Reference Voltage Generation Circuit Using Current Combining

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reference voltage generation circuits have large power consumption and circuit area due to the use of buffers for voltage addition/subtraction, leading to inaccurate output reference voltages and temperature coefficients.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution uses currents with temperature coefficients instead of voltages, eliminating the need for buffers by combining initial currents into a bias current through a bandgap reference circuit and base voltage generation, allowing for the generation of output reference voltages with different temperature coefficients using a small variable resistor and switching between current paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If buffers are used for voltage addition/subtraction in conventional reference voltage generation circuits, then voltage combining functionality is achieved, but circuit area and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage combining functionalityVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional voltage-based buffer system with a current-based system. Instead of using buffers to add/subtract voltages, the invention uses current sources to generate reference currents that are combined through current mirrors and subtracted through differential pairs, ultimately producing the desired reference voltage without requiring large buffer circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameter from voltage to current. By generating reference currents with different temperature coefficients and combining them through current manipulation rather than voltage addition, the circuit achieves the same functionality with reduced area and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If buffers are used for voltage addition/subtraction in conventional reference voltage generation circuits, then voltage combining functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage combining functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional voltage-based buffer system with a current-based system. Instead of using buffers to add/subtract voltages, the invention uses current sources to generate reference currents that are combined through current mirrors and subtracted through differential pairs, ultimately producing the desired reference voltage without requiring large buffer circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameter from voltage to current. By generating reference currents with different temperature coefficients and combining them through current manipulation rather than voltage addition, the circuit achieves the same functionality with reduced area and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If buffers are used for voltage addition/subtraction, then voltage combining is achieved, but output reference voltage accuracy deteriorates due to extra offset

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage combining functionalityVSAvoidoutput reference voltage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional voltage-based buffer system with a current-based system. Instead of using buffers to add/subtract voltages, the invention uses current sources to generate reference currents that are combined through current mirrors and subtracted through differential pairs, ultimately producing the desired reference voltage without requiring large buffer circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8766611B2Reference voltage generation circuit and method

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A reference voltage generation circuit includes: a bandgap reference circuit, generating a plurality of initial currents with different temperature coefficients; a base voltage generation circuit, combining the initial current into a combined current, and converting the combined current into one or more base voltages; a bias current source circuit, generating one or more bias currents based on at least one of the initial currents; and one or more regulating output circuit, each converting a respective one of the one or more bias currents into an increment voltage and adding the increment voltage to the base voltage to generate a respective output voltage. Each output voltage may have its respective temperature coefficient.