Starting circuit and method for starting a MOS transistor
AssigneesSGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.A., Consorzio per la Ricerca sulla Microelettronica nel Mezzogiorno
InventorsSergio Palara, Vito Graziano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A start up circuit causes a MOS transistor to be turned on by sensing local electrical quantities thereof, specifically the potential at the drain terminal of the MOS transistor. A small current is injected into the control terminal of the MOS transistor when the potential at the drain terminal is high. For the purpose, an electric network is arranged to couple these two terminals together.
Claims62
A start up circuit for a MOS transistor having a drain terminal and a control terminal, the start up circuit comprising an electrical network adapted to couple the drian terminal of the MOS transistor to the control terminal of the MOS transistor.
A method for controlling a MOS transistor having a gate terminal and a drain terminal, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting when a voltage at the drain terminal is greater than a predetermined value;
- and
- activating the MOS transistor when the voltage at the drain terminal is greater than the predetermined value.
An apparatus for controlling a MOS transistor having a gate terminal and a drain terminal, the apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting when a voltage at the drain terminal is greater than a predetermined value;
- and
- means for activating the MOS transistor when the voltage at the drain terminal is greater than the predetermined value.
A circuit for controlling a MOS transistor having a drain terminal and a gate terminal, the circuit comprising:
- a first terminal coupled to the drain terminal, the first terminal receiving a voltage at the drain terminal;
- a second terminal, coupled to the gate terminal;
- and
- control circuitry, coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal that activates the MOS transistor through the second terminal when the voltage at the drain terminal is greater than a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.