Patent ID: 8169258

Claim:
A semiconductor integrated circuit, comprising: a reference voltage generating block configured to generate a first reference voltage defining a reference for an operation related to the function of the semiconductor integrated circuit; a code generating block configured to generate and output a digital code corresponding to the voltage level of the first reference voltage; a circuit block configured to convert the digital code into a second reference voltage and use the second reference voltage for the operation; and a transmission line connected between the reference voltage generating block and the circuit block to transmit the digital code, wherein the code generating block comprises: a digital driver configured to generate a reference current, wherein an amount of the reference current is dependent upon the digital code; a potential difference generating element configured to generate a code conversion voltage in proportion to the amount of the reference current; and a comparator configured to generate a comparison signal by comparing the code conversion voltage with the first reference voltage, wherein the potential difference generating element is a transistor having a drain connected to the digital driver, a source connected to a ground terminal, and a gate.