National Semiconductor Germany Ag

Xignal Technologies Ag

Christophe Holuigue

Martin Gröpl

Gr&eacute;goire Le Grand De Mercey

The invention concerns a controllable current source or 'charge pump' () in an integrated circuit, comprising two supply terminals (KK) for the application of two supply potentials (VV) as well as an output terminal (Kout) for the delivery of an output current, connected via a first controllable current path (T) with the first supply terminal (K), and via a second controllable current path (T) with the second supply terminal (K). In order to improve the current source () with regard to the quality of the output signal, it is provided according to the invention that the controllable current source () furthermore has a replica (TT) of the current paths (TT) in their non-controlled state, of which a replica output terminal (Kout') is connected via a current mirror (Tto T) with the output terminal (Kout).

Controllable current source for a phase locked loop

An inductive element ( ) of an integrated circuit, comprising at least one turn ( ), which is formed by an integrated elongated track ( ) made of a conductive material, wherein the interior margin of the conductive track ( ) comprises at least one recess ( ). The invention makes it possible in particular to increase the inductivity of the element ( ) in a given available space on the substrate of an integrated circuit.

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Munich, Germany

Christophe Holuigue