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:
Feb. 19, 2013
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2008
Hendrik Santo, San Jose, CA (US);
Kien Vi, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Dilip S, Saratoga, CA (US);
Atmel Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to circuits and methods for detecting transistor operation in the triode region including a circuit for a transistor in a constant current source. The circuit comprises a detector having a first input, a second input, and an output. The first input of the detector is coupled to the source of the transistor and the second input of the detector is coupled to the set point terminal of the constant current source. The circuit also comprises a flag coupled to the detector output. The detector has parameters selected so that, when the voltage at the source of the transistor satisfies a reference condition, the output of the detector sets the flag. The reference condition is established relative to the voltage at the set point terminal of the constant current source and relative to the triode transition voltage of the transistor at a selected drain-source current.