US 6,639,419 B2 · Supply voltage level detector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a supply voltage level detector. The supply voltage level detector includes a reference voltage generator for generating the reference voltage of a constant level depending on a control signal, a compare voltage generator for generating a compare voltage the variation ratio of which is higher than the supply voltage supplied from the outside depending on the control signal, and a comparator for comparing the reference voltage and the compare voltage depending on the control signal to output a given signal. The present invention constructs the compare voltage generator in the supply voltage level detector so that the variation of the compare voltage depending on the variation of the supply voltage becomes great. Therefore, the present invention can improve the sensing margin of the comparator for sensing the difference between the reference voltage and the compare voltage. Also, the present invention can prevent erroneous operation by a noise to accomplish a stable operation.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A supply voltage level detector, comprising:

a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage of a constant level depending on a control signal;
a compare voltage generator for generating a compare voltage which is higher than a supply voltage supplied from the outside depending on the control signal;
and
a comparator for comparing the reference voltage and the compare voltage depending on the control signal to output a given signal,
wherein the compare voltage generator comprises,
a first PMOS transistor driven by the control signal having a source connected to the supply voltage;
a first resistor connected between a drain of the first PMOS transistor and a node;
a second PMOS transistor connected between the supply voltage and an output terminal and driven by the control signal;
and
a first NMOS transistor connected between the output terminal and the ground, a gate of which being connected to the node, wherein a charge drivability of the NMOS transistor is changed by a potential of the gate.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Supply voltage level detector

Life of this patent

Supply voltage level detector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10