Current control mechanism for low voltage applications
AssigneeGigoptix, Inc.
InventorVikas Manan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A current control mechanism for use in low power consumption circuits with limited headroom includes a differential transistor pair from whose collectors a current output is taken. The current output is a function of a reference voltage provided at bases of a reference transistor pair having emitters that are coupled to the bases of the differential pair. The reference voltage is controlled by a pair of control transistors that control current through a load. A pair of tracking transistors can be provided to track supply voltage. A single-ended topology can also be implemented.
Claims5
1-13. (canceled)
A current control circuit for a broadband amplifier, the circuit comprising:
- an output transistor for supplying an output current at an output node coupled to the emitter of the transistor;
- a reference transistor having a reference node at a base thereof, the reference transistor being coupled between a voltage supply and a base of the output transistor;
- a current source configured to supply current through the reference node;
- and
- a control transistor configured to control a voltage of the reference node by controlling current through a load that is coupled to the reference node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.