Patent ID: 6184724
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G01R,G11C,H03K

Abstract:
A voltage detector circuit for determining the potential of a supply voltage that is provided on a first input node, the voltage detector circuit comprising:a first MOS device operably coupled to the first input node and configured such that a first current flows through the first MOS device;a second MOS device operably coupled to the first input node and configured such that a second current flows through the second MOS device;a bias circuit coupled to the first MOS device and the second MOS device, wherein the bias circuit acts in combination with the first MOS device and the second MOS device to affect the level of the first current and the level of the second current in response to the potential of the supply voltage such that when the potential of the supply voltage is greater than a first potential the difference between the level of the first current and the level of the second current comprises a first current difference, and when the potential of the supply voltage is less than the first potential the difference between the level of the first current and the level of the second current comprises a second current difference that is greater than the first current difference;a drain voltage controller circuit coupled to the first MOS device and the second MOS device and to the output circuit, wherein the drain voltage controller circuit acts in combination with the bias circuit to equalize voltages on first and second MOS devices; andan output circuit that receives the first current and the second current and generates an output signal that indicates the potential of the supply voltage in response to the difference between the level of the first current and the level of the second current.