Bandgap and current

reference circuits

Willy Sansen
KULeuven, ESAT-MICAS
Leuven, Belgium
willy.sansen@esat.kuleuven.be

Willy Sansen 10-05 161

Voltage regulator

VDD Vout

R1 + R2
+ R1 Vout = Vref
- R2
+

- R2
Vref

Willy Sansen 10-05 162

 Current regulator

Iout Iout
V1 V2
+ + +
- - R -
+

- Vref R

Vref V1 - V2
Iout = Iout =
R R

Willy Sansen 10-05 163

Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B.Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 164

Bipolar transistor equations

VBE
IC = IS exp ( )
IB kT/q
+ VBE - Vg0
or IC = CT exp ( )
VBE kT/q
- - 2 mV/oC
with Vg0 = 1268 mV - kTr/q
- 2 V/oC and Tr = 323 K

which gives VBE = Vg00 - T + c(T) for IC ~ Tm

Willy Sansen 10-05 165

VBE versus Temperature
VBE VBE = Vg00 - T + c(T) for IC ~ Tm
Vg00
c(T) Vg00 = Vg0 + (-m) kTr/q
Vg0
Vg00 - VBE (Tr)
=
VBE Tr
k T
c(T) = (-m) (T -Tr -T ln )
q Tr
tg =
Vg0 = 1156 mV
= 4
Tr T T = 300 K
r
VBE(Tr) = 700 mV
Willy Sansen 10-05 166
The curvature c(T)
m=1
VBE (V) IC ~ T VBE = 0.7 mV
m=0 T = 30o
IC constant
VBE = 5 mV
IC ~ VBE T = 50o

T (K)
m=1 IC ~ T gm constant
m=0 IC constant gm ~ T-1
m= - IC ~ VBE gm ~ T-x

Willy Sansen 10-05 167

Bandgap reference Vref

VBE
Vref 1.2 V
Vg00
VC 0.6 V is PTAT
- 2 mV/oC

VBE 0.6 V

0 Tr T

kT
Vref = VBE + VC VC ~
q

Willy Sansen 10-05 168

PTAT voltage and current

VBE kT IC
IC = IS exp ( ) VBE = ln
kT/q q IS

VBE = VBE1 - VBE2

IC IC IS2
kT
VBE = ln
q IS1
Q1 Q2
+V kT kT
1: r BE VBE = ln r IC = ln r
q qR2
R2
- r is 10-1000 !!

Willy Sansen 10-05 169

Bandgap reference circuit
VBE
n: 1 1.2 V
Vg00
Q4 Q3
PTAT 0.6 V
- 2 mV/oC
+ +
VC R1 VBE

Vref - 0 Tr T
Q1 Q2
kT kT A
1: r +V VBE = ln nr IC2 = ln nr =
BE q qR2 R2
R2
- - R1 kT
Vref = VBE + VC VC = n ln nr
R2 q
Willy Sansen 10-05 1610
Noise Bandgap reference - 1

n: 1 kT A kT
IC2 = ln nr = A= ln nr 0.12 V
Q3
qR2 R2 q
Q4

R1 kT R1
VC = n ln nr = n A = nR1IC2 0.6 V
+ + R2 q R2
VC R1 IC2

Vref
- R1 >> 1/gm1 R1IC1 0.5 V gm1R1 20

Q1 Q2 R2 >> 1/gm2 R2IC2 0.06 V gm2R2 2.3

1: r +V
BE Noise sources : R1 R2
R2 gm3,4 negligible for large VGS -VT or RE !!
- -

Willy Sansen 10-05 1611

Noise Bandgap reference - 2

n: 1 kT A kT
IC2 = ln nr = A= ln nr 0.12 V
Q3
qR2 R2 q
Q4

R1 kT R1
VC = n ln nr = n A = nR1IC2 0.6 V
+ + R2 q R2
VC R1 IC2
- dVRef2 = 4kT R1 df + R12n2 4kT/R2 df
Vref
R1 2
Q1 Q2 = 4kT R1 df (1 + n )
R2
1: r +V
BE
R1 2 n n VC nVC
R2 n = R1n = = >> 1
- - R2 R2 R2 IC2 VBE

Willy Sansen 10-05 1612

Noise Bandgap reference - 3

2= R1 2
n: 1 dVRef 4kT R1 n df
R2
Q4 Q3
2 2 V 2
R1 2 (R1 n) 1 CV C
R1 n = = 2
=
+ + R2 R2 R2 IC2 IC2 VBE
VC R1 IC2

Vref
-
Q1 Q2 VC 0.6 V :
1: r +V >> Large IC2 : small Rs
BE
R2 >> Large r : large VBE
- -

Willy Sansen 10-05 1613

Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B. Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1614

Bandgap reference with bipolar transistors

Insensitive to and VE !

kT kT
+ VBE = ln nr IC = ln nr
n: 1 q qR2
R1
Vref = 2VBE + VR3
2Vref
1: r 1 1 kT
R2 VR3 = 2R3 ( + ) ln nr
R1 R2 q
2R3
-
Ref.: G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1615

Start-up circuits required

1 : 1 IC
Q4 Q3
IC1
unwanted
IC1
operating point
IC2
+
R1 IC2
required operating point
Vref
Q1 Q2 VBE1
1: r
R2 R1 kT
- Vref = VBE1 + ln r
R2 q

Willy Sansen 10-05 1616

Start-up circuits
D1 D2

Cstart RSTART

R3 R1 R3 R1
Q4 Q1 D2

Q3 Q2 Q2 Q1

r: 1 4x r: 1
R2 R2

Willy Sansen 10-05 1617

Bipolar Bandgap reference without opamp

VOUT VOUT = VBE1 + R1 IC

R1 R1
IC IC R1 kT
= VBE1 + ln r
R2 q
Q3
Q1 Q2
1: r
R2

Ref. Widlar, JSSC Feb.1971, 2-7

Willy Sansen 10-05 1618

All NPN bipolar bandgap reference

Ref.: B.Gilbert, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1619
Bipolar Bandgap references with opamps

R R

+ 1:n RPTAT
- +
-
RPTAT + +
Vref
Vref
R R
1:n - -
Bad PSRR

Willy Sansen 10-05 1620

CMOS Bandgap ref.with opamp: error analysis 1
kT R
Q1 Q2 IC = ln n A=
qRPT RPT
1:n RPT
Vref = VBE + A (VBE1 - VBE2)
- kT dIC dIS
+ + dVBE = ( - )
q IC IS

R R Vref kT 1 dn dRPT dIS

= ( - - )
- q ln n n RPT IS
is PTAT !
= 26 mV (0.46 2% - 30 % - 20%) 13 mV (if n = 10)

Willy Sansen 10-05 1621

CMOS Bandgap ref.with opamp: error analysis 2

Q1 Q2 Vref = VBE + A (VBE1 - VBE2)

kT
1:n VBE1 - VBE2 = ln n
RPT q
kT dn
- d(VBE1 - VBE2) =
+ q n
+
d[A(VBE1 - VBE2)] =
R R kT dA 1 dn
=A ln n ( + )
- q A ln n n
is PTAT !
= 600 mV (1 % + 0.46 2% ) 11 mV 24 mV or 2%

Willy Sansen 10-05 1622

Bipolar Bandgap reference AD580

VIN
R R

+ + R3 + R4
- VOUT = Vref
R3
1:8 R4

Vref = VBE + VR1

+ R1
R2 VR2 R3 = VBE + 2 VR2
+ - R2
R1 VR1 R1 kT
- - = VBE + 2 ln 8
R2 q
1.205 V
Willy Sansen 10-05 1623
Curvature correction with VBE
VBE
(V)

m=0 constant current

stronger curvature

m=1 PTAT current

ratio /(-1) or 1/a2
= 3.5 a2 0.714

Vref 210 mV Ref. Widlar, Meijer, van Staveren

Willy Sansen 10-05 1624

Curvature correction with VBE

IB (const) 1.5 + 7 + 7 A

1.5 A
R1 R2 Vref = VBE2 + R2 I (VBE)
I (const)
7 A 7 A - R1(I (const) + I (PTAT))
I(PTAT) I (VBE) - VBE1

Q1
VPTAT + AVBE2
+ Q2 R4
Vref R3
210 mV R5
- Ref. Widlar JSSC Dec.78, 838-846

Willy Sansen 10-05 1625

Curvature correction with PTAT2
R2 kT 1: 1
Vref = VBE3 + ln r + T2
R1 q
translinear circuit +
1
IPTAT R2
Q3
IPTAT2 R1 IPTAT

Q2 Q1
IB r : 1 : 1
-
Ref. Song JSSC Dec.83, 634-643, Degrauwe ISSCC Febr.85, 142-143

Willy Sansen 10-05 1626

Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B.Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1627

N-well CMOS technology

Gate oxyde

Polysilicon gate

Willy Sansen 10-05 1628

CMOS Bandgap reference with opamp

1:1
R R
+
+
- +
-
+
RPTAT Vref RPT
n:1 Vref
n:1

-
-

Willy Sansen 10-05 1629

Full CMOS bandgap reference circuit
2.7 ... 5.5 V
17 A

PDII
1.2 0.02 V
PDI 10 A max.

4000 ppm
-50 oC
+150 oC

Startup
Ref. MIETEC; Meijer, ACD, Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1630

Bandgap reference with high PSRR

1 : 1 : N 2.4 V > 2.5 V

300 A

1.2 V 1.2 V

1.236 V
20 mV
M : 1 85 ppm/oC
R2 kT
VBG = VBE2 + N ln [M (N+1)]
R1 q Ref.Tham, JSSC, May 95, pp.586-590

Willy Sansen 10-05 1631

Floating CMOS bandgap reference

2.48 V
24 mV
21 ppm/oC

5 V 1.2 mA

Ref.Ferro, JSSC, June 89, pp.690-697

Willy Sansen 10-05 1632

CMOS Bandgap without resistors

VD = VD2 - VD1

VOUT = VD2 + AG VD

VOUT 1.12 V
9 mV 0 70 oC
3.7 V; 0.4 mA
A = 1.5
B=4
G=6
AD1/AD2 = 8

Ref.: Buck, JSSC Jan. 2002, 81-83

Willy Sansen 10-05 1633

Single-junction CMOS Bandgap reference

IB1 IB2

Sw2 +
t1: open Vout ~ VBE
t2: open -
t3: closed Sw1
t1: closed : Vout = VBE1
t2: open
C1 C2 C1+C2
t3: open + V BE21
C2
Ref. Gilbert, ACD, Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1634

MOST in weak inversion ?

VGS
IB IDS = IDS0 exp ( )
nkT/q
+
VGS CD
n=1+
- -2 mV/oC Cox

- 20 V/oC CD (VCB)

Willy Sansen 10-05 1635

Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B. Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1636

Sub-1 V CMOS bandgap reference

R3 518 mV
VBE R2
15 mV
R4

R4 R4 kT
Vref = VBE + ln n n = 100
R2 R3 q
Banba, .., JSSC May 99, 670-673

Willy Sansen 10-05 1637

 CMOS Bandgap with supply < 1 V

1 : 1 1 : 1 1V
R3
Vref = VBE + 92 A
R2
R3 kT -
ln n + Vref
R0 q
+
R0 + 0.536 V
IPTAT kT ln n
R3
- q R0

Ref.:
Malcovati, JSSC R1 R2 = R1
1 n
July 01, 1076-1081 -
Willy Sansen 10-05 1638
1 V opamp (1.2 MHz 25 pF 35 A)

VB
Vout

Cc
Vin+ Vin-

Willy Sansen 10-05 1639

Start-up circuit

1 : 1 1 : 1

-
VB + Vref
MS
+
R0 0.536 V

R1 R2 = R1
1 n
-
Willy Sansen 10-05 1640
Curvature correction

1 : 1 1 : 1 1V
92 A

-
VB + Vref
R4
VBE +
R0 R5 0 oC
I(ct) IPTAT I(ct) 80oC

0.8mV

R1 R2 = R1 0.3mV
1 n
-
Willy Sansen 10-05 1641
 CMOS Bandgap with supply < 1 V

R3 1 : 1 1 : 1 1V
Vref = VBE 18 A
R2
R3 kT -
+ ln n + Vref
R1 q
R2a R2a +
0.603 V
R1 R3

Ref.: R2b R2b

Leung, JSSC
April 2002, 526-530
1 n -
Willy Sansen 10-05 1642
Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B. Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1643

Voltage-current converter

Iout
Vref
Iout =
+ R
-
+
Temperature coefficient :
- R depends on
Vref
Vref
R!

Willy Sansen 10-05 1644

Temperature coefficient of resistors

cm-3

Willy Sansen 10-05 1645

Voltage to current converter

Blauschild, ACD Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1646

 Current reference without resistors
IC
a:1 IM2
unwanted
Iref operating point IM1

required operating
point Iref
V2 VT1 VT2+V2 VBE1
M1 + - M2
W1 V2 2 1
1:b Iref = Kn m=
L1 (1 - m)2 ab
Vcc > 3.5 V 2 A
Kn ~ T -1.5 V2 ~ T Iref ~ T -0.5 0.774 0.02 A
3 % 0o ... 80oC
V2 0.32 V Ref. Op t Eynde, JSSC June 88, pp. 821-824

Willy Sansen 10-05 1647

Current reference

Vo
nkT Sb
Vo = ln (1 + )
q Sa

Sb/Sa = 5 Both in wi.

Vo 64 mV
V2 0.32 V Vcc > 3.5 V 2 A
0.774 0.02 A
3 % 0o ... 80oC
Ref. Vittoz, JSSC June 79, pp. 573-577 Ref. Op t Eynde, JSSC June 88, pp. 821-824

Willy Sansen 10-05 1648

SC Voltage-current converter

Vref C1 = Iref Tc/2

1
Reff =
2fcC1

Vref
Iref =
Reff

C1 = C2 = 3 pF fc = 270 kHz 5 V 4 A
Ref. H.Klein, W. Engl, ESSCIRC 83, pp. 119-122

Willy Sansen 10-05 1649

Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B. Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1650

Low drop-out regulator : principle
Vin = 3.1 V Vout = 2 V Vin = 2.2 V Vout = 2 V

+ R1 - R1
- 2.9 V + 1.3 V
+ + Gain !

- R2 - R2
Vref Vref

R1 + R2
VGS 0.9 V Vout = Vref
R2

Willy Sansen 10-05 1651

Table of contents

Principles
Bipolar bandgap references
CMOS bandgap references
Bandgap references < 1 V
Current references
LDO Regulators

Ref.: B. Gilbert, G.Meijer, ACD , Kluwer 1995

Willy Sansen 10-05 1652

References

P. Brokaw, A simple three-terminal IC bandgap reference

JSSC Dec.74, pp.388-393
M. Degrauwe, etal, CMOS voltage references using lateral bipolar transistors,
JSSC Dec.85, pp.1151-1157
K. Kuijk, A presicion reference voltage source JSSC June 1973, pp.222-226
G. Meijer etal An integrated bandgap reference, JSSC June 76, pp.403-406
G. Meijer etal A new curvature-corrected bandgap reference
JSSC Dec.82, pp.1139-143
G. Meijer, Bandgap references, ACD Kluwer, 1995
B. Song, P.Gray, A precision curvature-compensated CMOS bandgap
reference JSSC Dec.83, pp.634-643
A. van Staveren etal An integratible second-order compensated
bandgap reference for 1 V supply, ACD Kluwer 1995.
R. Widlar, New developments in IC Voltage Regulators, JSSC Febr.71, pp. 2-7.
R. Widlar, Low-voltage techniques, JSSC Dec.78, pp.838-846.

Willy Sansen 10-05 1653