The present disclosure relates in general to electrical and electronic circuits, and more particularly to an auto-calibrated voltage reference for use in electrical and electronic circuits.
In many applications, it is desirable to provide a well-regulated constant voltage reference for use by one or more electrical or electronic circuits (e.g., to a delta-sigma modulator, analog-to-digital converter, or digital-to-analog converter). However, providing such a voltage reference with high precision may consume significant amounts of power, which may be undesirable in many applications, particularly those that rely on batteries for operation.
In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, one or more disadvantages and problems associated with providing an accurate reference voltage may be reduced or eliminated.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a controller may be configured to determine a presence or an absence of a condition for calibrating a first voltage reference for generating a first voltage for operating a circuit, responsive to the presence of the condition, enable a second voltage reference to generate a second voltage for calibrating the first voltage reference, wherein the second voltage reference has a higher precision than the first voltage reference, and responsive to the absence of the condition, disable the second voltage reference.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include determining a presence or an absence of a condition for calibrating a first voltage reference, the first voltage reference for generating a first voltage for operating a circuit. The method may also include responsive to the presence of the condition, enabling a second voltage reference to generate a second voltage for calibrating the first voltage reference, the second voltage reference having higher precision than the first voltage reference. The method may further include, responsive to the absence of the condition, disabling the second voltage reference.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a first voltage reference for generating a first voltage for operating a circuit, a second voltage reference having higher precision than the first voltage reference, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a presence or an absence of a condition for calibrating the first voltage reference. The controller may also be configured to, responsive to the presence of the condition, enable the second voltage reference to generate a second voltage for calibrating the first voltage reference. The controller may further be configured to, responsive to the absence of the condition, disable the second voltage reference.
Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure.
A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
As shown in
By providing a precision voltage reference 10 within the same circuit 2 as main voltage reference 6, calibration of main voltage reference 6 with precision voltage 10 may always be available when needed by main voltage reference 6. In addition, because precision voltage reference 10 may only be enabled in response to passage of time, changes in temperature, and/or changes in the rate of change in temperature, such calibration may be performed only as needed.
As shown in
In operation example electronic circuit 2A, when precision voltage reference 10 is enabled, calibration circuitry 18A may compare reference voltage VREF to reference voltage VR and based on the comparison, modify resistances of either or both of variable resistor 32 and variable resistor 34 to minimize the error between reference voltage VREF and reference voltage VR. In these and other embodiments, calibration circuitry 18A may modify characteristics of other components of main voltage reference 6A in order to undertake calibration, including without limitation transistor 26, transistor 28, resistors 22, and operational amplifier 24.
In some embodiments, some components of electronic circuit 2A (e.g., precision voltage reference controller 12, and calibration circuitry 18A) may be integral to a single integrated circuit 36, while other components may be external to integrated circuit 36.
In some embodiments, some components of electronic circuit 2B (e.g, precision voltage reference controller 12, and calibration circuitry 18B, main voltage reference 6, and operational circuitry 8B) may be integral to a single integrated circuit 48, while other components may be external to integrated circuit 48.
In some embodiments, some components of electronic circuit 2C (e.g, precision voltage reference controller 12, calibration circuitry 18C, main voltage reference 6, and operational circuitry 8C) may be integral to a single integrated circuit 58, while other components may be external to integrated circuit 58.
As used herein, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled” to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements are in electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable, whether connected indirectly or directly, with or without intervening elements.
This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/031,056, filed Jul. 30, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5280455 | Kanaishi | Jan 1994 | A |
5283515 | Jordan | Feb 1994 | A |
7164997 | Batra | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7397228 | Barrows | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7525338 | Nguyen | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7557550 | Mellachurvu | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7728575 | Ozalevli | Jun 2010 | B1 |
8446141 | McGinn | May 2013 | B1 |
20040066180 | Harrison | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20080001623 | Kim | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080191790 | Brox | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20100156519 | Cremonesi | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20120062275 | Hiraki | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120235488 | Hamanaka | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20130093505 | Gupta | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130154866 | Fabregas | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20150102791 | Haider | Apr 2015 | A1 |
20150205312 | Hyun | Jul 2015 | A1 |
20160041571 | Kochkin | Feb 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62031056 | Jul 2014 | US |