Brokaw bandgap reference
Encyclopedia
Brokaw bandgap reference is a voltage reference circuit widely used in integrated circuit
s, with an output voltage around 1.25 V with only little temperature dependence. This particular circuit is one type of a bandgap voltage reference
, named after the author of its first publication.
Like all temperature-independent bandgap references, the circuit maintains an internal voltage source that has a positive temperature coefficient and another internal voltage source that has a negative temperature coefficient. By summing the two together, the temperature dependence can be canceled. Additionally, either of the two internal sources can be used as a temperature sensor
.
In the Brokaw bandgap reference, the circuit uses negative feedback
(e.g., an operational amplifier
) to force a constant current through two bipolar transistor
s with different emitter areas. By the Ebers–Moll model of a transistor,
The circuit output is the sum of the base–emitter voltage difference with one of the base–emitter voltages. With proper component choices, the two opposing temperature coefficients will cancel each other exactly and the output will have no temperature dependence.
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
s, with an output voltage around 1.25 V with only little temperature dependence. This particular circuit is one type of a bandgap voltage reference
Bandgap voltage reference
A bandgap voltage reference is a temperature independent voltage reference circuit widely used in integrated circuits, usually with an output voltage around 1.25 V, close to the theoretical 1.22 eV bandgap of silicon at 0 K. This circuit concept was first published by David Hilbiber in 1964...
, named after the author of its first publication.
Like all temperature-independent bandgap references, the circuit maintains an internal voltage source that has a positive temperature coefficient and another internal voltage source that has a negative temperature coefficient. By summing the two together, the temperature dependence can be canceled. Additionally, either of the two internal sources can be used as a temperature sensor
Silicon bandgap temperature sensor
The silicon bandgap temperature sensor is an extremely common form of temperature sensor used in electronic equipment. Its main advantage is that it can be included in a silicon integrated circuit at very low cost...
.
In the Brokaw bandgap reference, the circuit uses negative feedback
Negative feedback
Negative feedback occurs when the output of a system acts to oppose changes to the input of the system, with the result that the changes are attenuated. If the overall feedback of the system is negative, then the system will tend to be stable.- Overview :...
(e.g., an operational amplifier
Operational amplifier
An operational amplifier is a DC-coupled high-gain electronic voltage amplifier with a differential input and, usually, a single-ended output...
) to force a constant current through two bipolar transistor
Bipolar junction transistor
|- align = "center"| || PNP|- align = "center"| || NPNA bipolar transistor is a three-terminal electronic device constructed of doped semiconductor material and may be used in amplifying or switching applications. Bipolar transistors are so named because their operation involves both electrons...
s with different emitter areas. By the Ebers–Moll model of a transistor,
- The transistor with the larger emitter area requires a smaller base–emitter voltage for the same current.
- The base–emitter voltage for either transistor has a negative temperature coefficient (i.e., it decreases with temperature).
- The difference between the two base–emitter voltages has a positive temperature coefficient (i.e., it increases with temperature).
The circuit output is the sum of the base–emitter voltage difference with one of the base–emitter voltages. With proper component choices, the two opposing temperature coefficients will cancel each other exactly and the output will have no temperature dependence.
External links
- Original IEEE paper (pdf) – This is the 1974 paper describing the circuit.
- A Transistor Voltage Reference, and What the Band-Gap Has To Do With It – This 1989 video features Paul Brokaw explaining his bandgap voltage reference.
- ELEN 689-602: Introduction to Bandgap Reference Generators – Includes detailed description and analysis of Brokaw bandgap reference.
- The Design of Band-Gap Reference Circuits: Trials and Tribulations – Robert Pease, National Semiconductor (shows Brokaw cell in Figure 3)
- ECE 327: LM317 Bandgap Voltage Reference Example – Brief explanation of the temperature-independent bandgap reference circuit within the LM317. The circuit is nearly identical, but the document discusses how the circuit allows different currents through matched transistors (rather than a single current through different transistors) can set up the same voltages with opposing temperature coefficients.