Patent Publication Number: US-6700362-B2

Title: Switchable current source

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a current source that can be switched between a current-controlled mode and a voltage-controlled mode. 
     Such current sources are used in a multitude of applications, for example in connection with digital/analog converters. 
     In the current-controlled mode, the switchable current source is supplied with a current Iref which passes on to other circuit sections on an integrated circuit via a current mirror. In the voltage-controlled mode, the switchable current source is supplied with a reference voltage Vref which converts it to a reference current Iref=Vref/R via a resistor R, and this current, too, is passed on to the other circuit sections of the integrated circuit via the current mirror. 
     These two modes are required particularly frequently in video chips for the consumer market in order to provide manufacturers of television sets with a greater flexibility in the basic setting of the picture information outputs for the RGB signals. 
     A circuit configuration suitable for this purpose is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,688. That circuit configuration has the disadvantage, however, that there an operational amplifier no longer has negative feedback in the current-controlled mode which can trigger fluctuations in its output and, as a result, substrate disturbances which can lead to picture faults. 
     That disadvantage is eliminated by the circuit configuration described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,219. This is done by the operational amplifier being switched off in the current-controlled mode with the aid of a comparator and a circuit called a “power-down” circuit. 
     A significant disadvantage of the circuit configuration known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,219 consists, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 of that document, in the necessity of having to provide four package pinouts of an integrated circuit for the range of functions required. As a result, the switchable current source becomes larger and more expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a switchable current source, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provides for a current source which can be switched between a current-controlled mode and a voltage-controlled mode, which operates in a stable manner under all circumstances and which manages with a minimum number of package pinouts. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a current source that can be switched between a current-controlled mode and a voltage-controlled mode. The circuit comprises: 
     first and second input connections and one output connection; 
     a transistor having a drain terminal connected to the first input connection and having a gate or base connected to the output connection; 
     an operational amplifier having a first input terminal connected to the first input connection and a second input terminal connected to the second input connection; 
     controllable switches connected to ensure that the transistor is driven by the output signal of the operational amplifier in the voltage-controlled mode and is driven by the voltage at the drain terminal of the transistor in the current-controlled mode; 
     a comparator generating an output signal for controlling the controllable switches; 
     the comparator having an input terminal connected to the second input connection; and 
     wherein a potential to be applied to the second input connection in the current-controlled mode clearly differs from a occurring at the second input connection in the voltage-controlled mode and from a potential occurring at the first input connection in the current-controlled mode. 
     In accordance with an added feature of the invention, when the current source is to be operated in the current-controlled mode: 
     the first input connection is supplied with a reference current; and 
     the second input connection is placed at a potential by way of which the output signal of the comparator is brought to a value by way of which the switches are switched to a position the switches must assume in the current-controlled mode. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, when the current source is to be operated in the voltage-controlled mode: 
     the first input connection is connected to a reference potential via a resistor; and 
     a reference voltage is applied to the second input connection. 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the potential applied to the second input connection in the current-controlled mode is selected such that a threshold voltage of the comparator lies between the potential applied to the second input connection and a potential at the second input connection in the voltage-controlled mode. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the threshold voltage of the comparator is selected to lie in a vicinity of a potential to be applied to the second input connection in the current-controlled mode. 
     In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, the threshold voltage of the comparator is selected to lie in a vicinity of a potential of one pole of a supply voltage. 
     In accordance with again an additional feature of the invention, the threshold voltage of the comparator is selected to lie closer to a potential of one pole of the supply voltage than to a potential of the other pole of the supply voltage. 
     In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the threshold voltage of the comparator is selected to lie 100 to 1500 mV above the potential of the pole of the supply voltage exhibiting the lower potential. 
     In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, the threshold voltage of the comparator is selected to lie 100 to 1500 mV below the potential of the pole of the supply voltage exhibiting the higher potential. 
     In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the potential to be applied to the second input connection in the current-controlled mode, and the potential occurring at the first input connection in the current-controlled mode, are selected such that a difference therebetween is so great that the operational amplifier is overdriven. 
     The current source according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that it is provided with only two input connections and one output connection, 
     the output connection being connected to the gate or base terminal of a transistor, 
     the current source having controllable switches which ensure that the transistor is driven by the output signal of an operational amplifier in the voltage-controlled mode and is driven by the voltage occurring at the drain terminal of the transistor in the current-controlled mode, 
     the switches being controlled in dependence on the output signal of a comparator, 
     the first input connection of the current source being connected to the drain terminal of the transistor and a first input terminal of the operational amplifier, 
     the second input connection of the current source being connected to the second input terminal of the operational amplifier and one of the input terminals of the comparator, and 
     the potential to be applied to the second input connection of the current source in the current-controlled mode clearly differing both from the potential occurring at the second input connection of the current source in the voltage-controlled mode and from the potential occurring at the first input connection of the current source in the current-controlled mode. 
     The fact that the current source manages with only two input connections and one output connection is caused, in particular, by the particular choice of voltages applied to the input connections or, respectively, the impressed currents. 
     Due to the fact that the potential applied to the second input connection of the current source in the current-controlled mode is selected in such a manner that it clearly differs from the potential applied to this input connection in the voltage-controlled mode, the switching threshold of the comparator can be set to a value which ensures under all circumstances that the switches controlled by the comparator are operated in such a manner that the current source operates in the current-controlled mode when it is intended to operate in the current-controlled mode and that the current source operates in the voltage-controlled mode when it is intended to operate in the voltage-controlled mode. 
     Due to the fact that the potential applied to the second input connection of the current source in the current-controlled mode is selected in such a manner that it clearly differs from the potential present at the first input connection of the current source in the current-controlled mode, a large voltage difference or, more precisely, a voltage difference overdriving the operational amplifier, is obtained at the input terminals of the operational amplifier as a result of which the operational amplifier always outputs the maximum output signal and the output signal, therefore, is not subject to any, or, at the most, negligibly small fluctuations. 
     This results in a reliable switchover resistant to disturbances, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, in an output current which is stable under all circumstances, even though the current source only has two input connections. 
     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a switchable current source, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of the basic structure of the current source according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic showing an exemplary practical implementation of the current source of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description pertains to a switchable current source forming a part of an integrated circuit. It will be readily understood, however, that the current source can also be implemented in any other way. 
     Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a switchable current source designated by the reference USQ. It contains an operational amplifier OP, a comparator COMP, controlled switches S 1  and S 2 , and at least one transistor T 1 . Three connecting terminals KA, KB and KC are provided. The terminals KA and KB represent a first and a second input connection and terminal KC represents an output connection. 
     Of the input and output connections KA to KC, 
     the output connection KC is connected to the gate or base terminal of the transistor T 1 ; 
     the first input connection KA is connected to the drain terminal of the transistor T 1  and to a first input terminal + of the operational amplifier OP; and 
     the second input connection KB of the current source is connected to the second input terminal − of the operational amplifier OP and to one of the input terminals of the comparator COMP. 
     The transistor T 1  is arranged in such a manner that, acting together with a further transistor connected to the output connection KC, it forms a current mirror which has the effect that the current flowing through transistor T 1  is mirrored in the further transistor connected to the output connection KC. 
     In the example considered, the transistor T 1  is a p-channel MOSFET, the source terminal of which is connected to the positive pole VDD of the supply voltage. However, it can also be replaced by a bipolar PNP transistor depending on the process technology used for implementing the integrated circuit. 
     Exchanging the supply voltage terminals VDD, GND provides a complementary circuit wherein the transistor T 1  can be implemented by an N-channel MOSFET or a bipolar NPN transistor. 
     The controllable switches S 1  and S 2  ensure that the transistor T 1  is driven by the output signal OA of the operational amplifier OP in the voltage-controlled mode and is driven by the voltage occurring at the drain terminal of transistor T 1  in the current-controlled mode. The switches S 1  and S 2  themselves are controlled in dependence on the output signal CA of the comparator COMP. 
     The block MOD 1  shows the external circuitry connected to terminals KA and KB of the switchable current source USQ for the voltage-controlled mode: 
     Accordingly, in the voltage-controlled mode, 
     a resistor R is connected to the terminal KA; and 
     a reference voltage Vref coming from a voltage source SPQ is applied to terminal KB. 
     The reference voltage Vref is selected in such a manner that the output CA of the comparator COMP assumes a state wherein the controlled switch S 1  is closed and the controlled switch S 2  is open; in the example considered, the reference voltage Vref must be above the switching threshold of the comparator COMP for this purpose. Due to the closed, switch S 1  and the open switch S 2 , the operational amplifier OP has such a negative feedback that a voltage, which, in the ideal case, corresponds to the voltage at terminal KB with respect to the reference potential GND occurs across the resistor R. In this process the control loop consisting of the operational amplifier OP and transistor T 1  brings the terminal KC to a potential at which the transistor T 1  generates a reference current Iref=Vref/R. By connecting the gates or the base of other transistors to the terminal KC, a current mirror can be formed by means of which the reference current can be distributed over further sections within the integrated circuit. 
     The block MOD 2  shows the external circuitry connected to terminals KA and KB of the switchable current source USQ for the current-controlled mode: 
     Accordingly, in the current-controlled mode, 
     the terminal KA is supplied with a reference current Iref coming from a current source STQ, and 
     the terminal KB is placed at a potential at which the comparator COMP assumes at its output CA a state at which the controlled switch S 1  is open and the controlled switch S 2  is closed. 
     Due to the fact that the switch S 1  is opened in the current-controlled mode, the operational amplifier OP does not have any influence on the conditions occurring at terminal KC; these are exclusively determined by the reference current Iref supplied to the terminal KA. 
     The potential applied to terminal KB in the current-controlled mode is preferably selected in such a manner that it clearly differs 
     both from the potential applied to the terminal KB in the voltage-controlled mode (the reference potential Vref) 
     and from the potential present at the terminal KA in the current-controlled mode. 
     Due to the fact that the potential applied to the terminal KB in the current-controlled mode is selected in such a manner that it clearly differs from the potential applied to terminal KB in the voltage-controlled mode (the reference potential Vref), the switching threshold of the comparator COMP determining the position of the switches S 1  and S 2  can be set to a value by means of which it can be ensured under all circumstances 
     that the switch S 1  is closed and the switch S 2  is opened in the voltage-controlled mode and 
     that the switch S 1  is opened and the switch S 2  is closed in the current-controlled mode. 
     This eliminates the possibility that the current source operates in the current-controlled mode when it is intended to operate in the voltage-controlled mode and/or that the current source operates in the voltage-controlled mode when it is intended to operate in the current-controlled mode. 
     Due to the fact that the potential applied to the terminal KB in the current-controlled mode is selected in such a manner that it clearly differs from the potential present at terminal KA in the current-controlled mode, a large voltage difference, more precisely a voltage difference overdriving the operational amplifier, occurs at the input terminals of the operational amplifier OP, as a result of which the operational amplifier OP always outputs the maximum output signal and the output signal, therefore, is not subject to any or at the most negligibly small fluctuations. 
     In the example considered, the various requirements for the ratios of the amplitudes of the voltages applied to terminals KA and KB are met due to the fact that in the current-controlled mode, the terminal KB is connected to the negative pole GND of the supply voltage. 
     This results in a reliable switchover resistant to disturbances, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, in an output current which is stable under all circumstances. 
     A comparator COMP is preferably used, the internal switching threshold of which is in the vicinity of the potential applied to terminal KB in the current-controlled mode, that is to say, for example, some 100 mV above GND in the example considered. The potential (GND) applied to terminal KB in the current-controlled mode places such a comparator in the state which it must be in for placing the current source into the current-controlled mode (by appropriate drive to the switches S 1  and S 2 ) and, on the other hand, the potential (Vref) applied to terminal KB in the voltage-controlled mode places it into the state which it must be in for placing the current source into the voltage-controlled mode (by appropriate drive to the switches S 1  and S 2 ). The latter is the case largely independently of the selected reference voltage Vref; the only condition is that it must not be between GND and the switching threshold of the comparator COMP which, however, can be avoided without problems in practice since, of course, the current generated by the current source depends not only on the reference voltage Vref but, to the same extent, on the resistor R connected to terminal KA. 
     For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that in the complementary case, in the current-controlled mode, terminal KB would be connected to the positive supply potential VDD and a comparator COMP would be used, the switch threshold of which is some 100 mV below VDD. 
     The small switching thresholds used can be achieved by an asymmetry in comparator circuits which is intentionally designed in, but the use of transistor switching thresholds is also conceivable which lowers the circuit expenditure for the comparator (this will be explained in greater detail later with reference to FIG.  2 ). 
     When the terminal KB is connected to GND, the potential applied to the terminal KB is in every case far below the potential at terminal KA which is identical to the potential at terminal KC due to the controllable switch S 2  being closed in the current-controlled mode. This is the result of the higher supply voltage VDD minus the gate-source voltage or the base-emitter voltage of the transistor T 1  and is in every case clearly above the supply potential GND. As a result, the input marked plus of the operational amplifier OP is at a very much higher potential than its input marked minus and the output of a suitable operational amplifier is then reliably at a stable maximum value and does not shift. This eliminates the risk of a fluctuation at this output without having to use the “power-down” circuit proposed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,219. The current source described above with reference to FIG. 1 has fewer elements than the current source described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,219 and, moreover, needs two package pinouts as input connections, at the most. 
     It is also conceivable to allow the switchover to occur within an integrated circuit e.g. by connecting other controllable switches to terminals KA and KB of the current source circuit USQ, and by integrating the reference voltage source SPQ and/or the reference current source STQ and/or the resistor R on the same semiconductor body, wherein arrangement the other controllable switches are then driven, for example, by a digital configuration register of the integrated circuit. The current source circuit described here thus represents a flexible functional block which can be used in many ways. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exemplary practical implementation of the circuit according to FIG. 1 in a CMOS process. For this example, too, it holds true that a complementary circuit can be derived by exchanging the supply voltage terminals VDD, GND and replacing n-channel MOSFETs with p-channel MOSFETs. 
     The operational amplifier OP is implemented by transistors T 2  to T 6  and the comparator COMP is implemented by transistors T 7  and T 8  which are interconnected as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The output terminal CA of the comparator COMP is connected to an inverter INV formed by transistors T 9  and T 10 ; this inverter INV forms a complementary signal CA\ from the signal output from the comparator. 
     The controllable switches S 1  and S 2  are implemented by p-channel MOSFETs, the gate terminals of which are connected to the signals CA (switch S 1 ) and CA\ (switch S 2 ), respectively. 
     Between the positive input terminal + of the operational amplifier OP and the output terminal OA of the operational amplifier OP, a resistor Rc and a capacitor Cc connected in series therewith are arranged. These elements are used for compensating for the frequency response of the control loop which is produced when the switch S 1  is closed and the switch S 2  is open, that is to say in the voltage-controlled mode of the current source. 
     The operation of the circuit corresponds to the basic principle explained with reference to FIG.  1 . In the text which follows, only the peculiarities to be found in the mode switching and the comparators will be discussed. 
     The comparator COMP is a single circuit since high accuracy of the switching threshold is not of importance. The switching threshold is essentially given by the threshold voltage of transistor T 7  and its process gain, and by a current Ic which is supplied to it via transistor T 8 . The gate terminal G 8  of the latter is connected to a suitable potential Vbp for this purpose so that the transistor T 8  supplies a defined drain current Ic. 
     In the current-controlled mode, external circuitry according to block MOD 2  is connected to terminals KA, KB. In other words at terminal KB, a potential is present which is below the threshold voltage of the transistor T 7 , GND in the example. As a result, transistor T 7  is cut off and the current Ic from transistor T 8  brings the output CA of the comparator COMP to the potential VDD as a result of which switch S 1  is opened. The output CA\ of the inverter INV goes to GND, as a result of which switch S 2  is closed. The circuit is thus placed into the current-controlled mode. If then a current source STQ is connected to terminal KA and draws from it a current Iref, a potential which produces a mirrored current Iref′ in a transistor T 11  connected thereto with its gate occurs at terminal KC. It is possible to have a multiplicity of such transistors within such a current mirror in order to multiply the current Iref′ and to supply it to other circuits. 
     When the transistor T 7  is cut off, the transistor T 3  of the differential stage T 3 /T 4  of the operational amplifier is also cut off. In consequence, the bias current Ib supplied to the differential stage via the low-end current source T 2 , which is dependent on a potential Vbn at the gate terminal G 2  of the transistor T 2 , completely flows to the current mirror T 5 , T 6  via transistor T 4 . Since transistor T 3  is cut off, a potential VDD occurs at the output OA of the operational amplifier. This eliminates fluctuations of this output due to the negative feedback being switched off. 
     In the voltage-controlled mode, external circuitry according to block MOD 1  is connected to terminals KA, KB. At the terminal KB, a potential Vref is present which is sufficiently far above the threshold voltage of T 7 , typically 1.23 V from a band gap reference or higher, so that T 7  could draw a drain current which is greater than the current Ic coming from T 8 . Since the current Ic is lower than the possible drain current of T 7  due to the design of the circuit and the choice of the gate potential Vbp, it pulls the output CA of the comparator down to GND potential as a result of which switch S 1  is closed. The output CA\ of the inverter INV goes to VDD as a result of which the switch S 2  is opened. The circuit is thus placed into the voltage-controlled mode. If then a resistor R is connected to GND at terminal KA, the operational amplifier, which now has negative feedback, transfers the potential Vref to the resistor R by controlling the gate terminal of T 1  via the switch S 1 , for which the current Iref=Vref/R must flow in T 1 . A transistor T 11  connected to terminal KC thus also supplies a reference current Iref=Vref/R. The accuracy of Iref essentially depends on the offset voltage of the operational amplifier which is why the reference voltage Vref should preferably be selected in such a manner that its amount is much higher than the offset voltage. In the implementation chosen here, Vref can never be selected to be too small, due to the threshold voltage designed into the comparator, so that a typical practical offset voltage of a few 10 mV is not so very important. There would be no purpose in greater expenditure, for example using a more elaborate operational amplifier, since the mismatch error produced by statistical spread in the transistors of an output current mirror connected to KC is the dominant cause of deviations of Iref from the ideal value in both operating modes. 
     In the voltage-controlled mode, T 1 , together with the resistor R connected to the terminal KA, forms an amplifier stage which can produce a relatively wide range of values of the gain factor F=Gm*R depending on the mutual conductance Gm of the transistor T 1  and the value of R. The series circuit of the resistor Rc and the capacitor Cc produces a Miller compensation of the entire control loop and, if it is expertly dimensioned, is capable of guaranteeing its stability for any value of the gain factor F occurring in practice. This dimensioning can be assumed as known from the theory of the so-called Miller-compensated operational amplifier. The dynamic characteristic of the circuit is essentially dependent on the mutual conductance of the transistors T 3 , T 4  in the operational amplifier and on the value of the capacitor Cc and the low-end current Ib, and not on the gain factor F. 
     It is also possible to obtain a multiple of the reference current or a fraction thereof by scaling the current mirror formed by the transistors T 1  and T 11 , for example by changing the range of the transistors. 
     A multiplicity of bias circuits such as, e.g. the bias circuit from Wai-Kai Chen: “The Circuit and Filters Handbook”, CRC Press 1995, FIG. 57.56, page 1686 are suitable for generating the gate potentials Vbn and Vbp. 
     The gate potentials Vbn and Vbp can be picked up directly at the gates of the corresponding p-channel and n-channel current mirror of this bias circuit. 
     To meet higher requirements for accuracy and better suppression of supply disturbances, the current sources in the exemplary circuit of FIG. 2 can be additionally provided with cascode transistors. It is easily possible to make functional blocks such as COMP and OP more elaborate without deviating from the basic concept of the invention according to FIG.  1 . 
     The current source described operates in a stable manner under all circumstances independently of the details of the practical implementation and, in doing so, manages with only two input connections.