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:
Jun. 22, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2002
Applicant:
Inventor:
Charles C. Hanson, Kenyon, MN (US);
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G05F 1/10 ; G05F 3/02 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G05F 1/10 ; G05F 3/02 ;
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing a CMOS low voltage current source. The current source embodies a voltage feedback mechanism with a low voltage gain. The current source controls a gate of an output driver FET such that a substantially constant current is maintained, even for a portion of the linear range of operation of the output FET. The current source is suitable for driving transmission lines on printed wiring boards, or other application where the load is relatively heavy or complex, and where operation near the power supply is required.