Dual reference current generation using a single external reference resistor
AssigneeMarvell International Ltd.
InventorsAlireza Shirvani-Mahdavi, George Chien, Yuan-Ju Chao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Circuits and methods are provided for generating reference currents. In one implementation, a circuit is provided that includes a first source and a current control circuit in communication with the first source. The first source generates a first reference current that is a ratio of a first reference voltage and an external resistance. The current control circuit produces a second reference current that is a ratio of a second reference voltage and the external resistance. The current control circuit produces the second reference current without being directly coupled to the external resistance.
Claims26
An integrated circuit configured to couple with a resistance element that is external to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising:
- a first source to generate a first reference current that is a ratio of a first reference voltage and a resistance corresponding to the resistance element, wherein the resistance element is external to the integrated circuit;
- a second source to generate a second, different, reference current, wherein a value of the first reference current differs from a value of the second reference current;
- and
- a current control circuit in communication with the first source and the second source, the current control circuit configured to control the second reference current, wherein the value of the second reference current is related to a ratio of a second reference voltage and the resistance, wherein the current control circuit is configured to control the second reference current without the second source or the current control circuit being directly coupled to the resistance element, wherein the current control circuit is configured to receive the first reference current and the second reference current.
A method, comprising:
- generating, within an integrated circuit, a first reference current that is a ratio of a first reference voltage and a resistance corresponding to a resistance element, wherein the resistance element is external to the integrated circuit;
- generating a second, different, reference current without directly coupling to the resistance element, wherein a value of the first reference current differs from a value of the second reference current;
- and
- controlling the second reference current responsive to a ratio of a second reference voltage and the resistance without directly coupling to the resistance element, wherein the controlling includes:
- receiving the first and second reference currents, and controlling the second reference current responsive to the ratio, the first reference current, and the second reference current.
An integrated circuit configured to couple with a resistance element that is external to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising:
- means for generating a first reference current that is a ratio of a first reference voltage and a resistance corresponding to the resistance element, wherein the resistance element is external to the integrated circuit;
- means for generating a second, different, reference current without directly coupling to the resistance element, wherein a value of the first reference current differs from a value of the second reference current;
- and
- means, in communication with the means for generating the first and second reference currents, for controlling the second reference current, wherein the value of the second reference current is related to a ratio of a second reference voltage and the resistance, wherein the means for controlling is operable to control the second reference current without being directly coupled to the resistance element, wherein the means for controlling the second reference current is configured to receive the first reference current and the second reference current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.