Current comparator for current mode circuits

A method of comparing currents in a current mode circuit comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an integrated circuit comprising:
• (1) a current supply circuit for supplying a reference current and a signal current to said integrated circuit;
• (2) at least one current copier circuit for creating a copy of said reference current and a copy of said signal current comprising a first pair of MOS transistors;
• (3) an amplifying circuit connected to said current supply circuit and said current copier circuit, comprising a second pair of MOS transistors each having its gate directly connected to a drain of one said first pair of MOS transistors, said connections being the only connections between the first and second pair of MOS transistors, said amplifying circuit being configured with said current copier circuit to compare said copy of said reference current to said signal current and to compare said copy of said signal current to said reference current and to generate a comparison signal based upon said comparisons;
• and
• (4) an output circuit connected to said amplifying circuit for receiving said comparison signal and generating an output signal;
• (b) (supplying a reference current and a signal current from a current supply;
• (c) copying said reference current and said signal current;
• (d) comparing said copy of said reference current to said signal current and said copy of said signal current to said reference current to generate a comparison signal based upon said comparisons;
• and
• (e) generating and output signal based upon said comparison signal.

A current mode comparator comprising:

• (a) a current supply circuit for supplying a reference current and a signal current to said current comparator;
• (b) at least one current copier circuit for creating a copy of said reference current and a copy of said signal current, comprising a first pair of MOS transistors;
• (c) an amplifying circuit connected to said current supply circuit and said current copier circuit, comprising a second pair of MOS transistors each having its gate directly connected to a drain of one said first pair of MOS transistors, said connections being the only connections between the first and second pair of MOS transistors, said amplifying circuit being configured with said current copier circuit to compare said copy of said reference current to said signal current and to compare said copy of said signal current to said reference current and to generate a comparison signal based upon said comparisons;
• and
• (d) said output circuit connected to said amplyfying circuit for receiving said comparison signal and generating an output signal.

A method of comparing currents in a current mode circuit comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a current mode comparator comprising one:
• (1) a current supply circuit for supplying a reference current and a signal current to said current comparator;
• (2) at least one current copier circuit for creating a copy of said reference current and a copy of said signal current, comprising a first pair of MOS transistors;
• (3) an amplifying circuit connected to said current supply circuit and said current copier circuit, comprising a second pair of MOS transistors each having its gate directly connected to a drain of one said first pair of MOS transistors, said connections being the only connections between the first and second pair of MOS transistors, said amplifying circuit being configured with said current copier circuit to compare said copy of said reference current to said signal current and to compare said copy of said signal current to said reference current and to generate a comparison signal based upon said comparisons;
• and
• (4) said output circuit connected to said amplifying circuit for receiving said comparison signal and generating an output signal;
• (b) supplying a reference current and a signal current from a current supply;
• (c) copying said reference current and said signal current;
• (d) comparing said copy of said reference current to said signal current and said copy of said signal current to said reference current to generate a comparison signal based upon said comparisons;
• and
• (e) generating and output signal based upon said comparison signal.