Apparatus and method for adjusting the threshold voltage of MOS transistors

An apparatus for adjusting the effective threshold voltage of a MOS transistor to a desired effective threshold voltage, comprising:

• reference voltage generation circuitry for generating a first voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the desired effective threshold voltage;
• threshold voltage monitoring circuitry that includes the MOS transistor for measuring the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor and for generating a second voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the measured effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor;
• and
• feedback circuitry for comparing the first voltage signal to the second voltage signal and for adjusting the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor so that the second voltage signal is substantially equal to the first voltage signal.

An apparatus for adjusting the effective threshold voltage of a MOS transistor to a desired effective threshold voltage, comprising:

• reference voltage generation circuitry for generating a first voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the difference between a supply voltage and the desired effective threshold voltage;
• threshold voltage monitoring circuitry that includes the MOS transistor for measuring the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor and for generating a second voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the difference between the supply voltage and the measured effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor;
• and
• feedback circuitry for comparing the first voltage signal to the second voltage signal and for adjusting the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor so that the second voltage signal is substantially equal to the first voltage signal.

A method of adjusting the effective threshold voltage of a MOS transistor to a desired effective threshold voltage, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a first voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the desired effective threshold voltage;
• measuring the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor;
• generating a second voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the measured effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor;
• comparing the first voltage signal to the second voltage signal;
• and
• adjusting the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor so that the second voltage signal is substantially equal to the first voltage signal.

A method of adjusting the effective threshold voltage of a MOS transistor to a desired effective threshold voltage, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a first voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the difference between a supply voltage and the desired effective threshold voltage;
• measuring the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor;
• generating a second voltage signal having a voltage approximately equal to the difference between the supply voltage and the measured effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor;
• comparing the first voltage signal to the second voltage signal;
• and
• adjusting the effective threshold voltage of the MOS transistor so that the second voltage signal is substantially equal to the first voltage signal.