Reference Voltage Generating Apparatus Removing Temperature Invariant Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reference voltage generating circuits for integrated circuits (ICs) face challenges in producing low power consumption and temperature-invariant reference voltages, as they are often influenced by semiconductor process variations and temperature changes, which complicates their implementation in small electronic devices like mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A reference voltage generating apparatus and method that utilizes a constant current source circuit with a load circuit and a current branch to remove temperature-invariant current components, incorporating a cascode current mirror circuit with self-bias and an operational amplifying circuit to generate a stable low reference voltage, independent of temperature variations, while minimizing power consumption and circuit size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional reference voltage generating circuit is used, then the reference voltage can be generated, but the circuit is influenced by temperature variations and semiconductor process variations, resulting in poor stability
Solution Approach 1:
The reference current is divided into two separate branches: a load circuit current branch that generates the reference voltage, and a temperature-invariant current removal branch that eliminates temperature-invariant current components. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each branch to achieve temperature invariance while maintaining circuit simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the temperature-invariant current components from the reference current through a dedicated removal branch. By taking out these harmful current components separately, the circuit achieves temperature invariance without requiring complete redesign of the entire reference voltage generation system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the reference voltage is reduced for low power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but the circuit becomes more sensitive to temperature and process variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs feedback mechanisms where the removed temperature-invariant current components are subtracted from the reference current. This feedback loop compensates for temperature and process variations, allowing the circuit to maintain stable reference voltage even at low power consumption levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the circuit by removing temperature-invariant current components, which alters the temperature dependence characteristics. This parameter change enables the circuit to achieve both low power consumption and high temperature stability by modifying the current composition rather than increasing circuit complexity.
3Reliability
If temperature-invariant current components are removed through a separate current branch, then temperature stability improves, but the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the temperature-invariant current removal function with the existing reference voltage generation circuit by sharing common components such as current sources and transistors. This combining approach achieves temperature invariance without proportionally increasing the overall circuit area, as the removal branch utilizes existing circuit elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating a low reference voltage having low power consumption characteristics is provided. A reference voltage generating apparatus includes a constant current source circuit which generates a reference current. A load circuit is connected to the constant current source circuit and generates a voltage which is proportional to the reference current. A current branch circuit removes a portion of temperature-invariant current components included in the reference current from a connection terminal of the constant current source circuit and the load circuit to a ground terminal through a current branch which is different from a current branch of the load circuit.