GROUND LOSS MONITORING CIRCUIT AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT COMPRISING THE SAME

摘要

A reference voltage loss monitoring circuit comprises a first reference node (51) and a second reference node(52). The reference nodes are arranged to be connected to a voltage reference (Vref). A first connection device (1) is arranged to connect the first reference node to the second reference node, and comprises a first diode (11) arranged to allow a current flowing from the first reference node to the reference ground node and not conversely. The first diode comprises a first main transistor (12) connected to operate as a diode. A second connection device (2) is arranged to connect the second reference node to the first reference node, and comprises a second diode (21) arranged to allow a current flowing from the second reference node to first reference node and not conversely. The second diode comprises a second main transistor (22) connected to operate as a diode. Each of the first and second connection devices further comprises a secondary transistor (14, 24) mirrored with the main transistor of the first and second connection devices respectively. The secondary transistor comprises an output arranged to be coupled to a diagnostic circuit (90), for delivering to the diagnostic circuit a signal indicative of a loss of voltage reference on a respective reference node.