Patent ID: 7733076

Claim:
An integrated circuit configured to couple with a resistance element that is external to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising: a first source to generate a first reference current that is a ratio of a first reference voltage and a resistance corresponding to the resistance element, wherein the resistance element is external to the integrated circuit; a second source to generate a second, different, reference current, wherein a value of the first reference current differs from a value of the second reference current; and a current control circuit in communication with the first source and the second source, the current control circuit configured to control the second reference current, wherein the value of the second reference current is related to a ratio of a second reference voltage and the resistance, wherein the current control circuit is configured to control the second reference current without the second source or the current control circuit being directly coupled to the resistance element, wherein the current control circuit is configured to receive the first reference current and the second reference current.