Ultra low power beta multiplier-based current reference circuit

Abstract

This work presents a current reference circuit fabricated in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The reference current is obtained by applying thermal compensation voltage in the conventional self-biased or beta multiplier-based current reference circuit. Eight prototypes of the proposed architecture were measured which have resulted into the mean reference current of 26.1 nA with the temperature coefficient of 202.1 ppm/°C. These measurements were performed in the temperature range of ź 40 to + 85 °C. The circuit is capable of working over the supply voltage range of 1---2 V with the measured mean line sensitivity of 2.18%/V. The maximum measured power dissipation of the circuit is 104 nW at 2 V.