Patent ID: 7646235

Claim:
A programmable current generator, comprising: a decoder unit configured to generate a first set of control signals as a function of a first portion of a current control word and to generate a second set of control signals as a function of a second portion of the current control word; a first array of current sources switchable as a function of the first set of control signals, the first array providing a first current and an auxiliary current, each dependent on the first set of control signals and on a reference current; a second array of current sources switchable as a function of the second set of control signals, wherein the second array of current sources comprises current mirrors configured to mirror the auxiliary current from the first array of current sources, and the second array providing a second current dependent on the second set of control signals and on the auxiliary current; a current mixer configured to scale the first current by a first non-unity factor to provide a first scaled current, and configured to scale the second current by a second non-unity factor to provide a second scaled current; and a current output to provide an output current based on the first scaled current and the second scaled current.