US 2015/0309526 A1 · REFERENCE BUFFER WITH WIDE TRIM RANGE

Abstract

Circuits for generating voltage references are common in electronics. For example, these circuits are used in analog-to-digital converters, which convert an analog signal into its digital representation by comparing analog input signals against one or more voltage references provided by those circuits. In many applications, the speed and accuracy of such voltage references are very important. The speed of the voltage references is related to the physical properties of the devices in the circuit. The accuracy of the voltage reference is directly related to the circuit's ability to trim the full-scale voltage output. The present disclosure describes a fast and efficient reference buffer with a wide trim range which is particular suitable for submicron processes and high speed applications. The reference buffer comprises a plurality of diode-connected transistors, which can be selected to turn on or off using a controller to provide a wide trim range.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A programmable reference buffer comprising:

a stacked source follower comprising a first transistor and a second transistor in a common drain configuration;
a pass device separating the first transistor and a second transistor, wherein the pass device comprises selectable diode-connected transistors;
and
a controller having output control signals for selecting one or more of the diode-connected transistors to be used as part of the pass device based on a reference voltage to be provided at a first terminal and a second terminal of the pass device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reference buffer with wide trim range

Life of this patent

Reference buffer with wide trim range

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21