초록 ▼

An integrated circuit current source (10) has first (16) and second (30) current mirrors regeneratively coupled. The transistors (32, 34) of the second mirror (30) have unequal current densities, so that a resistor (40) connected to the emitter of the lower current density transistor (34) establishe

An integrated circuit current source (10) has first (16) and second (30) current mirrors regeneratively coupled. The transistors (32, 34) of the second mirror (30) have unequal current densities, so that a resistor (40) connected to the emitter of the lower current density transistor (34) establishes a temperature-dependent output current. One of the transistors (18, 20, 34) has its base and emitter connected together through a modifying resistor (42, 53, 55) to modify the temperature dependence of the output. In one embodiment (10), the modifying resistor (42) connects the base and emitter of the lower current density transistor (34) and increases the temperature dependence of the output to make it directly proportional to the absolute temperature. Other embodiments (52, 54) are disclosed for obtaining both zero and negative temperature coefficient values for the output.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus (10, 52, 54) for generating a controlled current, comprising: a first current mirror (16) having first and second current transistors (18, 20) of a first junction polarity, each with a base, an emitter, a collector, and a conductive junction area, the emitters being connected through fi

An apparatus (10, 52, 54) for generating a controlled current, comprising: a first current mirror (16) having first and second current transistors (18, 20) of a first junction polarity, each with a base, an emitter, a collector, and a conductive junction area, the emitters being connected through first and second emitter resistors (26, 28) to a first supply voltage means (12); a second current mirror (30) having third and fourth current transistors (32, 34) of a second junction polarity, opposite to the first polarity, each with a base, an emitter, a collector, and a conductive junction area, the collectors of the first and second current transistors (18, 20) being connected to the collectors of the third and fourth current transistors (32, 34), respectively, to regeneratively couple the first and second current mirrors (16, 30) so that the conductive junction areas of the third and fourth current transistors (32, 34) have unequal current densities, the emitter of the third current transistor (32) being connected to a second supply voltage means (14); and a current-setting resistor (40) connecting the emitter of the fourth current transistor (34) to the second supply voltage (14); characterized by a modifying resistor (42, 53, 55) connecting together the base and emitter of one of the first (18), second (20), or fourth (34) current transistors and passing a temperature-dependent modifying current for modifying the temperature dependence of the collector current of the fourth current transistor (34).