Patent ID: 7626427

Claim:
A voltage comparator for comparing a comparison voltage with a threshold, the voltage comparator comprising: a first voltage-to-current converter for converting a reference voltage, which determines the threshold, into a reference current that depends on the reference voltage; a second voltage-to-current converter for converting the comparison voltage into a comparison current that depends on the comparison voltage; an output stage for outputting a digital output level, the digital output level being dependent on the reference current and the comparison current, the output stage being connected to a current summation node, wherein the comparison current and a threshold current are added, wherein the threshold current is dependent on the reference current, wherein at least one of the threshold current or the comparison current assumes a negative value in the summation; and a transistor configured to limit the voltage applied between the current summation node and a ground connection of the output stage, wherein the current summation node is configured to be connected via the transistor to the second voltage-to-current converter, the transistor having a higher breakdown voltage than the output stage.