Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Harold Humberfeld, Esq.
  • Patent number: 6222399
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for starting a bandgap circuit which is in a “non-start” mode. The circuit incorporates an inverter circuit with hysterysis and sharp transitions caused by a positive feedback loop. The inverter circuit, which is connected at its input to a bandgap voltage node of the bandgap circuit, activates a switching transistor when voltage (Vbg) at the bandgap voltage node is low and deactivates the switching transistor when Vbg is high. The switching transistor draws current from a critical node of the bandgap circuit, such as the drain of a current mirror PMOS transistor, when it is activated, starting the bandgap circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Imbornone, Jean-Marc Mourant