Current Sources and Voltage References

Current Sources and Voltage References

by Linden T. Harrison
Released August 2005
Publisher(s): Newnes
ISBN: 9780080455556

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Book description

Current Sources and Voltage References provides fixed, well-regulated levels of current or voltage within a circuit. These are two of the most important “building blocks “ of analog circuits, and are typically used in creating most analog IC designs.

Part 1 shows the reader how current sources are created, how they can be optimized, and how they can be utilized by the OEM circuit designer. The book serves as a “must-have” reference for the successful development of precision circuit applications. It shows practical examples using either BJTs, FETs, precision op amps, or even matched CMOS arrays being used to create highly accurate current source designs, ranging from nanoAmps to Amps. In each chapter the most important characteristics of the particular semiconductor type being studied are carefully reviewed. This not only serves as a helpful refresher for experienced engineers, but also as a good foundation for all EE student coursework, and includes device models and relevant equations.

Part 2 focuses on semiconductor voltage references, from their design to their various practical enhancements. It ranges from the simple Zener diode to today’s most advanced topologies, including Analog Devices’ XFET® and Intersil’s FGA™ (invented while this book was being written). Over 300 applications and circuit diagrams are shown throughout this easy-to-read, practical reference book.

* Discusses how to design low-noise, precision current sources using matched transistor pairs.

* Explains the design of high power current sources with power MOSFETs

* Gives proven techniques to reduce drift and improve accuracy in voltage references.

Table of contents

  1. front cover
  2. copyright
  3. table of contents (1/2)
  4. table of contents (2/2)
  5. front matter
  6. Figures
  7. Tables
  8. Acknowledgements
  9. body
  10. 1. A Short History of References
    1. 1.1 Introduction
    2. 1.2 The first JFETs and op amps
    3. 1.3 The first bandgaps
    4. 1.4 The buried-zener debuts
    5. 1.5 Advancements in technology
    6. 1.6 Other topologies emerge
  11. 2. An Introduction to Current Sources
    1. 2.1 An overview
    2. 2.2 Precision resistors, networks, and trimmers (1/2)
    3. 2.2 Precision resistors, networks, and trimmers (2/2)
    4. 2.3 Essential development equipment
  12. 3. The P-N Junction
    1. 3.1 Characteristics of the P-N junction
  13. 4. Using BJTs to Create Current Sources
    1. 4.1 Characteristics of the BJT (1/4)
    2. 4.1 Characteristics of the BJT (2/4)
    3. 4.1 Characteristics of the BJT (3/4)
    4. 4.1 Characteristics of the BJT (4/4)
    5. 4.2 Using the BJT as a current source (1/2)
    6. 4.2 Using the BJT as a current source (2/2)
    7. 4.3 Widlar current sources (1/2)
    8. 4.3 Widlar current sources (2/2)
    9. 4.4 Wilson current mirrors (1/2)
    10. 4.4 Wilson current mirrors (2/2)
    11. 4.5 Wyatt current source
    12. 4.6 Multiple current mirrors
    13. 4.7 Cascode current mirrors
    14. 4.8 Current scaling (1/2)
    15. 4.8 Current scaling (2/2)
    16. 4.9 Modified current sources and example applications (1/5)
    17. 4.9 Modified current sources and example applications (2/5)
    18. 4.9 Modified current sources and example applications (3/5)
    19. 4.9 Modified current sources and example applications (4/5)
    20. 4.9 Modified current sources and example applications (5/5)
  14. 5. Using Precision Matched- Pairs, Duals, and Quads
    1. 5.1 Precision BJT matched-pairs
    2. 5.2 Quality dual transistors (1/2)
    3. 5.2 Quality dual transistors (2/2)
  15. 6. Using JFETs and CRDs to Create Current Sources
    1. 6.1 The JFET paved the way
    2. 6.2 Characteristics of the JFET (1/3)
    3. 6.2 Characteristics of the JFET (2/3)
    4. 6.2 Characteristics of the JFET (3/3)
    5. 6.3 Using the JFET as a current source (1/3)
    6. 6.3 Using the JFET as a current source (2/3)
    7. 6.3 Using the JFET as a current source (3/3)
    8. 6.4 The JFET cascode current source
    9. 6.5 JFET current regulator diodes (1/3)
    10. 6.5 JFET current regulator diodes (2/3)
    11. 6.5 JFET current regulator diodes (3/3)
    12. 6.6 Using JFETs to create ultra-low-leakage diodes
  16. 7. Creating Medium-Power Current Sources with DMOS FETs
    1. 7.1 Depletion-mode DMOS FETs
    2. 7.2 The importance of silicon-gate
    3. 7.3 Characteristics of depletion-mode DMOS FETs
    4. 7.4 Depletion-mode DMOS current sources
    5. 7.5 The cascode DMOS current source
    6. 7.6 The JFET-DMOS cascode current source
    7. 7.7 Lateral depletion-mode DMOS FETs
  17. 8. Creating Current Sources with Power MOSFETs
    1. 8.1 Characteristics of enhancement-mode MOSFETs (1/3)
    2. 8.1 Characteristics of enhancement-mode MOSFETs (2/3)
    3. 8.1 Characteristics of enhancement-mode MOSFETs (3/3)
    4. 8.2 Using the enhancement-mode MOSFET as a current source (1/2)
    5. 8.2 Using the enhancement-mode MOSFET as a current source (2/2)
    6. 8.3 Using “smart” power MOSFETS
    7. 8.4 IXYS power MOS current sources
    8. 8.5 Lateral enhancement-mode MOSFETs
  18. 9. Using Analog CMOS Arrays to Create Current Sources
    1. 9.1 RCA pioneered CMOS
    2. 9.2 Characteristics of CMOS FETs (1/2)
    3. 9.2 Characteristics of CMOS FETs (2/2)
    4. 9.3 Using CMOS linear arrays to create current sources (1/3)
    5. 9.3 Using CMOS linear arrays to create current sources (2/3)
    6. 9.3 Using CMOS linear arrays to create current sources (3/3)
    7. 9.4 Using ALD’s programmable EPADs to create precision current sources
    8. 9.5 ALD breaks the gate-threshold barrier (1/2)
    9. 9.5 ALD breaks the gate-threshold barrier (2/2)
  19. 10. Using Monolithic IC Current Sources and Mirrors
    1. 10.1 National’s LM134 - a monolithic IC current source
    2. 10.2 Current source applications for the LM134
    3. 10.3 Using the LM134 as a temperature sensor
    4. 10.4 TI/Burr-Brown’s REF-200 monolithic current source (1/2)
    5. 10.4 TI/Burr-Brown’s REF-200 monolithic current source (2/2)
  20. 11. Creating Precision Current Sources with Op Amps and Voltage References
    1. 11.1 How op amps evolved
    2. 11.2 Some op amp characteristics (1/2)
    3. 11.2 Some op amp characteristics (2/2)
    4. 11.3 Op amp supply bypassing and input protection
    5. 11.4 Creating current sources with op amps (1/3)
    6. 11.4 Creating current sources with op amps (2/3)
    7. 11.4 Creating current sources with op amps (3/3)
    8. 11.5 Creating precision current regulators with op amps (1/2)
    9. 11.5 Creating precision current regulators with op amps (2/2)
  21. 12. An Introduction to Voltage References
    1. 12.1 Introduction and history
    2. 12.2 Understanding voltage reference specifications (1/3)
    3. 12.2 Understanding voltage reference specifications (2/3)
    4. 12.2 Understanding voltage reference specifications (3/3)
    5. 12.3 Enhancing the voltage reference design (1/3)
    6. 12.3 Enhancing the voltage reference design (2/3)
    7. 12.3 Enhancing the voltage reference design (3/3)
    8. 12.4 Unused terminals on the package
    9. 12.5 Package types
    10. 12.6 PCB layout
    11. 12.7 Why not do it yourself?
    12. 12.8 Comparing precision
  22. 13. The zener Diode and the TC zener Reference
    1. 13.1 Introduction
    2. 13.2 Characteristics of the zener diode (1/4)
    3. 13.2 Characteristics of the zener diode (2/4)
    4. 13.2 Characteristics of the zener diode (3/4)
    5. 13.2 Characteristics of the zener diode (4/4)
    6. 13.3 Some simple zener applications (1/3)
    7. 13.3 Some simple zener applications (2/3)
    8. 13.3 Some simple zener applications (3/3)
    9. 13.4 Temperature-compensated zeners (1/2)
    10. 13.4 Temperature-compensated zeners (2/2)
  23. 14. Characteristics of Monolithic Voltage References
    1. 14.1 Bandgap voltage references (1/3)
    2. 14.1 Bandgap voltage references (2/3)
    3. 14.1 Bandgap voltage references (3/3)
    4. 14.2 Buried-zener voltage references (1/2)
    5. 14.2 Buried-zener voltage references (2/2)
    6. 14.3 The XFET voltage reference
    7. 14.4 The Intersil/Xicor FGA™ voltage reference
    8. 14.5 Low-voltage considerations (1/2)
    9. 14.5 Low-voltage considerations (2/2)
    10. 14.6 Comparing the different topologies
  24. 15. A Review of Some Outstanding Monolithic Voltage References and Their Applications
    1. 15.1 Applying the bandgap shunt reference (1/3)
    2. 15.1 Applying the bandgap shunt reference (2/3)
    3. 15.1 Applying the bandgap shunt reference (3/3)
    4. 15.2 Applying fixed-series bandgap references (1/3)
    5. 15.2 Applying fixed-series bandgap references (2/3)
    6. 15.2 Applying fixed-series bandgap references (3/3)
    7. 15.3 Applying adjustable-series bandgaps (1/3)
    8. 15.3 Applying adjustable-series bandgaps (2/3)
    9. 15.3 Applying adjustable-series bandgaps (3/3)
    10. 15.4 Using the Analog Devices™ XFET reference
    11. 15.5 Applying buried-zener references (1/3)
    12. 15.5 Applying buried-zener references (2/3)
    13. 15.5 Applying buried-zener references (3/3)
    14. 15.6 Applying the Intersil/Xicor FGA™ X60008 (1/2)
    15. 15.6 Applying the Intersil/Xicor FGA™ X60008 (2/2)
    16. 15.7 Multiple voltage references and multiple loads
    17. 15.8 A look to the future (1/2)
    18. 15.8 A look to the future (2/2)
  25. A. References and Tables
    1. A.1 Powers of 10 and Equivalents
  26. B. Glossary (1/2)
  27. B. Glossary (2/2)
  28. C. Bibliography
    1. C.1 PART I—Current Sources
    2. C.2 PART II—Voltage References
  29. D. Contact Information
    1. D.1 SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURERS
    2. D.2 ELECTRONICS DISTRIBUTORS
    3. D.3 PRECISION PASSIVES MANUFACTURERS
    4. D.4 INSTRUMENTATION MANUFACTURERS
    5. D.5 Magazines & Periodicals (1/3)
    6. D.5 Magazines & Periodicals (2/3)
    7. D.5 Magazines & Periodicals (3/3)

Product information

  • Title: Current Sources and Voltage References
  • Author(s): Linden T. Harrison
  • Release date: August 2005
  • Publisher(s): Newnes
  • ISBN: 9780080455556