The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1994
Michael R Kay, Richardson, TX (US);
Frank L Thiel, V, Austin, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
An oscillator is provided for use in integrated circuits of the type that are employed in various, relatively low power, power management systems such as can be found in mobile communications systems and the like. The oscillator provides an output frequency that is highly stable over a range of conventional operational parameters. The oscillator provides a current generator that is comprised of a pair of NMOS transistors and a pair of PMOS transistors that are arranged such that the respective gates of each pair are connected to one another to establish current mirroring. The current generator is connected to a hysteresis circuit, which is operable to develop a potential difference in the circuit. The hysteresis circuit includes an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor that are respectively and correspondingly coupled to the current-mirroring NMOS and PMOS transistor pairs of the current generator. The hysteresis circuit also includes second, gate-connected NMOS and PMOS transistors and a switch array that is comprised of connected NMOS/PMOS transistor pairs. The NMOS/PMOS transistor pairs of the switch are operable in tandem such that no more than one of the NMOS/PMOS transistor pairs is closed at any time during operation of the circuit. A feedback control system is provided to regulate oscillator switch operation.