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:
Nov. 02, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 28, 2002
Silicon Laboratories, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for interfacing an integrated circuit with external circuitry includes a transistor having an emitter coupled to a node for receiving a control current (IP) from the integrated circuit. A beta compensator disposed within the integrated circuit provides a compensating current (IM) to the node. The compensating current IM is proportional to a base current (IB) of the transistor. A method of interfacing the integrated circuit with external circuitry includes the step of providing the control current (IP) from the integrated circuit to a node coupled to a transistor emitter. A compensating current (IM) is provided to the node in response to the transistor base current (IB). The net node current provided to the emitter is IP+IB so that the transistor collector current is substantially the same as the control current. The transistor collector is coupled to the external circuitry.