REFERENCE CURRENT SOURCE

Organization Name

Inventor(s)

KOFI AFOLABI ANTHONY Makinwa of Delft (NL)

REFERENCE CURRENT SOURCE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240255975 titled 'REFERENCE CURRENT SOURCE

The abstract of the patent application describes a reference current source comprising first and second semiconductor elements, a conversion resistor, an amplifier, and a current mirror circuit. The first semiconductor element includes a single diode or transistor, while the second semiconductor element includes diodes or transistors connected in parallel. The conversion resistor converts forward voltages of the semiconductor elements or a differential voltage between them into a converted current. The amplifier has first and second input terminals, with the first semiconductor element connected between the first input terminal and ground, and the second semiconductor element and conversion resistor connected between the second input terminal and ground. The current mirror circuit outputs a reference current corresponding to the converted current, with the conversion resistor having a temperature coefficient on par with the differential voltage.

The reference current source includes first and second semiconductor elements, a conversion resistor, an amplifier, and a current mirror circuit.
The first semiconductor element consists of a single diode or transistor, while the second semiconductor element comprises diodes or transistors connected in parallel.
The conversion resistor transforms forward voltages of the semiconductor elements or a differential voltage between them into a converted current.
The amplifier features first and second input terminals, with the first semiconductor element linked to the first input terminal and ground, and the second semiconductor element and conversion resistor connected to the second input terminal and ground.
The current mirror circuit generates a reference current based on the converted current, with the conversion resistor possessing a temperature coefficient similar to the differential voltage.

Potential Applications: - Precision current sources in electronic devices - Voltage regulators in power supply circuits - Sensor signal conditioning circuits

Problems Solved: - Ensures stable and accurate reference current generation - Minimizes temperature-dependent variations in the converted current

Benefits: - Improved precision and stability in current generation - Enhanced performance of electronic circuits - Reduced sensitivity to temperature fluctuations

Commercial Applications: Title: "Advanced Reference Current Sources for High-Precision Electronics" This technology can be utilized in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and medical devices for high-precision current generation requirements. The market implications include improved product performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the conversion resistor contribute to the accuracy of the reference current source?

  The conversion resistor plays a crucial role in converting forward voltages into a converted current, ensuring precise and stable reference current generation.

2. What are the potential advantages of using a current mirror circuit in this reference current source design?

  The current mirror circuit helps maintain consistency and accuracy in the reference current output, enhancing the overall performance of the circuit.

Original Abstract Submitted

a reference current source includes first and second semiconductor elements, a conversion resistor, an amplifier, and a current mirror circuit. the first semiconductor element includes a single diode or a single transistor, and the second semiconductor element includes diodes or transistors connected in parallel. the conversion resistor converts forward voltages of the first and second semiconductor elements or a differential voltage between the first and second semiconductor elements into a converted current. the amplifier has first and second input terminals. the first semiconductor element is connected between the first input terminal and a ground, and the second semiconductor element and the conversion resistor is connected between the second input terminal and the ground. the current mirror circuit outputs a reference current corresponding to the converted current. the conversion resistor has a temperature coefficient being on a level with a temperature coefficient of the differential voltage.