Patent ID: 6617889
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A signal amplitude comparator configured to receive an input voltage and a reference input voltage and is configured to generate an output which indicates whether the input voltage exceeds a pre-determined threshold value, said signal amplitude comparator comprising a first differential input circuit that is biased, is configured to receive the input voltage, and is configured to generate a first output current that is a non-linear function of the input voltage, a second differential input circuit which is biased similarly to the first differential input circuit, is configured to receive the reference input voltage, and is configured to generate a second output current that generally tracks process, temperature and supply variation, and a comparator which is connected to the first differential input circuit and the second differential input circuit and is configured to receive the first output current from the first differential input circuit and the second output current from the second differential input circuit, said comparator configured to compare the first and second output currents and generate the output which indicates whether said input voltage exceeds the pre-determined threshold value.