Fast, efficient reference networks for providing low-impedance reference signals to signal processing systems
AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.
InventorsGregory W. Patterson, Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty Ali
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Abstract
Reference network embodiments are provided for use in pipelined signal converter systems. The network embodiments are fast and power efficient and they generate low-impedance reference signals through the use of at least one output transistor, a diode-coupled transistor coupled to the output transistor, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide a backgate voltage to the diode-coupled transistor to thereby establish a substantially-constant output current. The controller is further configured to provide a gate voltage to the output transistor to establish a reference voltage.
Claims15
A reference network to provide a reference voltage, comprising:
- an output transistor;
- an output diode-coupled transistor having an output backgate and coupled to said output transistor;
- and
- a controller that is configured to control said output transistor to establish a reference voltage across said output diode-coupled transistor and to provide a backgate voltage to said output backgate to establish a substantially-constant output current through said output diode-coupled transistor.
A reference network to provide a reference voltage, comprising:
- a current source;
- an output diode-coupled transistor having an output backgate and coupled to said current source;
- and
- a controller that is configured to establish a reference voltage across said output diode-coupled transistor and to provide a backgate voltage to said output backgate to establish a substantially-constant output current through said output diode-coupled transistor.
A signal converter system that provides a digital code which corresponds to an analog input signal, comprising:
- a pipelined arrangement of converter stages configured to provide said digital code in response to said analog input signal wherein at least one of said stages includes a multiplying digital-to-analog converter that responds to top and bottom reference voltages;
- and
- a reference network that includes:
- an output transistor;
- an output diode-coupled transistor and coupled to said output transistor and having an output backgate;
- and
- a controller that is configured to control said output transistor to establish a reference voltage across said output diode-coupled transistor and to provide a backgate voltage to said output backgate to establish a substantially-constant output current through said output diode-coupled transistor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.