Single-transistor constant-current generator

Electronic Design
Contributing Author
Contributing Author
Tue, 1998-09-01 (All day)
Perhaps this circuit is stating the obvious, but sometimes the obvious can elude us! Though not as
good as many other constant current generators, its very simple and very inexpensive. The figure

shows the basic idea. The circuit, which would usually be considered as an emitter-follower output
stage, is ideally suited to bias current generators with a small compliance. It also could be used in
other applications where its poor accuracy and temperature dependence arent a problem.
RB is chosen to provide the required output current, IG, and is calculated as follows:

This ignores base currents, etc.

RE is chosen so that at the maximum compliance voltage, the transistor current IT > 0. Stated in
another way, the current IE is greater than IC, and therefore the transistor is always conducting.

where VG is the generators output voltage.

The variation in transistor current, IT, will directly affect the circuits performance. For example, a
10:1 variation in transistor current will cause about 10% variation in IG, and a 2:1 variation in
transistor current will cause about 2.5% variation in IG. Assuming a constant VA.

transistor current ratio L =

Current generator variation M

Equivalent resistance RG

For example with a supply of VA = 15 V driving a circuit of compliance 1 V to 3 V, putting RB = 680

O and RE = 6.8k gives an output of about 1 mA, a transistor current ratio L of 0.7, a current generator
variation M of about 1% and an equivalent resistance RG, of about 150k. Keep in mind that the circuit
has -0.3% per C temperature dependence.