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:
Jul. 29, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 14, 2001
Siew Siong Teo, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Michael Eugene Broach, San Mateo, CA (US);
Richard Frank, Mountain View, CA (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
An integrated circuit system and method provides a reliable low voltage reference including undervoltage lockout capabilities that prevent a premature or false response. A physical constant trigger circuit initiates a response based upon a physical constant (e.g. a stable point associated with a voltage summation in a transistor circuit with components configured to produce equal and opposite temperature coefficients). A response includes changing polarities of the transistor circuit at a predetermined inflection point. A comparator compares signals from the physical constant trigger circuit and determines when a change occurs in the response. A voltage divider provides a varying voltage to the physical constant trigger and when the voltage level corresponds to the physical constant it is utilized as the reference voltage. An input signal port conveys an input signal to the voltage divider and output port conveys an indication of the response (e.g., a desired reference voltage is available).