Substantially temperature-independent trimming of current flows

In combination with a source of current with temperature-independent quiescent value,

• a current mirror amplifier comprising:
• input and common terminals connected to receive said current with temperature-independent quiescent value;
• an output terminal;
• a bipolar master mirroring transistor and a bipolar slave mirroring transistor of like type, each having respective emitter and base and collector electrodes, having a respective emitter-base circuit between its emitter and base electrodes, having a respective emitter-collector circuit between its emitter and collector electrodes;
• direct coupled feedback means between the emitter-collector circuit of said master mirroring transistor and its emitter-base circuit for applying a potential across its emitter-base circuit that conditions its emitter-collector circuit to conduct substantially all of any current thereto applied which is of the polarity associated with normal transistor action;
• means for applying a potential across the emitter-base circuit of said slave mirroring transistor like unto that appearing across the emitter-base circuit of said master mirroring transistor;
• means connecting the emitter-collector circuit of said slave mirroring transistor between said common and output terminals;
• means connecting the emitter-collector circuit of said master mirroring transistor between said common and output terminals in a poling such that said current with temperature-independent quiescent value is conducted by normal transistor action, which means includes
• positive-temperature-coefficient resistance being in first series connection with the emitter-base circuit of said master mirroring transistor, and being of such value that a voltage with temperature-independent quiescent value appears across said first series connection.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and a third transistor of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• a first point of interconnection, to which the output electrode of said first transistor connects, direct coupled to the input electrode of said third transistor;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said second and third transistors, for supplying output signal;
• fourth and fifth, bipolar transistors of said second conductivity type, each having respective base and emitter and collector electrodes and being operated at temperatures close to T;
• means for connecting said fourth and fifth transistors as master and slave mirroring transistors of a component current mirror amplifier including
• first conductive means having a first end at said second supply terminal and having a second end at the emitter electrode of said fourth transistor, including
• second conductive means having a first end and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fourth transistor connects, including
• third conductive means having a first end at said second supply terminal and having a second end at the emitter electrode of said fifth transistor, including
• fourth conductive means having a first end which connects to the common electrode of said third transistor and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fifth transistor connects, and including
• direct coupling means direct coupling in like manner the second end of said second conductive means to each of the base electrodes of said fourth and fifth transistors;
• positive-temperature-coefficient resistance maintained at a temperature close to T, included in at least one of said first and second conductive means, of sufficient value for causing voltage with said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the first end of said second conductive means;
• and
• means galvanically connecting the first end of said second conductive means to said first point of interconnection.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and a third transistor of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• a first point of interconnection, to which the output electrode of said first transistor connects, direct coupled to the input electrode of said third transistor;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said second and third transistors, for supplying output signal;
• fourth and fifth, bipolar transistors of said second conductivity type, each having respective base and emitter and collector electrodes and being operated at temperatures close to T;
• means for connecting said fourth and fifth transistors as master and slave mirroring transistors of a component current mirror amplifier including
• first conductive means having a first end at said second supply terminal and having a second end at the emitter electrode of said fourth transistor, including
• second conductive means having a first end which connects to the common terminal of said third transistor and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fourth transistor connects, including
• third conductive means having a first end at said second supply terminal and having a second end at the emitter electrode of said fifth transistor, including
• fourth conductive means having a first end and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fifth transistor connects, and including
• direct coupling means direct coupling in like manner the second end of said second conductive means to each of the base electrodes of said fourth and fifth transistors;
• positive-temperature-coefficient resistance maintained at a temperature close to T, included in at least one of said first and second conductive means, of sufficient value for causing a voltage with said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the first end of said second conductive means;
• and
• means galvanically connecting the first end of said fourth conductive means to said first point of interconnection.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and a third transistor of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• a first point of interconnection, to which the output electrode of said first transistor connects, direct coupled to the input electrode of said third transistor;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said second and third transistors, for supplying output signal;
• a fourth, bipolar transistor of said second conductivity type, having base and emitter and collector electrodes and being operated at a temperature close to T;
• semiconductor junction diode means operated at a temperature close to T;
• means for connecting said fourth transistor and said semiconductor junction diode means in a component current mirror amplifier including
• first conductive means having a first end at said second supply terminal and having a second end at the emitter electrode of said fourth transistor, including
• second conductive means having a first end and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fourth transistor connects, including
• third conductive means in series connection with forward-poled said semiconductor junction diode means between said second supply terminal and the base electrode of said fourth transistor, and including
• fourth conductive means having a first end which connects to the common electrode of said third transistor and having a second end connected to the base electrode of said fourth transistor;
• positive-temperature-coefficient resistance maintained at a temperature close to T, included in at least one of said third and fourth conductive means, of sufficient value for causing a voltage with said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the first end of said fourth conductive means;
• and
• means galvanically connecting the first end of said second conductive means to said first point of interconnection.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and a third transistor of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• a first point of interconnection, to which the output electrode of said first transistor connects, direct coupled to the input electrode of said third transistor;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said second and third transistors, for supplying output signal;
• a fourth, bipolar transistor of said second conductivity type, having base and emitter and collector electrodes and being operated at a temperature close to T;
• semiconductor junction diode means being operated at a temperature close to T;
• means for connecting said fourth transistor and said semiconductor junction diode means in a component current mirror amplifier including
• first conductive means having a first end at said second supply terminal and having a second end at the emitter electrode of said fourth transistor, including
• second conductive means having a first end which connects to the common electrode of said third transistor and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fourth transistor connects, including
• third conductive means in series connection with forward-poled said semiconductor junction diode means between said second supply terminal and the base electrode of said fourth transistor, and including
• fourth conductive means having a first end and having a second end connected to the base electrode of said fourth transistor;
• positive-temperature-coefficient resistance maintained at a temperature close to T, included in at least one of said third and fourth conductive means, of sufficient value for causing a voltage with said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the first end of said second conductive means;
• and
• means galvanically connecting the first end of said fourth conductive means to said first point of interconnection.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and third and fourth transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied because its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• a first point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said first and third transistors;
• means direct coupling the first point of interconnection in like manner to each of the input electrodes of said third and fourth transistors;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said second and fourth transistors, for supplying output signal,
• first and second semiconductor junction diode means operated at temperatures close to T;
• a first resistive element being serially connected with forward-poled said first semiconductor junction diode means between the common electrode of said third transistor and said second supply terminal, and having a positive-temperature-coefficient resistance respective to T of sufficient value for causing a quiescent voltage with said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the common electrode of said third transistor;
• and
• a second resistive element being serially connected with forward-poled said second semiconductor junction diode means between the common electrode of said fourth transistor and said second supply terminal, and having a positive-temperature-coefficient resistance respective to T of sufficient value for causing quiescent voltage of said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the common electrode of said fourth transistor.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and third and fourth transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• a first point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said first and third transistors;
• means direct coupling the first point of interconnection in like manner to each of the input electrodes of said third and fourth transistors;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrodes of said second and fourth transistors, for supplying output signal,
• first and second conductive means respectively connecting a third point of interconnection to the common electrode of said third transistor and to the common electrode of said fourth transistor;
• forward-poled semiconductor junction diode means being operated at a temperature close to T connecting said third point of interconnection and said second supply terminal;
• first and second resistive elements corresponding to said first and second conductive means, respectively, and having respective positive-temperature-coefficient resistances respective to T of sufficient values for causing voltages of said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and each of the common electrodes of said third and fourth transistors.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient respective to a temperature T to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• third and fourth bipolar transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each of these transistors having respective base and emitter and collector electrodes and being operated at a temperature close to T;
• a first point of interconnection between the output electrode of said first transistor and the collector electrode of said third transistor,
• means direct coupling said first point of interconnection to the base electrodes of said third and fourth transistors;
• a second point of interconnection between the output electrode of said second transistor and the collector electrode of said fourth transistor, for supplying output signal;
• first and second resistive elements respectively connecting said second supply terminal to the emitter electrode of said third transistor and to the emitter electrode of said fourth transistor and exhibiting respective positive-temperature-coefficient resistances respective to T of sufficient values to cause the voltage between said second terminal and each of the base electrodes of said third and fourth transistors to exhibit said predetermined temperature coefficient.

An amplifier stage comprising:

• first and second supply terminals for receiving respective operating supply voltages
• means for supplying first and second input potentials in a range between said respective operating supply voltages;
• first and second transistors of a first conductivity type, each transistor having a respective input electrode and each having a respective principal current conduction path with ends defined by respective output and common electrodes of that transistor, the conduction of the principal current conduction path of each transistor being controlled by a respective one of said first and second input potentials being applied between its input and common electrodes;
• constant current generator means for causing a current of predetermined temperature coefficient to flow from said first supply terminal for apportionment between the common electrodes of said first and second transistors in a ratio responsive to the relative values of their respective input potentials;
• third and fourth, bipolar transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each of which transistors has respective base and emitter and collector electrodes and is operated at a temperature close to T;
• first conductive means having a first end to which the output electrode of said first transistor connects and having a second end to which the collector electrode of said third transistor connects;
• second conductive means having a first end to which the output electrode of said first transistor connects, having a second end to which the collector electrode of said fourth transistor connects, and having a point there along at which an output signal is supplied;
• means for connecting said third and fourth transistors as master and slave mirroring transistors of a component current mirror amplifier, including
• direct coupling means direct coupling in like manner the second end of said first conductive means to each of the base electrodes of said third and fourth transistors, including
• third conductive means having a first end connected at said second supply terminal and having a second end connected at the emitter electrode of said third transistor, and including
• fourth conductive means having a first end connected at said second supply terminal and having a second end connected at the emitter electrode of said fourth transistor;
• and
• positive-temperature-coefficient resistance included in at least one of said first and third conductive means of sufficient value for causing a voltage with said predetermined temperature coefficient to appear between said second supply terminal and the first end of said first conductive means.