Reference voltage generator with monitoring and start up means

Voltage reference generator (VRG) including a supply voltage terminal (VDD) for coupling to a power supply, a reference terminal (VSS) for coupling to a reference potential, an operational amplifier means (7) having a first input terminal (NA), a second input terminal (NB) and a first amplifier output terminal (VOAOUT) which is coupled to an input terminal of a feedback circuit (8) of said voltage reference generator, said voltage reference generator (VRG) including a first output terminal (VBGOUT) coupled to said first amplifier output terminal (VOAOUT) for providing a reference output voltage,

• characterised in that
• said voltage reference generator further includes monitoring means (9), adapted to monitor said reference output voltage, a first input terminal of said monitoring means thereby being coupled to said first amplifier output terminal (VOAOUT),
• said monitoring means (9) thereby including a first output terminal (VOUT1) which is coupled to a control terminal (VC) of a start-up means (10) further included in said voltage reference generator (VRG),
• said start-up means (10) including an output terminal (VO) which is coupled to said second input terminal (NB) of said operational amplifier means (7),
• said monitoring means (9) including a second output terminal (VOUT2) coupled to a second output terminal (VFLAG) of said voltage reference generator (VRG) for provision of a validation flag indicative of the correct operation of said voltage reference generator.