connected between the collector of the output control transistor and the output node; and
a second output unit connected to the first and second supply nodes and the second internal nodes for providing a second reference voltage.
-
-
28. A circuit comprising:
-
a first current source transistor having a source connected to a first supply node, a drain connected to a first internal node, and a gate connected to a second internal node;
a second current source transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, and a drain and a gate connected together at the second internal node;
a first control transistor having a base and a collector connected together at the first internal node, and an emitter connected to a second supply node;
a second control transistor having a base connected to the first internal node, a collector connected to the second internal node, and an emitter;
a first resistive element connected between the emitter of the second control transistor and the second supply node;
an output transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, a gate connected to the second internal node, and a drain connected to an output node;
an output control transistor having a base and a collector connected together, and an emitter connected to the second supply node;
an output resistive element connected between the collector of the output control transistor and the output node; and
a transistor and a current mirror combination connected to the first and second supply nodes and the second internal node for providing a second reference voltage referenced to a voltage at the first supply node.
-
-
29. A circuit comprising:
-
a first current source transistor having a source connected to a first supply node, a drain connected to a first internal node, and a gate connected to a second internal node;
a second current source transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, and a drain and a gate connected together at the second internal node;
a first control transistor having a base and a collector connected together at the first internal node, and an emitter connected to a second supply node;
a second control transistor having a base connected to the first internal node, a collector connected to the second internal node, and an emitter;
a first resistive element connected between the emitter of the second control transistor and the second supply node;
an output transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, a gate connected to the second internal node, and a drain connected to an output node to provide a reference voltage;
an output control transistor having a base and a collector connected together, and an emitter connected to the second supply node;
an output resistive element connected between the collector of the output control transistor and the output node, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts; and
a startup unit connected to the first and second current source transistors and the first and second control transistors for influencing currents sourced by the first and second source transistors.
-
-
30. A circuit comprising:
-
a first current source transistor having a source connected to a first supply node, a drain connected to a first internal node, and a gate connected to a second internal node;
a second current source transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, and a drain and a gate connected together at the second internal node;
a first control transistor having a base and a collector connected together at the first internal node, and an emitter connected to a second supply node;
a second control transistor having a base connected to the first internal node, a collector connected to the second internal node, and an emitter;
a first resistive element connected between the emitter of the second control transistor and the second supply node;
an output transistor having a source connected to the first supply node, a gate connected to the second internal node, and a drain connected to an output node;
an output control transistor having a base and a collector connected together, and an emitter connected to the second supply node;
an output resistive element connected between the collector of the output control transistor and the output node;
a startup unit connected to the first and second current source transistors and the first and second control transistors for influencing currents sourced by the first and second source transistors, wherein the startup unit includes a capacitor and a first transistor combination connected to the first internal node for influencing the currents sourced by the first and second source transistors. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A regulator comprising:
-
a reference circuit for receiving a supply voltage for generating a reference voltage; and
a power unit connected to the reference circuit for generating at least one internal voltage, wherein the reference circuit includes;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors;
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating the reference voltage; and
a startup unit connected to the current generating unit for allowing the reference voltage to switch between a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (35)
-
-
36. A regulator comprising:
-
a reference circuit for receiving a supply voltage for generating a reference voltage; and
a power unit connected to the reference circuit for generating at least one internal voltage, wherein the reference circuit includes;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors;
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating the reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts; and
a startup unit connected to the current generating unit for allowing the reference voltage to switch between a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level.
-
-
37. A regulator comprising:
-
a reference circuit for receiving a supply voltage for generating a reference voltage; and
a power unit connected to the reference circuit for generating at least one internal voltage, wherein the reference circuit includes;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors; and
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating the reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts, and wherein the power unit includes at least one amplifying unit for amplifying the reference voltage to generate the internal voltage.
-
-
38. A memory device comprising:
-
a memory array; and
a voltage regulator connected to the memory array for supplying an internal voltage to the memory array, the voltage regulator including a reference circuit for generating a reference voltage to influence the internal voltage, the reference circuit including;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors; and
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating the reference voltage; and
a startup unit connected to the current generating unit for allowing the reference voltage to switch between a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (39)
-
-
40. A memory device comprising:
-
a memory array; and
a voltage regulator connected to the memory array for supplying an internal voltage to the memory array, the voltage regulator including a reference circuit for generating a reference voltage to influence the internal voltage, the reference circuit including;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors;
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating the reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts; and
a startup unit connected to the current generating unit for allowing the reference voltage to switch between a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level.
-
-
41. A memory device comprising:
-
a memory array; and
a voltage regulator connected to the memory array for supplying at least one internal voltage to the memory array, the voltage regulator including a reference circuit for generating a reference voltage to influence the internal voltage, the reference circuit including;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors; and
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating the reference voltage, wherein the regulator further includes at least one amplifying unit for amplifying the reference voltage to generate the at least one internal voltage.
-
-
42. A system comprising:
-
a processor; and
a memory device connected to the processor, the memory device including a memory array and a voltage regulator for providing an internal voltage to the memory array, the voltage regulator including a reference circuit, the reference circuit including;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors; and
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating multiple bandgap reference voltages. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
-
-
45. A system comprising:
-
a processor; and
a memory device connected to the processor, the memory device including a memory array and a voltage regulator for providing at least one internal voltage to the memory array, the voltage regulator including a reference circuit, the reference circuit including;
a first supply node and a second supply node;
a current generating unit connected to the first and second supply nodes for providing a generated current, the current generating unit including a current path connected between the first and second supply nodes, wherein the current path includes only two transistors; and
an output unit connected to the current generating unit for receiving a version of the generated current for generating at least one bandgap reference voltage, wherein the voltage regulator further includes at least one amplifying unit for amplifying the at least one bandgap reference voltage to generate the at least one internal voltage.
-
-
46. A method comprising:
-
generating a generated current in a current path of a current generating unit having elements with positive temperature coefficient and elements with negative temperature coefficient, the current path having only two transistors connected in series between a first supply node and a second supply node, wherein generating the generated current includes influencing the generated current allow the reference voltage to switch from a first stable voltage level to a second stable voltage level, and stopping the influencing the generated current when the reference voltage reaches the second stable voltage level;
generating at least one reference current based on the generated current; and
generating at least one reference voltage based on the reference current. - View Dependent Claims (47)
-
-
48. A method comprising:
-
generating a generated current in a current path of a current generating unit having elements with positive temperature coefficient and elements with negative temperature coefficient, the current path having only two transistors connected in series between a first supply node and a second supply node;
generating at least one reference current based on the generated current; and
generating at least one reference voltage based on the reference current, wherein the reference voltage has a first stable voltage level and a second stable voltage level lower than the first stable voltage level, and wherein the reference voltage is at the first stable voltage level when one of the supply nodes has a voltage of about 1.3 volts. - View Dependent Claims (49)
-
-
50. A method comprising:
-
generating a generated current in a current path of a current generating unit having elements with positive temperature coefficient and elements with negative temperature coefficient, the current path having only two transistors connected in series between a first supply node and a second supply node;
generating at least one reference current based on the generated current;
generating at least one reference voltage based on the one reference current; and
generating a second reference voltage. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
-
-
53. A method comprising:
-
generating a generated current in a current path of a current generating unit having elements with positive temperature coefficient and elements with negative temperature coefficient, the current path having only two transistors connected in series between a first supply node and a second supply node;
generating at least one reference current based on the generated current; and
generating at least one reference voltage based on the reference current, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts, wherein generating the generated current includes;
influencing the generated current allow the reference voltage to switch from a first stable voltage level to a second stable voltage level; and
stopping the influencing the generated current when the reference voltage reaches the second stable voltage level.
-
-
54. A method comprising:
-
sourcing a first current using a first transistor connected directly to a supply node;
passing the first current directly through a first control transistor connected directly to a second supply node;
sourcing a second current using a second transistor connected directly to the first supply node;
passing the second current directly through a combination of a second control transistor and a resistive element connected to the second supply node;
generating a reference current based on the first and second currents; and
generating a reference voltage based on the reference current, wherein generating the reference voltage includes influencing the first and second current to allow the reference voltage to switch from a low stable voltage level to a high second stable voltage level, and stopping the influencing the first and second currents when the reference voltage reaches the high stable voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (55)
-
-
56. A method comprising:
-
sourcing a first current using a first transistor connected directly to a supply node;
passing the first current directly through a first control transistor connected directly to a second supply node;
sourcing a second current using a second transistor connected directly to the first supply node;
passing the second current directly through a combination of a second control transistor and a resistive element connected to the second supply node;
generating a reference current based on the first and second currents; and
generating a reference voltage based on the reference current, wherein the reference voltage has a low stable voltage level and a high stable voltage level higher than the low stable voltage level, and wherein the reference voltage is at the high stable voltage level when one of the supply nodes has a voltage of about 1.3 volts. - View Dependent Claims (57)
-
-
58. A method comprising:
-
sourcing a first current using a first transistor connected directly to a supply node;
passing the first current directly through a first control transistor connected directly to a second supply node;
sourcing a second current using a second transistor connected directly to the first supply node;
passing the second current directly through a combination of a second control transistor and a resistive element connected to the second supply node;
generating a reference current based on the first and second currents; and
generating a reference voltage based on the reference current, wherein the reference voltage includes a stable voltage level when one of the first and second supply nodes includes a voltage of about 1.3 volts to about 1.5 volts, wherein generating the reference voltage includes;
influencing the first and second current to allow the reference voltage to switch from a low stable voltage level to a high second stable voltage level; and
stopping the influencing the first and second currents when the reference voltage reaches the high stable voltage level.
-
-
59. A method comprising:
-
sourcing a first current using a first transistor connected directly to a supply node;
passing the first current directly through a first control transistor connected directly to a second supply node;
sourcing a second current using a second transistor connected directly to the first supply node;
passing the second current directly through a combination of a second control transistor and a resistive element connected to the second supply node;
generating a reference current based on the first and second currents; and
generating a reference voltage based on the reference current; and
generating a second reference voltage. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61)
-
Specification