US 2010/0244790 A1 · CONSTANT CURRENT DRIVING DEVICE HAVING AN IMPROVED ACCURACY

Abstract

An embodiment of a driving device is proposed for supplying at least one regulated global output current to a load. The driving device includes programming means for programming a value of the global output current within a global current range. Reference means are provided for supplying a reference voltage, which has a value corresponding to the value of the global output current. Conversion means are then used for converting the reference voltage into the global output current. In the driving device according to an embodiment of the invention, the conversion means include a plurality of conversion units for corresponding partial current ranges, which partition the global current range. Each conversion unit is adapted to convert the reference voltage into a partial output current that contributes to the global output current, with the partial output current that is within the corresponding partial current range. The driving device further includes control means for selectively enabling the conversion units according to the partial current range wherein the global output current falls and for controlling the reference voltage so as to swing in a partial voltage range for each partial current range (with the partial voltage ranges that are at least partly superimposed).

Claims39

Dependent claims

A driving device for supplying at least one regulated global output current to a load, the driving device including:

programming means for programming a value of the global output current within a global current range,
reference means for supplying a reference voltage having a value corresponding to the value of the global output current,
conversion means for converting the reference voltage in the global output current,
the conversion means including a plurality of conversion units for corresponding partial current ranges partitioning the global current range, each conversion unit being adapted to convert the reference voltage into a partial output current contributing to the global output current, the partial output current being within the corresponding partial current range, and wherein the driving device further includes control means for selectively enabling the conversion units according to the partial current range wherein the global output current falls and for controlling the reference voltage so as to change in a partial voltage range for each partial current range, the partial voltage ranges being at least partly superimposed.

1 more element

A current regulator, comprising:

a reference stage having at least first and second reference branches operable to generate respective first and second reference signals;
and
an output stage having a regulated-current output node and at least first and second output branches, one of the first and second output branches operable to generate a regulated output current at the output node in response to one of the first and second reference signals, the first and second output branches together operable to generate the regulated output current in response to the other of the first and second reference signals.

An integrated circuit, comprising:

a current regulator, comprising:
a reference stage having at least first and second reference branches operable to generate respective first and second reference signals;
and
an output stage having a regulated-current output node and at least first and second output branches, one of the first and second output branches operable to generate a regulated output current at the output node in response to one of the first and second reference signals, the first and second output branches together operable to generate the regulated output current in response to the other of the first and second reference signals.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Constant current driving device having an improved accuracy

Life of this patent

Constant current driving device having an improved accuracy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39