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:
Oct. 28, 1997
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1996
Ralf Beier, Hamburg, DE;
Axel Nathe, Hamburg, DE;
U.S. Philips Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
A current mirror arrangement comprising at least one input transistor of a first conductivity type, whose emitter is connected to a current supply line and whose collector is arranged to carry an input current. At least one output transistor of the first conductivity type has its emitter connected to the current supply line and its base to the base of the input transistor and from whose collector an output current can be taken. A follower transistor of the first conductivity type has its emitter connected to the bases of the input transistor and the output transistor and its base to the collector of the input transistor, and has its collector coupled to a reference potential. In order to ensure a well-defined load of the current supply line in any operating condition, the current mirror arrangement also includes a control transistor of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The control transistor has its collector connected to the collector of the input transistor and its emitter to the reference potential via an emitter current source. The base of the control transistor is arranged to receive a control voltage for controlling the output current. The collector of the follower transistor is coupled to the reference potential via a resistor. A further transistor of the second conductivity type has its emitter connected to the emitter of the control transistor, its base to the collector of the follower transistor, and its collector to the current supply line.