Abstract: A compensation circuit provides a compensation current to a node of an integrated circuit that experiences increased reverse-bias leakage current between a n-type leaking epitaxial region and a p-type substrate with increased temperature. The compensation circuit includes a p-type substrate, a n-type compensator epitaxial region, an contact region, a center p-type region and a plurality of peripheral p-type regions. The peripheral p-type regions function as either a node collector or a reference collector. The compensation current is substantially determined by the ratio of the total peripheral surface area facing the center p-type region associated with the node collector and the total peripheral surface area facing the center p-type region associated with the reference collector and is also determined by the total surface area of the n-type compensator epitaxial region.

Abstract: A temperature dependent current generating circuit includes a circuitry for producing a first voltage that is substantially constant over temperature, circuitry for producing a second voltage that increases with increasing temperature, wherein the second voltage intersects the first voltage at a predefined temperature, and a comparator circuit receiving the first and second voltages. The comparator circuit is responsive to the first and second voltages to source a compensation current below the predefined temperature; i.e., when the second voltage is below the first voltage, and to sink the compensation current above the predefined temperature; i.e., when the second voltage is above the first voltage.

Abstract: An automotive ignition system lockup protection circuit utilizes a capacitor charging/discharging circuit to generate a periodic clock signal. A counter circuit activates an ignition coil deenergizing signal after a predetermined number of clock signal. The capacitor charges and discharges within a voltage reference window defined as the difference between a first reference voltage and a second larger reference voltage, wherein the first reference voltage is functionally related to a variable battery voltage and the second reference voltage is fixed and independent of battery voltage. The frequency of the periodic clock signal is modulated in accordance with the voltage reference window to thereby vary the lockup time in accordance with battery voltage. The capacitor charging and discharging current is adjustable to compensate for variations in the capacitor value and the entire circuit operates consistently over a temperature range typically required in an automotive application.

Abstract: A circuit limits the output drive current from an interface drive circuit comprising drive transistors. The circuit makes dual use of an external series supply resistor as a current sensing element. The increased voltage drop across the external resistor due to excessive current draw through the drive transistors is coupled to a control transistor, which reduces base drive current to the drive transistors in response to the increased voltage drop.

Abstract: An ignition system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine has a transistor connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil. The transistor is switched ON and OFF in synchronism with rotation of the crankshaft of the engine. Primary winding current is sensed by a resistor and the voltage developed across the resistor is fed back into an error amplifier which causes the transistor to be biased into a current-limiting mode when primary winding current increases to a predetermined level. The feedback loop has a capacitor which is a feedback compensation element. This capacitor, together with a resistor form an RC timing circuit which is operative at times to prevent the transistor from being biased back ON for a predetermined time period after it has been biased OFF.

Abstract: An input buffer apparatus receives data from a single ended transmission line and provides an output signal in one or two states in response to the state of the signal on the input. The apparatus has hysteresis with temperature stable upper and lower thresholds. Temperature stability is achieved by providing first and second temperature dependent reference currents, one with a positive temperature coefficient and one with a negative temperature coefficient and by adjusting the temperature coefficients of the first and second reference currents so that the sum effect of all of the temperature coefficients of the system is substantially zero.