Current Mirror Output Circuit for Stable Source-Sink Current
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing output circuits face challenges in minimizing the influence of other circuit parts on the output terminal, leading to inefficiencies and interference in providing a stable output current.
Innovation Solution
The output circuit employs a first current mirror and a first pass transistor, directly and permanently connected to the output terminal, with a series circuit configuration that minimizes the presence of additional transistors, diodes, or resistors, allowing for a reduced influence of other circuit parts and enabling the output circuit to function as a current source or sink with minimal external control signals or bias voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transistors, diodes, or resistors are present in the coupling path between delivering terminal and output terminal, then the circuit can provide more control functions, but the influence of other circuit parts on the output terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary intermediate components (transistors, diodes, resistors) from the coupling path between the delivering terminal and output terminal. By taking out these extraneous elements, the circuit achieves direct coupling that eliminates their harmful influence on the output terminal while preserving essential control functions through the remaining optimized component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the circuit into distinct functional blocks: the delivering terminal stage, the output terminal stage, and the control stage. This segmentation allows the output terminal to be directly coupled to the delivering terminal without interference from intermediate components, while control functions are implemented through separate control signals applied to specific transistors in the segmented architecture.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a direct and permanent connection is made between current mirror and pass transistor, then the output current stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current mirror and pass transistor into a tightly integrated unit with direct and permanent connections. This merging eliminates intermediate coupling elements and creates a unified functional block that ensures stable output current by maintaining consistent electrical connections between the current mirror's output and the pass transistor's control terminal, while the overall device complexity is managed through this consolidated architecture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the output circuit uses a simple configuration with minimal components, then the influence of other circuit parts is reduced, but the ability to handle high voltages and switch between source and sink modes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal output circuit configuration where the pass transistor and current mirror structure can operate in multiple modes (current source and current sink) and handle high voltages. The direct coupling between delivering terminal and output terminal maintains simplicity and reduces harmful influences, while the transistor's inherent capability and proper biasing enable versatile voltage handling and mode switching without adding complex external components.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
An output circuit comprises an output terminal (11), a first current mirror (12), a first pass transistor (13) and a first delivering terminal (14) coupled via the first current mirror (12) and the first pass transistor (13) to the output terminal (11).