Patent ID: 7482858
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
1. A temperature-sensitive current source comprising: a first MOS transistor having a source coupled to a first voltage; a second MOS transistor having a source coupled to the first voltage, and a gate coupled to a gate of the first MOS transistor, such that a current output at a drain of the second MOS transistor mirrors a current passing across the first MOS transistor; a resistor set including a first resistor and a second resistor coupled in series between the source and a drain of the first MOS transistor in parallel, such that the current passing across the first MOS transistor is substantially larger than a current passing through the resistor set, wherein a resistance of the resistor set is designed to operate the first and second MOS transistors in a saturation mode, such that the output current at the drain of the second MOS transistor is responsive to a change of temperature; and a third MOS transistor coupled between the drain of the first MOS transistor and a second voltage lower than the first voltage.