Electronic circuit and method for generating gradient current signals

Abstract

To provide a reproducible gradient current signal at an arbitrary short timing with an integrated structure.SOLUTION: The invention relates to an electronic circuit (10) configured to generate a gradient current signal for a receiver circuit (30), comprising: - a first current cell (20) comprising a first current source (55), a trigger input (25) activating the first current source (55) and a trigger output (26), - a second current cell (21) comprising a second current source (55'), a trigger input (25) activating the second current source (55') and a trigger output (26), the trigger output (26) of the first current cell (20) is connected to the trigger input (25) of the second current cell (21), and a current source (24) connected to the input of the receiver circuit (30) and selectively connectable to either the first current source (55) or the second current source (55 ').SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] In one aspect, the present invention relates to the field of electronic circuits, and more specifically to an electronic circuit configured or operable to generate or provide a ramp current signal for a receiver circuit such as a regenerative receiver. Background Art

[0002] To generate a ramp current signal or bias signal that may be useful for the operation of a regenerative receiver, such as a regenerative receiver or a super-regenerative receiver, it is typically necessary to generate a voltage ramp and convert this ramp signal via a voltage-to-current converter. However, such an approach is limited by additional converter noise and reduced converter linearity, especially when the supply voltage is low. Moreover, in applications using regenerative receivers, particularly in applications using so-called super-regenerative receivers, generating such a current ramp must be supplemented with a system for measuring the start-up time and converting the start-up time into the digital domain using, for example, a time-to-digital converter. Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an accurate and fully reproducible ramp current signal with any short timing in an integrated structure to overcome the drawbacks described above. It is a particular object to provide an electronic circuit that is smaller in size, reasonably priced, or can be manufactured at low cost. Means for Solving the Problem

[0004] The above object is solved and properly addressed by the electronic circuit according to the features of the independent claim, by the regenerative receiver, and by the method for generating a ramp current signal. Various embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an electronic circuit configured to generate a gradient current signal for a receiver circuit, such as a regenerative receiver implemented as a so-called super-regenerative receiver. The electronic circuit comprises a first current cell, the first current cell comprising a first current source, a trigger input for activating the first current source, and a trigger output.

[0006] The electronic circuit further comprises a second current cell. The second current cell comprises a second current source, a trigger input for activating the second current source, and a trigger output. The trigger output of the first current cell is connected to the trigger input of the second current cell. The electronic circuit further comprises a current source connected to the supply input of the receiver circuit.

[0007] The current source can be connected to, or is connected to, either a first current source or a second current source. Specifically, the current source may be connected in parallel to all available current cells. In this way, the first current provided by the first current source of the first current cell and the second current provided by the second current source of the second current cell may both be supplied to the current source. The total current supplied by the current source to the receiver circuit may consist of the sum of the first current obtained from the first current source and the second current obtained from the second current source.

[0008] The electronic circuit may include dependent connections or chains of individual current cells. To that extent, the first and second current cells may be made up of other current cells, such as a third current cell, a fourth current cell, and so on. The total number of current cells may be many, such as 8 current cells, 16 current cells, 32 current cells, 54 current cells, 128 current cells, 256 current cells, 1024 current cells, and so on.

[0009] Typically, the first current cell may be activated or switched on by providing a first signal to its trigger input, so that the current supplied by the first current source to the current source is always connected to or supplied to the current source toward the receiver circuit. The trigger signal may then pass through the first current cell and be present at its trigger output. Since the trigger output of the first current cell is connected to the second current cell, the second current cell may also be activated in a dependent connection between the first and second current cells.

[0010] Accordingly, when a signal is received at the trigger input of the second current cell, the second current source may be activated and, accordingly, add the corresponding current to the current source. As a result, the total current supplied by the current source increases by the amount of the second current. A cascaded connection of numerous current sources of numerous current cells may then continue until the total current supplied to the current source reaches the final current or reference current.

[0011] In this way, the activation of the second current cell is performed via the trigger output of the first current cell with a certain time delay or transition time, so that the current source provides a gradient current signal and an increasing current signal over time.

[0012] Using electronic circuits as described herein, a current gradient can be provided by triggering a set of integrated current sources in a controlled manner, and in accordance with a so-called temperature measurement chain. This makes it possible to obtain a current gradient of a constant slope from the current source. The trigger system is provided by a chain or cascaded connection of individual current cells, the transition time of which may be controlled by a control signal. Depending on the current source of the current cell, a linear gradient signal can be provided, but any other continuous current signal and current source can also be provided.

[0013] In other examples, the supply current of the first current cell is the same as the supply current of the second current cell. Therefore, the supply current provided by some current cells, or each current cell, may be equal to the supply current of any other current cell. In this way, a current source can provide a linearly continuous gradient current signal, provided that the transition time of each current cell, i.e., the time required for the trigger signal received at the trigger input to reach the corresponding trigger output through the corresponding current cell, may be substantially equal for all current cells.

[0014] In other examples, the supply current of the first current cell is distinguished from the supply current of the second current cell. By individually designing the distinct current sources of the first and second current cells, any desired current gradient signal can be provided by selectively or sequentially activating numerous current cells in the electronic circuit.

[0015] In another example, each current cell in the first and second current cells includes a buffer that, after a predetermined transition time has elapsed, transmits the input signal at the trigger input to the trigger output of the corresponding current cell. In this way, the chain or cascaded connection of individual current cells does not activate or switch on simultaneously; rather, each cell activates after the other cells and after a predetermined transition time has elapsed. The predetermined transition time can be adjusted to obtain a gradient current signal of a desired shape.

[0016] In another example of an electronic circuit, the current source of a corresponding current cell is connected to the current source when a signal is provided at the trigger input of that particular current cell. Thus, when either the first or second current cell is activated by a signal at its trigger input, the current source of the corresponding current cell is connected to the current source. When a signal is provided at the trigger input, the current source of the corresponding current cell is activated and remains activated. Furthermore, by providing a trigger signal at the trigger input of either the first or second current cell, the current source of the corresponding current cell is connected to the current source, and the current supplied by the corresponding current cell is added to the total current that the current source provides to the receiver circuit.

[0017] In another example, each current cell of the first current cell and the second current cell is provided with a logic unit. The logic unit is provided with a interruption input and an interruption output. The signal at the interruption output indicates the activation of a current source. The signal at the interruption output may be provided with or represent a corresponding flag signal. In this way, the logic unit can be used to immediately indicate, at the interruption output, the activation between any current sources of the first current cell or the second current cell and / or the electrical connection to the current source between any current sources of the first current cell or the second current cell.

[0018] In this way, the interruption output can provide a digital signal indicating the activation of a current source for a specific current, and / or the contribution of a particular current cell's current source to the total current available to the current source. In this way, by simply counting the number of signals at the interruption output of the activated current cell, a digital value representing the total current supplied at the moment of the interruption in the start-up time can be derived.

[0019] In other examples, each current cell in the first and second current cells is equipped with a logic unit. The logic unit is equipped with a interruption input. In response to receiving an interruption signal at the interruption input, the logic unit is operable to disconnect the current source from the trigger input. To that extent, a trigger chain consisting of several current cells can be interrupted. Even if the trigger signal may be further propagated from one current cell to the other current cell to provide a signal to the trigger input of a selected current cell, the corresponding current cell can be disconnected or cut off from the trigger signal. At that time, the trigger signal at the corresponding trigger input no longer has the effect of activating the current source.

[0020] In some examples, all current cells in an electronic circuit are equipped with logic units as described above and have interruption inputs. In some examples, all interruption inputs of all current cells may be activated, for example, by receiving a corresponding interruption signal. In this case, the electronic circuit may "deactivate" and the current source may continue to provide a constant current. The cascaded connection or chain of the trigger inputs and trigger outputs of individual current cells may be disconnected from the individual current sources, so that the trigger sequence can continue and no longer affect the generation of output current in the current source.

[0021] In another example, a logic unit can be coupled to a trigger input and operated to provide a flag signal at the interrupt output in response to an input signal at the trigger input. By counting the number of flag signals at the interrupt output in this way, the logic unit can directly derive the number of current cells that have been activated to reach or obtain a gradient current signal of a predetermined amplitude, intensity, or magnitude.

[0022] In another manner, the disclosure also relates to a regenerative receiver. The regenerative receiver comprises a receiver circuit having a supply input. The regenerative receiver also comprises electronics as described above. In this case, the current source of the electronics as described above is connected to the supply input of the receiver circuit. Since the regenerative receiver comprises electronics as described above, all the features, effects, and advantages described above in relation to the electronics apply equally to the regenerative receiver.

[0023] In another example, the regenerative receiver further comprises an oscillator detector connected to a feedback line. The oscillator detector is further configured or operable to generate and transmit a feedback signal to the feedback line when the current at the supply input is equal to or exceeds the current required for the regenerative receiver to oscillate.

[0024] The feedback signal provided to the electronic circuit via the feedback line may be operable to disable operation of the electronic circuit and stop the current signal from continuing to increase at the current source.

[0025] According to another example, a regenerative receiver comprises an electronic circuit comprising a logic operation device as described above. The feedback line is connected to the interruption inputs of a first current cell and a second current cell of the electronic circuit. In other examples, the feedback line may be connected to all interruption inputs of all current cells of the electronic circuit. In this way, when providing an interruption signal via the feedback line, the trigger input of all current cells or selected current cells can be disconnected from the corresponding current supply source of the corresponding current cell. In this way, the electronic circuit can be disabled, and the current as provided by the current supply side has a constant level and may be maintained.

[0026] In some examples, individual current cells of an electronic circuit, and specifically the logic operation device of the corresponding current cell, may comprise an enable input. The logic operation device may be operable to switch off the current supply source and / or disconnect the current supply source from the current source in response to receiving a reset signal via the enable input. The enable input of the logic operation device may comprise an enable signal that may operate and may be operable to activate the current supply source and / or connect the current supply source to the current source in response to the logic operation device receiving a trigger signal from the trigger input of a specific current cell.

[0027] According to another aspect, the present disclosure also relates to a method for generating a ramp current signal for a receiver circuit. The method comprises the step of activating a first current supply of a first current cell of an electronic circuit as described above. The first current supply is activated via a trigger input of the first current cell. Thereafter, a second current supply of a second current cell is activated via a trigger input of the second current cell, wherein the trigger input of the second current cell is connected to a trigger output of the first current cell. A current source for a receiver circuit as described above in connection with the electronic circuit is further connected to the first current supply and the second current supply.

[0028] In the present context, "activating a current supply" may be the same as connecting an already activated current supply to the current source. Therefore, the process of activating a current supply may be performed by simply connecting the current supply to the current source to provide a corresponding supply current to the receiver circuit. The method for generating a ramp current signal as described herein should, in particular, be or is performed in an electronic circuit and / or a regenerative receiver as described above. To that extent, all effects, features and advantages described above in connection with the electronic circuit and / or the regenerative receiver apply equally to the method for generating a ramp current signal, and vice versa.

[0029] According to another example, the second current supply of the second current cell is activated by a trigger signal transmitted from the trigger output of the first current cell to the trigger input of the second current cell. To that extent, individual current cells and corresponding current supplies are activated sequentially by a chain or cascade connection of the individual current cells. Correspondingly, the first current cell is activated by a first trigger signal and the trigger input of the first current cell.

[0030] After a transition time or delay, the corresponding trigger signal is transmitted to the trigger output of the first current cell and therefore to the trigger input of the second current cell. In response to receiving the signal at the trigger input of the second current cell, the second current source is activated and adds the corresponding current to the current source. This cascaded connection or chain of activations of numerous current cells propagates and continues until the logic unit receives an interruption signal via its interruption input.

[0031] In another example, an input signal at the trigger input of any of the first and second current cells is transmitted to the corresponding trigger output of the first or second current cell after a predetermined transition time has elapsed. The transition time may be adjustable and may define the total time required for the gradient current signal to reach a reference amplitude of a predetermined size.

[0032] In another example, the method comprises the step of deriving or determining a slope time interval in the digital domain by counting the number of activated current cells or activated current sources. The step of counting the number of activated current cells may be provided or supported by the logic units of individual electronic circuits. In this case, the interruption output of each logic unit of each current cell may directly indicate the activation of the current source of that particular cell. By counting the number of activated current cells, for example by counting flag signals at the individual interruption outputs of the logic units of individual current cells, a digital number representing the number of activated current cells and / or activated current sources can be provided.

[0033] By using knowledge of transition times and integrating the transition time with the number of activated current cells, the total time interval required to reach the desired amplitude in a gradient current signal can be provided quite easily and directly in the digital domain.

[0034] In the following sections, numerous examples of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] The diagram below shows an example of a regenerative receiver configuration. [Figure 2] An example of a current cell in the electronic circuit of a receiver is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Figure 1 shows a regenerative receiver 1. The regenerative receiver 1 includes a receiver circuit 30, for example, in the form of a super-regenerative receiver. The regenerative receiver 1 comprises the receiver circuit 30 and an electronic circuit 10. The electronic circuit 10 is configured to supply a gradient current signal or gradient current to the receiver circuit 30 in order to start the operation of the receiver circuit 30. The receiver circuit 30 includes, among other things, an oscillator detector 32. The supply input 31 is connected to a current source 24 of the electronic circuit 10. The oscillator detector 32 may include an analog circuit that can be operated to detect oscillations in the regenerative receiver 30.

[0037] If the current at the supply input 31 should be greater than or equal to the current required for the regenerative receiver to oscillate, the oscillator detector 32 is configured to generate a feedback signal and provide it to the electronic circuit 10 via the feedback line 35. Upon receiving such a feedback signal via the feedback line 35, the electronic circuit 10 may cease to operate and stop the generation or progression of the increasing current at the current source 24.

[0038] The electronic circuit 10 comprises numerous current cells 20, 21, and 22. Each current cell 20, 21, and 22 has a structure similar to, or identical to, the structure illustrated in Figure 2. Each current cell 20, 21, and 22 is equipped with current sources 55, 55', and 55''. Furthermore, each current cell 20, 21, and 22 is connected to the current source 24 via a current output 60. The individual current cells 20, 21, and 22 are arranged and connected in parallel to the current source 24. In this way, each current cell 20, 21, and 22 may provide a current cell-specific current that is added to the main current in the current source 24.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, each current cell 20(21, 22) is provided with a current source 55, a trigger input 25, and a trigger output 26. The individual current cells 20, 21, 22 of the electronic circuit 10 are arranged to form a cascaded array 11 or chain of current cells 20, 21, 22. The chain is formed by connecting the trigger output 26 of the first current cell 20 to the trigger input 25 of the second current cell 21.

[0040] The corresponding trigger output 26 of the second current cell 21 is connected to the trigger input 25 of the third current cell 22, and so on. In the example in Figure 1, only three current cells 20, 21, and 22 are shown for simplicity. The number of individual current cells 20, 21, and 22 can be arbitrarily expanded to more than 20, more than 50, more than 100, more than 200, more than 500, or more than 1,000.

[0041] The trigger input 25 is connected to the trigger output 26 via a buffer 40. The buffer 40 comprises a first inverter 41 connected in series with a second inverter 42. The first inverter 41 is further connected to a buffer current supply source 44. The output of the first inverter 41 and the input of the second inverter 42 are interconnected. The output of the second inverter 42 is connected to the trigger output 26.

[0042] The node located between the output of the first inverter 41 and the input of the second inverter 42 is connected to a buffer capacitor 43, which is connected to ground at its opposite end.

[0043] The trigger signal trig_k present at trigger input 25 can propagate through buffer 40 with a predetermined delay. The rising slope of the trigger signal trig_k generates a logic zero at the output of the first inverter 41, which may discharge buffer capacitor 43 via buffer current supply source 44. This discharge process causes the voltage at the input of the second inverter 42 to decrease at a certain rate, and when it reaches the switching voltage of the second inverter 42, the output of the second inverter 42 changes its output state from low to high.

[0044] Accordingly, after a predetermined transition time has elapsed in the buffer 40, a trigger signal trig_k+1 is generated at the trigger output 26. The transition time defines a certain discrete time interval during which the sum of one or more individual currents produced and provided by the individual current cells 20, 21, and 22 reaches the total current provided by the current source 24. The duration of the transition time may be controlled by adjusting the buffer current source 44.

[0045] Each of the current cells 20, 21, and 22 is equipped with a logic unit 50. The logic unit 50 operates on the rising edge of the trigger signal trig_k. Thus, the logic unit 50 can process the trigger input 25 in such a way as to switch on the first current source 55 and / or connect the first current source 55 to the current output 60, which is connected to the current source 24 and provides an output current iout_k+1.

[0046] As illustrated in detail in Figure 2, the current source 55 may be programmable and may provide a current of a predetermined amplitude or size. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 2, the current source 55 comprises a PMOS transistor in series with another PMOS transistor 54. The added PMOS transistor 54 acts as a switch for switching the current source 55, and therefore for activating the current source 55 to supply current to the current output 60.

[0047] The logic unit 50 comprises a first gate 51, a second gate 52, and a third gate 53. The logic unit 50 further comprises an inverter 56. In addition, the logic unit 50 comprises a interruption input 27 and a current cell activation indicator output 28. Each interruption input 27 of current cells 20, 21, and 22 can be connected to a feedback line 35. The feedback line 35 may provide a su_detb signal to the interruption input 27. Gates 51, 52, and 53 are all implemented as NAND gates. Implementing them as NAND gates has the advantage of implementing such logic structures with a relatively small number of transistors. Therefore, implementing them as NAND gates is particularly suitable for miniaturization.

[0048] As illustrated in Figure 2, the trigger input 25 is connected to the first input of the first gate 51, and the interrupt input 27 is connected to the second input of the gate 51. The output of gate 51 is connected to the input of the second gate 52. The other input of the second gate 52 is connected to the gate of the switching transistor 54. The output of the second gate 52 is connected to the input of the third gate 53. Another input of the third gate 53 is connected to an activation input en, which may be controllable by the receiver circuit 30. The output of the third gate 53 is connected to the gate of the switching transistor 54. The input of the inverter 56 is also connected to the gate of the switching transistor 54, and the output of the inverter 56 is connected to a current cell activation index output 28, which can detect the step_k+1 signal, and thus the number of activated current cells, or form the current cell activation index output 28.

[0049] In the initial configuration, when the electronic circuit 10 is in idle mode before startup, the trigger input 25 does not yet provide the trigger signal trig_k. The su_detb signal is initially at logic 1. Accordingly, in the initial state of the current cell 20, the output of the first gate 51 is logic 1. The gate of the switching transistor 54 is also at logic 1, just as the output of the second gate 52 is at logic 0. Since the electronic circuit 10 is in operating mode, the enable signal en is at logic 1.

[0050] Accordingly, the output of the third gate 53 is also in logic 1. Since the current cell activation indicator output 28 is connected to the gate of the switching transistor 54 via the inverter 56, there is no signal at all in the current cell activation indicator output 28.

[0051] Next, when the electronic circuit 10 is activated to generate a gradient current signal, a trigger signal trig_k is provided to the trigger input 25. By toggling the trigger input 25 from logic 0 to logic 1, logic 0 is generated at the output of the first gate 51. This logic 0 then generates logic 1 at the output of the second gate 52, and induces the generation of logic 0 at the output of the third gate 53. By switching the gate of the PMOS switch 54 from logic 1 to logic 0, the current supply source 55 is activated, and the switch 54 is activated so that the current supply source 55 provides a current source-specific current to the current output 60. Furthermore, the logic 0 at the gate of the switching transistor 54 is transmitted via the inverter 56 at the current cell activation indicator output 28 to become logic 1.

[0052] Therefore, the current cell activation index output 28 generates a flag signal step_k+1 indicating that the current supply source 55 has been switched on or activated.

[0053] As already shown above, by providing the trigger signal trig_k to the trigger input 25, the corresponding trigger signal trig_k+1 is generated at the trigger output 26, and after a predetermined transition time interval has elapsed, the trigger signal trig_k+1 is generated at the output. Subsequently, the current supply source 55' undergoes the same transition and adds the corresponding additional current to the current source 24.

[0054] Numerous current cells 20, 21, 22 are connected in cascade, and each current cell 20, 21, 22 adds its own current to the current source 24 until the oscillation detector 32 detects oscillation in the regenerative receiver at the moment when the total current provided by the current source 24 reaches or exceeds the current required for oscillation. When such a current is reached, the oscillation detector 32 generates a feedback signal and transmits this feedback signal as logic 0 to all interruption inputs 27 of all current cells 20, 21, 22 via the feedback line 35.

[0055] When the trigger signal 25 is in logic 1, and the su_detb signal is switched from logic 1 to logic 0, the trigger input 25 is effectively disconnected from the logic unit 50 and therefore from the current source 55. To that extent, the trigger input 25 can be effectively disconnected from the current source 55 by setting the interruption inputs 27 of the current cells 20, 21, and 22 to logic 0. In this case, the output of the first gate 51 is always in logic 1, regardless of the value or signal provided by the trigger input 25.

[0056] To that extent, by setting the su_detb signal at each interruption input 27 of current cells 20, 21, and 22 to logic 0, the current switching state of all current cells 20, 21, and 22 is effectively deactivated, even if the trigger signal propagates further through some individual current cells 20, 21, and 22. The trigger signal may no longer affect the switching behavior of the corresponding switching transistor 54.

[0057] Simultaneously, each current cell 20, 21, and 22 can be deactivated, providing a stable DC current from the current source 24. At the same time, the current cell activation indicator outputs 28 of all current cells 20, 21, and 22 immediately indicate the activation of the corresponding current source 55 for each activated current cell 20, 21, and 22. In this way, a digital signal is immediately provided indicating the number of current cells 20, 21, and 22 that have been activated until the gradient current signal exceeds the current required to oscillate the regenerative receiver.

[0058] Using the given transition times of each buffer 40 of the individual current cells 20, 21, and 22, the total slope time required by the electronic circuit 10 to start the oscillation of the regenerative receiver can be derived in the digital domain.

[0059] The gradient current signal at the current source 24 can be reset by supplying a reset signal to the enable input en. Then, in response to such a reset signal, the gate of the switching transistor 54 may be set to logic 1, thereby switching the switching transistor off.

[0060] Please note that the implementation configuration illustrated here, based on NAND gates and PMOS transistors 54 and 55, is illustrative only. Furthermore, the same or similar implementation configurations can be easily obtained based on positive logic and NMOS switching elements.

[0061] In particular, when implementing a so-called super-regenerative receiver, generating a current gradient with this regenerative receiver 1 is especially beneficial because it allows the start time to be directly obtained in the digital domain by stopping the continuous trigger chain, that is, by examining the number of temperature measurements of the current supply sources 55, 55', and 55'' that were switched at the time the aforementioned oscillation started when the super-regenerative receiver started.

[0062] In this case, the equivalent start time can be deduced using a simple temperature measurement and binary conversion. This type of thermometric generator is particularly well-suited for operation at very low voltages and has ideal characteristics for "shrinking" into smaller technologies. In the case of current generation, the number of analog components is very limited, resulting in excellent noise performance of the system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Regenerative receiver 10 Electronic circuit 11. Cascaded connection arrangement 20 current cells 21 Current Cells 22 current cells 24 Current source 25 Trigger Inputs 26 Trigger Outputs 27 Interrupt Input 28 Current cell activation index output 30 Receiver Circuit 31 Supply Input 32 Oscillator 35 Feedback Line 40 buffers 41. First Inverter 42 Second Inverter 43 Buffer Capacitor 44 Buffer current supply source 50 Logical Units 51 The First Gate 52 The second gate 53 The Third Gate 54 PMOS transistors, switching transistors, PMOS switches 55 Current supply source 55' current source 55” current source 56 Inverter 60 Current Output en Activation input, activation signal iout_k+1 Output current step_k+1 flag signal trig_k, trig_k+1 trigger signals su_detb signal

Claims

1. An electronic circuit (10) configured to generate a gradient current signal for a receiver circuit (30), - A first current cell (20) comprising a first current source (55), a trigger input (25) for activating the first current source (55), and a trigger output (26), - A second current cell (21) comprising a second current source (55'), a trigger input (25) for activating the second current source (55'), and a trigger output (26), wherein the trigger output (26) of the first current cell (20) is connected to the trigger input (25) of the second current cell (21), and the second current cell (21) - A current source (24) connected to the supply input (31) of the receiver circuit (30) and connectable to either the first current source (55) or the second current source (55') Equipped with, Each of the first current cell (20) and the second current cell (21) comprises a logic unit (50), the logic unit (50) comprising a break input (27), the break input (27) being operable to disconnect the current source (55, 55') of the corresponding current cell (20, 21) from the trigger input (25), in response to receiving a break signal at the break input (27), an electronic circuit (10).

2. The electronic circuit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the supply current of the first current supply source (55) is distinguished from the supply current of the second current supply source (55').

3. The electronic circuit (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the first current cell (20) and the second current cell (21) is provided with a buffer (40) that transmits the input signal at the trigger input (25) to the trigger output (26) of the corresponding current cell (20, 21) after a predetermined transition time has elapsed.

4. The electronic circuit (10) according to claim 1, wherein when the trigger input (25) of either the first current cell (20) or the second current cell (21) is activated by a signal, the current supply sources (55, 55') of the corresponding current cells (20, 21) are connected to the current source (24).

5. The electronic circuit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the logic unit (50) further comprises a current cell indicator output (28), and the signal at the current cell indicator output (28) indicates the activation of the current supply source (55).

6. The electronic circuit (10) according to claim 5, wherein the logic unit (50) is coupled to the trigger input (25) and is operable to provide an instruction signal at the current cell indicator output (28) in response to an input signal at the trigger input (25).

7. Regenerative receiver (1), - A receiver circuit (30) equipped with a supply input (31), - An electronic circuit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the current source (24) of the electronic circuit (10) is connected to the supply input (31) and the electronic circuit (10) A regenerative receiver (1) equipped with the following:

8. The regenerative receiver (1) according to claim 7, further comprising an oscillator detector (32) connected to a feedback line (35), wherein the oscillator detector (32) is configured to detect oscillations of the regenerative receiver and to generate a feedback signal and transmit it to the feedback line (35) when the current at the supply input (31) is equal to or exceeds the current required for the oscillation.

9. The regenerative receiver (1) according to claim 8, wherein the feedback line (35) is connected to the interruption input (27) of the first current cell (20) and the second current cell (21) of the electronic circuit (10).

10. A method for generating a gradient current signal for a receiver circuit (30), - The steps of activating the first current source (55) of the first current cell (20) of the electronic circuit (10) described in claim 1 via the trigger input (25) of the first current cell (20), - The step of activating the second current source (55') of the second current cell (21) of the electronic circuit (10) via the trigger input (25) of the second current cell (21), which is connected to the trigger output (26) of the first current cell (20), - The steps of connecting the current source (24) for the receiver circuit (30) to the first current supply source (55) and the second current supply source (55'), - A step of detecting the current in the current source (24) necessary for the start of oscillation of the receiver circuit (30), - When the current in the current source (24) is greater than or equal to the current required to start the oscillation of the receiver circuit (30), the step of disconnecting at least one of the first current source (55) and the second current source (55') from the trigger input (25) in response to the interruption signal being received at the interruption input (27) of the logic unit (50) A method for providing this.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a trigger signal transmitted from the trigger output (26) of the first current cell (20) to the trigger input (25) of the second current cell (21) activates the second current source (55') of the second current cell (21).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein an input signal at the trigger input (25) of any of the first current cell (20) and the second current cell (21) is transmitted to the trigger output (26) of the corresponding first current cell (20) or the second current cell (21) after a predetermined transition time has elapsed.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of deriving or determining in the digital domain the total time interval required to reach the desired amplitude in the gradient current signal by counting the number of activated current cells (20, 21) or activated current sources (55, 55').

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