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US 8,797,094 B1Granted
On-chip zero-temperature coefficient current generator
AssigneeSynaptics Incorporated
InventorsClyde Washburn, Eric Scott Bohannon, Brian Mott
Life of this patent
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AssigneeSynaptics Incorporated
InventorsClyde Washburn, Eric Scott Bohannon, Brian Mott
Estimating the term…
Embodiments of the invention generally provide generating a ZTC current using resistors that may be integrated into an IC, even if these resistors vary with temperature. Specifically, instead of applying a bandgap voltage across a ZTC resistor, the bandgap voltage may be applied to a temperature-dependent resistor to generate a first current that varies (either proportionally or complementary) with temperature. Additionally, a second current may be generated which compensates for the temperature variance of the first current. If the two currents change in the same manner relative to temperature (i.e., the respective slopes of the currents are the same when the underlying circuit elements are exposed to the same temperature variations), the difference between the currents remains constant. Thus, subtracting the two currents, regardless of the current temperature, results in a ZTC current—i.e., a current that is independent of temperature variations.
A method for generating a zero-temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, the method comprising:
A circuit that generates a zero-temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, the circuit comprising:
An integrated circuit that generates a zero-temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, the integrated circuit comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.