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Switchable current source circuit and method

  • US 8,988,143 B2
  • Filed: 03/07/2014
  • Issued: 03/24/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A switching circuit for providing a switched current source output, comprising:

  • a reference voltage input device, which comprises a reference voltage charge storage device;

    a gate voltage charge storage arrangement for storing a precharge voltage derived from the reference voltage;

    a reference current source providing a reference current;

    an output transistor;

    a current sensing transistor for generating a sense current dependent on the current source output and which is supplied by the reference current source;

    an isolating switch arrangement for selectively coupling or isolating the gate of the output transistor and the gate of the current sensing transistor to or from the gate voltage charge storage arrangement;

    a discharge switch arrangement for discharging the gate of the output transistor and the gate of the current sensing transistor;

    a feedback loop for controlling the reference voltage stored on the reference voltage charge storage device to maintain the sense current substantially equal to the reference current.

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