Patent ID: 8564096
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An amplification circuit enabling measuring the current in a line, comprising two inputs and one output, the first input being connected to the first terminal of a first resistor having its second terminal connected to the positive input of an operational amplifier, the second input being connected to the first terminal of a second resistor having its second terminal connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier, the gain of the circuit depending on the ratio between one of the first and second resistors and a third resistor internal to the circuit, wherein each of the first and second resistors comprises a semiconductor structure comprising: a diffused resistor structure comprising a lightly-doped P-type region formed in a portion of a lightly-doped N-type semiconductor well, the well extending on a lightly-doped P-type semiconductor substrate, the well being laterally delimited by a P-type wall extending down to the substrate, the portion of the well being delimited, vertically, by a heavily-doped N-type area at the limit between the well and the substrate and, horizontally, by a heavily-doped N-type wall; and a diode placed between a terminal of the diffused resistor structure and the heavily-doped N-type wall, the cathode of the diode being connected to the terminal of the diffused resistor structure and the anode of the diode being connected to the heavily-doped N-type wall, wherein the terminal of the diffused resistor structure is positioned at a location of the lightly-doped P-type region, and wherein the diode comprises a bipolar transistor having a base connected to a collector.