Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche

Universtà Degli Studi Di Firenze

Università Degli Studi Di Firenze

Marco De Pas

Paolo De Natale

Saverio Bartalini

Mauro Giuntini

Alessio Montori

Low-noise current source, configured to be supplied by at least one DC main supply (V) and to deliver an output current (I), the source comprising one or more current generator modules (G, G, . . . G) operating in parallel each one of which is configured to deliver a respective output current (I), whereby the output current (I) of the source is equal to the sum of the output currents (I) of said one or more current generator modules (G, G, . . . G), each current generator module (G; G; . . . G) comprising a regulator component (Q), configured to deliver the output current (I) of the current generator module (G; G; . . . G), a sensing resistor (R) connected in series to the regulator component (Q), and an error amplifier stage (IC), configured to compare a reference voltage (V) with a voltage drop (V) across the sensing resistor (R), whereby the error amplifier stage (IC) is configured to amplify an error signal equal to a difference between the between voltage (V) and voltage across the sensing resistor (R), the error amplifier stage (IC) being configured to output the amplified error signal that is configured to control the regulator component (Q), the current source being characterized in that each current generator module (G; G; . . . G) further comprises a first shunt type regulator (Z, I), configured to be connected to said at least one DC main supply (V), that is further configured to generate a dedicated supply voltage supplying the error amplifier stage (IC), whereby the error amplifier stage (IC) is configured to be supplied in a floating manner with respect to said at least one DC main supply (V).

Growing community of inventors

Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

Marco De Pas