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:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 23, 1998
James B Nolan, Chandler, AZ (US);
David Susak, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Microchip Technology Incorporated, Chandler, AZ (US);
Abstract
A fast start-up circuit for use in integrated circuits where there are internal nodes of reference circuits that need to be charged to a predetermined voltage level at a quicker rate than that delivered by the typical ramping up of supply power. The circuit a current driven approach, which is unique from the voltage driven approaches found in the prior art. The circuit is comprised of a high gain reference circuit and a current generator. The reference circuit is comprised of a bias generator and a high gain amplifier. The invention is characterized by a current generator which is capable of rapidly injecting relatively high levels of current into the reference circuit or sinking relatively high levels of current from the reference circuit or both. The invention is further characterized by a current driven feedback loop which deactivates the current generator once start-up is achieved and the high gain reference circuit approaches the quiescent point.