IP Library Granted Patent US 9,300,276
Granted Patent B2
US 9,300,276 · App. 13/736,085 · Granted Mar 29, 2016

Oscillation control circuit for biasing ring oscillator by bandgap reference signal and related method

Inventor: Ming-Sheng Tung (Hsinchu, TW)
Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
H03K3/0315H03K3/011H03B5/04H03L7/0995
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,300,276
App. No.
13/736,085
Granted
Mar 29, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An oscillation control circuit for a ring oscillator includes a bandgap reference circuit and an oscillation frequency control circuit. The bandgap reference circuit is arranged for generating a bandgap reference signal by mirroring a proportional-to-absolute-temperature current. The oscillation frequency control circuit is coupled to the bandgap reference circuit, and is arranged for biasing the ring oscillator according to the bandgap reference signal. When the ring oscillator has a plurality of stages, the oscillation frequency control circuit includes one current source and a plurality of current mirrors for biasing the plurality of stages of the ring oscillator, respectively.

Claims (17)

1. An oscillation control circuit for a ring oscillator, comprising:

a bandgap reference circuit, for generating a bandgap reference signal by mirroring a proportional-to-absolute-temperature current; and

an oscillation frequency control circuit, coupled to the bandgap reference circuit, for biasing the ring oscillator according to the bandgap reference signal;

wherein the bandgap reference circuit comprises:

a first transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the first transistor being coupled to a first reference voltage, the control node of the first transistor being coupled to a current source providing the proportional-to-absolute-temperature current and the first transistor mirrors the proportional-to-absolute-temperature current to generate a first current;

a second transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the second transistor being coupled to the second connection node of the first transistor, and the control node of the second transistor being coupled to the first connection node of the second transistor;

a third transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the third transistor being coupled to the first reference voltage, and the second connection node of the third transistor being coupled to the control node of the third transistor;

a resistor, having a first end and a second end, the first end of the resistor being coupled to the second connection node of the third transistor; and

a fourth transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the fourth transistor being coupled to the second end of the resistor, the second connection node of the fourth transistor being coupled to a second reference voltage, and the control node of the fourth transistor being coupled to the control node of the second transistor to mirror the first current flowing through the second transistor to generate a second current, wherein the bandgap reference circuit generates the bandgap reference signal according to the second current, and the first transistor and the fourth transistor have conductive channels of different types.

2. The oscillation control circuit of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation frequency control circuit comprises:

a first transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the first transistor being coupled to the first reference voltage, and the control node of the first transistor being coupled to the bandgap reference signal; and

a second transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the second transistor being coupled to the control node of the second transistor, and the second connection node of the second transistor being coupled to the second reference voltage.

3. The oscillation control circuit of claim 2 , wherein the oscillation frequency control circuit further comprises at least one current mirror for biasing a corresponding stage of the ring oscillator, and the at least one current mirror comprises:

a third transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the third transistor being coupled to the first reference voltage, the second connection node of the third transistor being coupled to the corresponding stage of the ring oscillator, and the control node of the third transistor being coupled to the control node of the first transistor; and

a fourth transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the fourth transistor being coupled to the corresponding stage of the ring oscillator, the second connection node of the fourth transistor being coupled to the second reference voltage, and the control node of the fourth transistor being coupled to the control node of the second transistor.

4. The oscillation control circuit of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation frequency control circuit comprises:

a transistor, having a first connection node, a second connection node and a control node, the first connection node of the transistor being coupled to the first reference voltage, the second connection node of the transistor being coupled to a corresponding stage of the ring oscillator, and the control node of the transistor being coupled to the bandgap reference signal.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2025
From: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
To: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INC.
Reel/Frame 071703/0241 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2013
From: TUNG, MING-SHENG
To: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
Reel/Frame 029581/0798 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140191814A1 · Jul 10, 2014