Current mirrors, low current measurement

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on resources for understanding current mirror circuits and methods for measuring low currents. Key recommendations include the Keithley handbooks for low-current measurement techniques and specific textbooks like Bogart's "Electronic Devices and Circuits," which includes SPICE implementations of current mirrors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of application notes from manufacturers such as Burr Brown, Analog Devices, Maxim, and Linear Technology for in-depth knowledge on low-current measurements. Participants agree that textbooks often lack detailed coverage of these topics, directing users to specialized resources instead.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of current mirror circuits and their applications in integrated circuits (ICs).
  • Familiarity with low-current measurement techniques, particularly using picoammeters.
  • Knowledge of SPICE simulation tools for circuit analysis.
  • Awareness of application notes from semiconductor manufacturers.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Keithley handbooks for comprehensive low-current measurement techniques.
  • Explore Bogart's "Electronic Devices and Circuits" for SPICE implementations of current mirrors.
  • Investigate application notes from Analog Devices, Maxim, and Linear Technology for advanced measurement strategies.
  • Search for textbooks specifically addressing current mirror circuits beyond basic electronics literature.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, circuit designers, and students seeking to deepen their understanding of current mirror circuits and low-current measurement techniques.

DragonPetter
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Does anyone know of a good textbook that would go in depth on current mirror circuits? What about methods and information on measuring low currents? My sedra and smith book does not talk anything about these subjects in detail.
 
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DragonPetter said:
Does anyone know of a good textbook that would go in depth on current mirror circuits? What about methods and information on measuring low currents? My sedra and smith book does not talk anything about these subjects in detail.

For understanding low-current measurements, Keithly (who makes picoammeters) has good technical information in handbooks:

http://www.keithley.com/knowledgecenter

For books that cover current mirrors in detail (beyond basic circuits books), I used an Amazon search on electronic current mirror:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...tronic+current+mirror&ajr=0&tag=pfamazon01-20

A couple of those books look promising. Maybe you can find them in your local technical library to check them out.
 
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Bogart 'Electronic Devices and Circuits'

has some SPICE implementations of current mirrors.
 
Like Berkman said, Keithley make very low current meters, they should have a lot of info. How low is low for you?

Other sources are the company that make fA op-amps. In my days, Burr Brown had a lot of app. notes also. If you get down to pA range, it can start to get tricky. Also check Analog Devices, Maxim and Linear Technology. I never seen textbooks talk about measurement, you have to go to app notes for that. I learned from Burr Brown in the 90s. But I don't know whether they are still around, might have been swallow up by AD or other companies.

Regarding to current mirrors, do you mean circuit use inside ICs that use a transistor to setup the bias for other transistors to scale the current. If so, I doubted there is a book specialized on this as it is quite simple, only deserve two to three pages of materials. Look at any IC book and you find info about this.
 
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