Oscillator controller with first and second voltage reference

A reference oscillator for producing a periodic signal at an output thereof having first and second level states responsive to an applied input signal charging and discharging between first and second voltage references, comprising;

• a comparator having non-inverting and inverting inputs and an output, said non-inverting input receiving said input signal, and said output of said comparator being coupled to the output of the oscillator;
• a current source having an output coupled to said inverting input of said comparator;
• a first circuit coupled to said current source at said output thereof for providing the second voltage reference at said inverting input of said comparator such that said comparator output is at the first level state as the applied input signal charges from the first voltage reference to the second voltage reference;
• and
• a second circuit for providing the first voltage reference at said inverting input of said comparator when the output of the comparator switches to the second level state responsive to the magnitude of the applied input signal becoming equal to the second voltage reference at which time the magnitude of the applied input signal begins to discharge and said second circuit is coupled in parallel with said first circuit.

A method for producing a periodic signal having first and second logic states, comprising the steps of:

• providing a signal that varies between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference;
• providing a voltage reference of a predetermined magnitude;
• generating said second voltage reference from said voltage reference, the second voltage reference having a magnitude greater than said magnitude of said voltage reference by a predetermined voltage;
• generating said first voltage reference the magnitude of which is substantially equal to said predetermined voltage;
• and
• comparing said signal to said first and second voltage references to produce the periodic signal.