Patent ID: 7279953
Filing Date: 2007-10-09
Classification: G01R,H03K

Abstract:
1. A method of driving a current switch, the switch being driven by a differential drive signal, the switch switching a current, the method comprising: providing the current switch, the switch including a first steering transistor and a second steering transistor, the amplitude of the drive signal limited to provide incomplete current steering by the first and second steering transistors, a leakage current through the switch flowing from collector to emitter of an off transistor of the first steering transistor and the second steering transistor; monitoring the temperature of the switch; monitoring the current through the switch; and controlling the amplitude of the drive signal of the switch to be substantially equal to the product of the absolute temperature of the switch and a predetermined constant value; and controlling the amplitude of the drive signal of the switch as a function of the current through the switch such that the leakage current through the switch is substantially constant.