Device generating a precise reference voltage
AssigneeAtmel Nantes SA
InventorPhilippe Messager
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device generating a precise reference voltage. This device comprises a semiconductor circuit (1) of “bandgap” type delivering a reference voltage (Vref) and a multiplier circuit (2) delivering an output voltage (VOUT) from the reference voltage. A galvanic link (3) makes it possible to supply the semiconductor circuit (1) from the precise reference voltage, and an initialization circuit (4) makes it possible, on initialization, to replace this precise reference voltage with the build-up voltage of the supply voltage. Application to reference voltage generating circuits of analogue/digital converter circuits in CMOS technology.
Claims4
Device generating a precise reference voltage comprising a semiconductor circuit generating a reference voltage and a voltage multiplier circuit which are supplied from a supply voltage, said voltage multiplier circuit comprising at least one differential amplifier receiving on its negative terminal said reference voltage as set-point voltage and a resistive feedback circuit comprising a regulating transistor connected between said supply voltage and a resistive bridge restoring, in part, the precise reference voltage on the positive terminal of said differential amplifier, the gate electrode of said regulating transistor being linked and controlled by the output of said differential amplifier and the junction point between said regulating transistor and said resistive bridge constituting for this generating device an output terminal delivering said precise reference voltage,
- wherein said device furthermore comprises:
- a galvanic link linking said output terminal delivering said precise reference voltage to the supply input of said semiconductor circuit;
- an initialization circuit connected to the gate electrode of said regulating transistor and making it possible, under transient conditions, on initialization, by turning on at the supply voltage of said precise reference voltage generating device, to replace said precise reference voltage with the build-up voltage of said supply voltage, thereby making it possible, on the one hand, under transient conditions, on initialization, to supply said semiconductor circuit from the build-up voltage of said supply voltage, and, on the other hand, under steady conditions, to deliver on said output terminal of said generating device said precise reference voltage and to supply said semiconductor circuit from this precise reference voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.