Zero power start-up circuit

• Main Author: NAZARIAN HAGOP A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.02.2006
• Subjects: CONTROLLING; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

An improved start-up circuit and method for self-bias circuits is described that applies a start-up voltage and current to a self-bias circuit to initialize its operation in its desired stable state. Once the self-bias circuit converges to its desired state of operation a start-up voltage reference/voltage clamping circuit shuts off current flow to the self-bias circuit and the start-up circuit enters a low power mode of operation to reduce its overall current and power draw. This allows for embodiments of the present invention to be utilized in portable and/or low power devices where low power consumption is of increased importance. In one embodiment of the present invention, a band-gap voltage reference circuit is initiated utilizing a start-up circuit.