110 and the first reference resistor sub-component 114 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the output of the voltage supply component 104, which can supply the supply voltage, at a supply voltage level, to the voltage adjuster component 110 and the first reference resistor component sub-component. In the electronic circuitry of the system 100, the first reference resistor sub-component 114 can be situated between, and associated with (e.g., electronically connected to), the voltage supply component 104 and an input (e.g., input terminal or port) of the amplifier component 102 such that the supply voltage can be supplied to the amplifier component 102 and a current can flow through the first reference resistor sub-component 114 where the current, or a portion thereof, can flow to the amplifier component 102, such as described herein.

An output (e.g., output terminal) of the voltage adjuster component 110 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) an input of the comparator component 112 (e.g., associated with a gate terminal of a transistor component of the comparator component 112). In accordance with various embodiments, the voltage adjuster component 110 and the amplifier component 102 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) a ground 118 or V_SS120, depending on whether an EFET or DFET is employed, such as more fully described herein. With regard to the amplifier component 102, a terminal(s) of the amplifier component 102 (e.g., one or more terminals (e.g., one or more terminals on the other side) of one or more transistor components of the amplifier component 102) can be associated with the ground 118.

With further regard to the comparator component 112, one of the terminals of the comparator component 112 (e.g., a terminal of the transistor component of the comparator component 112) can be associated with the ground 118. The second reference resistor sub-component 116 of the reference resistor component 108 can be associated with the first reference resistor sub-component 114 and the amplifier component 102 at one terminal of the second reference resistor sub-component 116, and the other terminal of the second reference resistor sub-component 116 can be associated with another terminal of the comparator component 112 (e.g., a terminal on the other side of the transistor component of the comparator component 112). In some embodiments, the first reference resistor sub-component 114 can have a resistance of 1.0 kiloOhms (kOhms), although, in other embodiments, the resistance can be greater than or less than 1.0 kOhms (e.g., the resistance can have a range of approximately 300 Ohms to approximately 5.0 kOhms). In certain embodiments, the second reference resistor sub-component 116 can have a resistance that can be of the same magnitude as the first reference resistor sub-component 114. For instance, the resistance of the second reference resistor sub-component 116 can be the same as, approximately the same as, the resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 114 (e.g., a resistance of 1.0 kOhms, or another desired resistance in the range of approximately 300 Ohms to approximately 5.0 kOhms), although, in other embodiments, the resistance of the second reference resistor sub-component 116 can be different from the resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 114. The respective resistances of the first reference resistor sub-component 114 and the second reference resistor sub-component 116 can be determined or selected based at least in part on the voltage level at which the amplifier component 102 has been designed, a range of supply voltage levels (e.g., a higher or highest supply voltage level, and a lower or lowest supply voltage level) that can be used with the amplifier component 102, and defined bias current accuracy criteria that can indicate or specify a desired (e.g., suitable, acceptable, and/or optimal) level of accuracy of bias currents associated with different supply voltage levels.

The current controller component 106 can desirably adjust (e.g., change or modify) the resistance of the reference resistor component 108 based at least in part on the supply voltage level supplied by the voltage supply component 104 to desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control the amount of bias current (e.g., the bias or reference current level) associated with the amplifier component 102. For instance, based at least in part on the supply voltage level supplied by the voltage supply component 104, the current controller component 106 can switch (e.g., selectively switch) in or out the second reference resistor sub-component 116 to adjust the resistance of the reference resistor component 108, which can control the amount of current that flows to the amplifier component 102 to desirably control the amount of bias current (e.g., the bias or reference current level) associated with the amplifier component 102 (e.g., to maintain the bias current at a desired current level or within a desired current level range), in accordance with the defined bias current accuracy criteria, such as described herein.

In some embodiments, the voltage adjuster component 110 can desirably (e.g., suitably or optimally) adjust (e.g., reduce or modify) the supply voltage level (e.g., an amount of supply voltage) of the supply voltage of the voltage supply component 104 to a desired adjusted (e.g., reduced or modified) supply voltage level. For instance, when the supply voltage of the voltage supply component 104 is relatively low (e.g., 5.0V, 5.5V, 6.0V, or other relatively lower supply voltage level), the voltage adjuster component 110 can adjust or reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage by a sufficient amount to enable or ensure that the adjusted supply voltage level applied to the comparator component 112 (e.g., applied to the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component 112) can be less than a reference voltage level (e.g., a defined minimum threshold voltage level) associated with the comparator component 112. In accordance with various embodiments, the voltage adjuster component 110 can reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage level by a range of approximately 2.0V to 5.0V, although, in other embodiments, the voltage adjuster component 110 can reduce the supply voltage level by less than 2.0V or more than 5.0V, if and as desired (e.g., depending in part on the implementation, the voltage level used in the design of the amplifier, and/or the range of voltage levels that can be used for the supply voltage).

The comparator component 112 can compare the adjusted supply voltage level to the reference voltage level (e.g., the minimum threshold voltage level of the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component 112). The current controller component 106 can control switching of an operational state (e.g., on state or off state) of the transistor component of the comparator component 112 to switch in or out a resistance (e.g., the second reference resistor sub-component 116) of the reference resistor component 108, based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the adjusted supply voltage level to the reference voltage level, to facilitate accurately controlling an amount of bias current associated with the amplifier component 102. For instance, the comparator component 112 can compare the adjusted supply voltage level of the adjusted supply voltage to the reference threshold level. In this example case, since the supply voltage level can be relatively low, and, as a result, the adjusted supply voltage level can be less than the reference voltage level, the comparator component 112 can determine that the adjusted supply voltage level is less than the reference voltage level based at least in part on the result of comparing the adjusted supply voltage level to the reference voltage level. Based at least in part on such comparison result, the current controller component 106 can cause the second reference resistor sub-component 116 to not be connected to the ground 118 (e.g., the transistor component of the comparator component 112 can be switched or set to or maintained in an off state such that the second reference resistor sub-component 116 is not connected to the ground 118), which can prevent current associated with the supply voltage from flowing through the second reference resistor sub-component 116, and the current can flow through the first reference resistor sub-component 114 to the amplifier component 102. Since the supply voltage level can be relatively low, the amount of current flowing through the first reference resistor sub-component 114 to the amplifier component 102 can be at a desirable (e.g., suitable, acceptable, accurate, and/or optimal) current level. Accordingly, the current controller component 106 can control the resistance of the reference resistor component 108 to not switch in the second reference resistor sub-component 116 to change the resistance of the reference resistor component 108, since the amount of the current flowing to the amplifier component 102 is not undesirably high.

When the supply voltage of the voltage supply component 104 is relatively high (e.g., 7.0V, 7.5V, 8.0V, 8.5V, 9V, or other relatively higher supply voltage level), the voltage adjuster component 110 can adjust or reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage to a desired adjusted (e.g., reduced or modified) supply voltage level that can be lower than the supply voltage level. However, since the supply voltage level is relatively higher, the adjusted supply voltage level applied to the comparator component 112 (e.g., applied to the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component 112) can be greater than or equal to the reference voltage level (e.g., the defined minimum threshold voltage level) associated with the comparator component 112. The comparator component 112 can compare the adjusted supply voltage level of the adjusted supply voltage to the reference threshold level. In this example case, since the supply voltage level can be relatively higher, and, as a result, the adjusted supply voltage level can be greater than or equal to the reference voltage level, the comparator component 112 can determine that the adjusted supply voltage level is greater than or equal to the reference voltage level based at least in part on a result of comparing the adjusted supply voltage level to the reference voltage level. Based at least in part on such comparison result, the current controller component 106 can cause the second reference resistor sub-component 116 to be connected to the ground 118 (e.g., the transistor component of the comparator component 112 can be switched or set to or maintained in an on state such that a conductive path can be created to connect the second reference resistor sub-component 116 to the ground 118). That is, the current controller component 106 can switch in the second reference resistor sub-component 116 to change the resistance of the reference resistor component 108 and to operate in conjunction with the first reference resistor sub-component 114 with respect to the current and the amplifier component 102.

The current controller component 106, by switching in the second reference resistor sub-component 116, can cause or allow a portion (e.g., a second portion) of the current associated with the supply voltage to flow through the second reference resistor sub-component 116, where another portion (e.g., a first or reduced portion) of the current can flow from the first reference resistor sub-component 114 to the amplifier component 102. That is, when the supply voltage level is relatively higher, the adjusted supply voltage level can be relatively higher (but reduced to a lower voltage level than the supply voltage level), and, in response to the relatively higher adjusted supply voltage level, the current controller component 106 can switch in the second reference resistor sub-component 116, in conjunction with the first reference resistor sub-component 114, such that a desired portion (e.g., the second portion) of the current flowing from the first reference resistor sub-component 114 can be diverted from going to the amplifier component 102 and can instead flow through the second reference resistor sub-component 116 and the comparator component 112 (e.g., the transistor component of the comparator component 112) to the ground 118. As a result, the current controller component 106 can desirably reduce the amount of current (e.g., to the first portion or amount of current) flowing to the amplifier component 102 when the supply voltage of the voltage supply component 104 is relatively higher (e.g., 7.0V, 7.5V, 8.0V, 8.5V, 9V, or other relatively higher supply voltage level) and, accordingly, can desirably (e.g., accurately, suitably, enhanced, and/or optimally) control the bias current associated with the amplifier component 102, in accordance with (e.g., to satisfy; or meet or exceed) the defined bias current accuracy criteria. The first portion of the current associated with the relatively high supply voltage level can be the same amount of current as or approximately the same (e.g., sufficiently close to the same) amount of current as the amount of current that would be flowing to the amplifier component 102 when the supply voltage of the voltage supply component 104 is the relatively low supply voltage level, in accordance with the defined bias current accuracy criteria.

Thus, regardless of the supply voltage level of the supply voltage provided by a particular voltage supply component (e.g., voltage supply component 104), the current controller component 106 can desirably (e.g., accurately, suitably, enhanced, and/or optimally) control (e.g., manage) the bias current associated with the amplifier component 102. Further, employing the disclosed techniques, and the enhanced current mirror and associated circuitry (e.g., current controlling circuitry), the current controller component 106 can desirably (e.g., suitably, efficiently, and/or optimally) control and/or mitigate (e.g., reduce, minimize, eliminate, or substantially eliminate) process variations, temperature variations, voltage variations, and/or current variations associated with the amplifier component 102.

These and other aspect and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will now be described with regard to the other drawings.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 depicts a non-limiting exemplary block diagram of a non-limiting example voltage adjuster component 200 that can adjust a supply voltage level of a supply voltage applied to an electronic circuit, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The voltage adjuster component 200 can comprise, for example, a diode component 202 and a resistor component 204.

The voltage adjuster component 200 can receive a supply voltage at a supply voltage level from a voltage supply component, can adjust the supply voltage level to generate an adjusted supply voltage at an adjusted (e.g., reduced) supply voltage level, and can apply the adjusted supply voltage to the comparator component, such as described herein. In some embodiments, the diode component 202 can comprise a set (e.g., group) of diodes, which can be one or more diodes. When the set of diodes comprises two or more diodes, the diodes can be arranged in series with each other, with the output terminal of a first diode being associated with the input terminal of the second diode, and so on. Each diode of the set of diodes can reduce the voltage level of the supply voltage by a certain amount, wherein the amount the voltage level is reduced by each diode can be based at least in part on the characteristics of the diode. For instance, depending in part on the diode characteristics, each diode can reduce a voltage level of the supply voltage by approximately 1.2V or another voltage amount that can be less than or more than 1.2V. The diode component 202 can receive the supply voltage at the supply voltage level at the input of the diode component 202 and can output an initial (e.g., intermediate) adjusted supply voltage at an initial adjusted supply voltage level to the resistor component 204.

The resistor component 204 can comprise a set (e.g., group) of resistors (e.g., two resistors). In certain embodiments, one terminal of a first resistor of the resistor component 204 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the output of the diode component 202 and the other terminal of the first resistor can be associated with an input of the comparator component (e.g., gate terminal of the transistor component of the comparator component) and a terminal of a second resistor of the resistor component 204, wherein the other terminal of the second resistor can be associated with the ground. The resistor component 204 can receive the initial adjusted supply voltage at the initial adjusted supply voltage level and can further reduce the supply voltage by reducing the initial adjusted supply voltage level to the adjusted supply voltage level, based at least in part the arrangement of the resistors in relation to each other (e.g., resistors arranged to form a voltage divider circuit) and the respective resistance values of the resistors of the resistor component 204. In some embodiments, the resistors of the resistor component 204 can be utilized to desirably fine tune (e.g., at a more granular level than the diode component 202) the reduction of the voltage level of the supply voltage to achieve the desired adjusted voltage level of the adjusted supply voltage.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary system 300 that can comprise an enhanced current mirror that can desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control a bias current associated with an EFET amplifier, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The system 300 can comprise, for example, an amplifier component 302, a voltage supply component 304 (VS), a current controller component 306 (CCC), a reference resistor component 308 (RRC), a voltage adjuster component 310 (VAC), and a comparator component 312 (CC). For reasons of brevity and clarity, only some of the components of the amplifier component 302 are shown in FIG. 3 and described herein. The reference resistor component 308 can comprise a first reference resistor sub-component 314 and a second reference resistor sub-component 316. The amplifier component 302, voltage adjuster component 310, and comparator component 312 can be associated with a ground 318. The amplifier component 302, voltage supply component 304, current controller component 306, reference resistor component 308, voltage adjuster component 310, and comparator component 312 can be same as or similar to, and/or can comprise the same or similar functionality and features as, respective components (e.g., respectively named components), such as more fully described herein. The amplifier component 302, voltage supply component 304, current controller component 306, reference resistor component 308, including the first reference resistor sub-component 314 (RRS 314) and second reference resistor sub-component 316 (RRS 316), voltage adjuster component 310, comparator component 312, and the ground 318 can be respectively arranged in relation to each other in an electronic circuit and/or can be respectively associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) respective other components of the system 300, such as more fully described herein (e.g., with regard to the system 100) and as shown in FIG. 3.

The current controller component 306 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the amplifier component 302. In certain embodiments, the current controller component 306 (including its constituent components, such as described herein), the amplifier component 302, and/or other components or electronic circuitry can be situated on the same die (e.g., same integrated circuit die).

The amplifier component 302 can comprise a set of transistor components, such as, for example, transistor components 320, 322, and/or 324 (T) that can facilitate amplifying or otherwise processing an input signal (e.g., electronic signal) received at the input of the amplifier component 302 to generate an amplified or otherwise processed signal at the output of the amplifier component 302. In some embodiments, the set of transistor components (e.g., 320, 322, and/or 324) can be FETs, although, in other embodiments, the set of transistor components can be a different type of transistor. The respective transistor components of the set of transistor components (e.g., 320, 322, and/or 324) can have respective threshold voltage levels (e.g., minimum threshold voltage levels) associated with their respective gates to facilitate switching the respective transistor components between an off state and on state. In certain embodiments, some of the set of transistor components (e.g., 322 and/or 324) can provide a desired amount of gain (e.g., 8 times (8×) gain or other desired amount of gain less than or greater than 8×) to amplify the input signal.

The gates of the transistor components of the set of transistor components (e.g., 320, 322, and/or 324) can be associated with respective resistor components, such as resistor components 326, 328, and/or 330 (R), wherein the respective resistor components (e.g., 326, 328, and/or 330) can be associated with the reference resistor component 308 (e.g., can be electronically connected to the same node as the first reference resistor sub-component 314 and second reference resistor sub-component 316, as well as a terminal (e.g., drain terminal) of the transistor component 320). In some embodiments, the resistor component 326 can have a resistance of 16 kOhms, although in other embodiments, the resistor component 326 can have a resistance that can be greater than or less than 16 kOhms, if and as desired. In certain embodiments, the resistor components 328 and 330 each can have a resistance of 2 kOhms, although in other embodiments, the resistor components 328 and/or 330 can have a resistance that can be greater than or less than 2 kOhms, if and as desired. Respective terminals (e.g., respective source terminals) of the transistor components of the set of transistor components (e.g., 320, 322, and/or 324) can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to terminals of) respective resistor components, such as resistor components 332, 334, and/or 336, which can be associated with the ground 318 (e.g., the other terminals of the resistor components 332, 334, and/or 336 can be electronically connected to the ground 318). In some embodiments, the resistor component 332 can have a resistance of 20 Ohms, although in other embodiments, the resistor component 332 can have a resistance that can be greater than or less than 20 Ohms, if and as desired. In certain embodiments, the resistor components 334 and 336 each can have a resistance of 2.5 Ohms, although in other embodiments, the resistor components 334 and/or 336 can have a resistance that can be greater than or less than 2.5 Ohms, if and as desired.

The voltage adjuster component 310 can comprise a set of diode components, such as diode components 338, 340, and/or 342, and a set of resistor components, such as resistor components 344 and/or 346. The diode component 338 can be associated with the voltage supply component 304, wherein the supply voltage (e.g., V_CC) can be supplied to the diode component 338. The set of diode components (D) (e.g., 338, 340, and/or 342) can reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage to an initial adjusted supply voltage level (e.g., of an initial adjusted supply voltage), which can be supplied to the resistor component 344, such as described herein. The resistor components 344 and 346 can further reduce or process the initial adjusted supply voltage to generate the adjusted supply voltage at the desired adjusted supply voltage level, such as described herein. In some embodiments, the resistor component 344 can have a resistance that can be based at least in part on (e.g., can be determined, selected, or set as a function of) the first reference resistor sub-component 314. For instance, the resistor component 344 can have a resistance that can be approximately five times (or more than five times) greater than the amount of resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 314, although, in other embodiments, the resistance of the resistor component 344 can be less than five times the amount of resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 314. For example, if the first reference resistor sub-component 314 has a resistance of 1.0 kOhms, the resistor component 344 can have a resistance of 5.0 kOhms (or greater or less than 5.0 kOhms, if desired). In certain embodiments, the resistor component 346 can have a resistance that can correspond to (e.g., can be of the same magnitude as) the resistance of resistor component 344. For instance, the resistor component 346 can have a resistance that can be the same as, or approximately the same as, the amount of resistance of the resistor component 344, although, in other embodiments, the resistance of the resistor component 346 can be greater than or less than the resistance of the resistor component 344. The resistor components 344 and 346 of the voltage adjuster component 310 can supply the adjusted supply voltage at the adjusted supply voltage level to the gate of a transistor component 348 of the comparator component 312.

The transistor component 348 can have a defined threshold gate voltage level (e.g., minimum threshold voltage level) for switching the transistor component 348 between the off state and the on state, wherein the defined threshold gate voltage level can be the reference voltage level employed by the comparator component 312. One terminal (e.g., drain terminal) of the transistor component 348 can be associated with the second reference resistor sub-component 316, and the other terminal (e.g., source terminal) of the transistor component 348 can be associated with the ground 318.

The current controller component 306 can desirably adjust (e.g., change or modify) the resistance of the reference resistor component 308, for example, by switching the second reference resistor sub-component 316 in or out, based at least in part on the supply voltage level supplied by the voltage supply component 304 to desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control the amount of bias current (e.g., the bias or reference current level) associated with the amplifier component 302, such as described herein. For instance, if the adjusted (e.g., reduced) supply voltage level applied to the gate of the transistor component 348 is less than the reference voltage level (e.g., the defined minimum threshold voltage level associated with the gate of the transistor component 348), the transistor component 348 can be switched to or maintained in the off state to have the reference resistance comprise the first reference resistor sub-component 314, and the second reference resistor sub-component 316 can be switched out, which can prevent current associated with the supply voltage from flowing through the second reference resistor sub-component 316 to the ground 318. That is, with the transistor component 348 being in the off state, the second reference resistor sub-component 316 associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the transistor component 348 can be disconnected from the ground 318. As a result, the current can flow from the first reference resistor sub-component 314 to the amplifier component 302 without any portion of the current being diverted from the amplifier component 302 to or through the second reference resistor sub-component 316.

If, instead, the adjusted supply voltage level is greater than or equal to the reference voltage level, the transistor component 348 can be switched to or maintained in the on state to switch in the second reference resistor sub-component 316 and change the reference resistance by having the reference resistance comprise the first reference resistor sub-component 314 and second reference resistor sub-component 316. This can divert a portion of the current associated with the supply voltage through the second reference resistor sub-component 316 to the ground 318. That is, with the transistor component 348 being in the on state, the second reference resistor sub-component 316 associated with the transistor component 348 can be connected to the ground 318 via the transistor component 348. As a result, a second portion of the current flowing from the first reference resistor sub-component 314 can be diverted away from the amplifier component 302 and can instead flow from the first reference resistor sub-component 314 through the second reference resistor sub-component 316 to the ground 318, and a first portion (e.g., a desirably reduced portion) of the current can flow to the amplifier component 302.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 presents a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary system 400 that can comprise an enhanced current mirror that can desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control a bias current associated with a DFET amplifier, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The system 400 can comprise, for example, an amplifier component 402, a voltage supply component 404, a current controller component 406, a reference resistor component 408, a voltage adjuster component 410, and a comparator component 412. For reasons of brevity and clarity, only some of the components of the amplifier component 402 are shown in FIG. 4 and described herein. The reference resistor component 408 can comprise a first reference resistor sub-component 414 (RRS 414) and a second reference resistor sub-component 416 (RRS 416). The amplifier component 402, voltage adjuster component 410, and comparator component 412 can be associated with a ground 418. The amplifier component 402, voltage supply component 404, current controller component 406, reference resistor component 408, voltage adjuster component 410, and comparator component 412 can be same as or similar to, and/or can comprise the same or similar functionality and features as, respective components (e.g., respectively named components), such as more fully described herein. The amplifier component 402, voltage supply component 404, current controller component 406, reference resistor component 408, including the first reference resistor sub-component 414 and second reference resistor sub-component 416, voltage adjuster component 410, comparator component 412, and the ground 418 can be respectively arranged in relation to each other in an electronic circuit and/or can be respectively associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) respective other components of the system 400, such as more fully described herein (e.g., with regard to the system 100) and as shown in FIG. 4.

The current controller component 406 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the amplifier component 402. In certain embodiments, the current controller component 406 (including its constituent components, such as described herein), the amplifier component 402, and/or other components or electronic circuitry can be situated on the same die (e.g., same integrated circuit die).

The amplifier component 402 can comprise a set of transistor components, such as, for example, transistor components 420, 422, and/or 424 that can facilitate amplifying or otherwise processing an input signal (e.g., electronic signal) received at the input of the amplifier component 402 to generate an amplified or otherwise processed signal at the output of the amplifier component 402. In some embodiments, the set of transistor components (e.g., 420, 422, and/or 424) can be FETs, although, in other embodiments, the set of transistor components can be a different type of transistor. The respective transistor components of the set of transistor components (e.g., 420, 422, and/or 424) can have respective threshold voltage levels (e.g., minimum threshold voltage levels) associated with their respective gates to facilitate switching the respective transistor components between an off state and on state. In certain embodiments, some of the set of transistor components (e.g., 422 and/or 424) can provide a desired amount of gain (e.g., 8 times (8×) gain or other desired amount of gain less than or greater than 8×) to amplify the input signal.

The gates of the transistor components of the set of transistor components (e.g., 420, 422, and/or 424) can be associated with respective resistor components, such as resistor components 426, 428, and/or 430, wherein the respective resistor components (e.g., 426, 428, and/or 430) can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) a pair of resistor components 432 and 434 at a node situated between resistor component 432 and resistor component 434. The resistor component 432 can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the first reference resistor sub-component 414 and a terminal (e.g., drain terminal) of the transistor component 420, as well as being associated with the second reference resistor sub-component 416. The resistor component 434, at its other terminal (e.g., the terminal not connected to the resistor components 426, 428, 430, and 432), can be connected to V_SS436, which can be a negative supply voltage that typically can be at a desired negative voltage level. In some embodiments, the resistor component 426 can have a resistance of 16 kOhms, although in other embodiments, the resistor component 426 can have a resistance that can be greater than or less than 16 kOhms, if and as desired. In certain embodiments, the resistor components 428 and 430 each can have a resistance of 2 kOhms, although in other embodiments, the resistor components 428 and/or 430 can have a resistance that can be greater than or less than 2 kOhms, if and as desired. Respective terminals (e.g., respective source terminals) of the transistor components of the set of transistor components (e.g., 420, 422, and/or 424) can be associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the ground 418. The resistor components 432 and/or 434 can have a resistance that can be based at least in part on the first reference resistor sub-component 414. For instance, the resistor component 432 can have a resistance that can be approximately five times (or more than five times) greater than the amount of resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 414, although, in other embodiments, the resistance can be less than five times the amount of resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 414. As an example, if the first reference resistor sub-component 414 has a resistance of 1.0 kOhms, the resistor component 432 can have a resistance of 5.0 kOhms (or greater or less than 5.0 kOhms, if desired). In certain embodiments, the resistor component 434 can have a resistance that can correspond to (e.g., can be of the same magnitude as) the resistance of resistor component 432. For example, the resistor component 434 can have a resistance that can be the same as, or approximately the same as, the amount of resistance of the resistor component 432, although, in other embodiments, the resistance of the resistor component 434 can be greater than or less than the resistance of the resistor component 432, if desired.

The voltage adjuster component 410 can comprise a set of diode components, such as diode components 438, 440, and/or 442, and a set of resistor components, such as resistor components 444 and/or 446. The diode component 438 can be associated with the voltage supply component 404, wherein the supply voltage (e.g., V_CC) can be supplied to the diode component 438. The set of diode components (e.g., 438, 440, and/or 442) can reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage to an initial adjusted supply voltage level (e.g., of an initial adjusted supply voltage), which can be supplied to the resistor component 444, such as described herein. A terminal of the resistor component 444 can be associated with the output terminal of diode component 442, and the other terminal of the resistor component 444 can be associated with a terminal of the resistor component 446 and a gate of a transistor component 448 of the comparator component 412. The other terminal of the resistor component 446 can be connected to V_SS436. The resistor components 444 and 446 can further reduce or process the initial adjusted supply voltage to generate the adjusted supply voltage at the desired adjusted supply voltage level, such as described herein. In some embodiments, the resistor component 444 can have a resistance that can be based at least in part on the first reference resistor sub-component 414. For instance, the resistor component 444 can have a resistance that can be approximately five times (or more than five times) greater than the amount of resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 414, although, in other embodiments, the resistance can be less than five times the amount of resistance of the first reference resistor sub-component 414. As an example, if the first reference resistor sub-component 414 has a resistance of 1.0 kOhms, the resistor component 444 can have a resistance of 5.0 kOhms (or greater or less than 5.0 kOhms, if desired). In certain embodiments, the resistor component 446 can have a resistance that can correspond to (e.g., can be of the same magnitude as) the resistance of the resistor component 444. For example, the resistor component 446 can have a resistance that can be the same as, or approximately the same as, the amount of resistance of the resistor component 444, although, in other embodiments, the resistance of the resistor component 446 can be greater than or less than the resistance of the resistor component 444, if desired. The resistor components 444 and 446 of the voltage adjuster component 410 can supply the adjusted supply voltage at the adjusted supply voltage level to the gate of a transistor component 448.

The transistor component 448 can have a defined threshold gate voltage level (e.g., defined minimum threshold voltage level) for switching the transistor component 448 between the off state and the on state, wherein the defined threshold gate voltage level can be the reference voltage level employed by the comparator component 412. One terminal (e.g., drain terminal) of the transistor component 448 can be associated with the second reference resistor sub-component 416, and the other terminal (e.g., source terminal) of the transistor component 448 can be associated with the ground 418. Since this is a DFET, the defined threshold voltage level of the gate of the transistor component 448 typically can be a negative voltage level, such as, for example, at or approximately −1.0V or other desired negative voltage level. The adjusted supply voltage level can be sufficiently low enough to be below the threshold voltage level when a relatively lower supply voltage (e.g., 5V or other relatively lower supply voltage) is utilized in the circuit for the amplifier component 402, where the transistor component 448 can be in an off state when the adjusted supply voltage level is below the threshold voltage level of the gate of the transistor component 448. When the supply voltage level utilized in the circuit for the amplifier component 402 is a relatively higher voltage level (e.g., 8V or higher), the adjusted supply voltage level can be sufficiently high enough (e.g., at or above 0V) to be at or above the defined threshold voltage level associated with the gate of the transistor component 448, where the transistor component 448 can be in an on state when the adjusted supply voltage level is at or above the threshold voltage level of the gate of the transistor component 448.

The current controller component 406 can desirably adjust (e.g., change or modify) the resistance of the reference resistor component 408, for example, by switching the second reference resistor sub-component 416 in or out, based at least in part on the supply voltage level supplied by the voltage supply component 404 to desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control the amount of bias current associated with the amplifier component 402, such as described herein. For instance, if the adjusted (e.g., reduced) supply voltage level applied to the gate of the transistor component 448 is less than the reference voltage level (e.g., the defined minimum threshold voltage level associated with the gate of the transistor component 448), the transistor component 448 can be switched to or maintained in the off state to have the reference resistance comprise the first reference resistor sub-component 414, and the second reference resistor sub-component 416 can be switched out, which can prevent current associated with the supply voltage from flowing through the second reference resistor sub-component 416 to the ground 418. That is, with the transistor component 448 being in the off state, the second reference resistor sub-component 416 associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the transistor component 448 can be disconnected from the ground 418. As a result, the current can flow from the first reference resistor sub-component 414 to the amplifier component 402 without any portion of the current being diverted from the amplifier component 402 to or through the second reference resistor sub-component 416.

If, instead, the adjusted supply voltage level is greater than or equal to the reference voltage level, the transistor component 448 can be switched to or maintained in the on state to switch in the second reference resistor sub-component 416 and change the reference resistance by having the reference resistance comprise the first reference resistor sub-component 414 and second reference resistor sub-component 416. By engaging the second reference resistor sub-component 416, this can divert a portion of the current associated with the supply voltage through the second reference resistor sub-component 416 to the ground 418. That is, with the transistor component 448 being in the on state, the second reference resistor sub-component 416 associated with the transistor component 448 can be connected to the ground 418 via the transistor component 448. As a result, a second portion of the current flowing from the first reference resistor sub-component 414 can be diverted away from the amplifier component 402 and can instead flow from the first reference resistor sub-component 414 through the second reference resistor sub-component 416 to the ground 418, and a first portion (e.g., a desirably reduced portion) of the current can flow to the amplifier component 402.

Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary current controller component 500 that can change a resistance associated with a supply voltage by switching in or out respective reference resistors based on respective supply voltage levels to facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) controlling a bias current associated with an amplifier, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The current controller component 500 can comprise, for example, a group (e.g., N) of current controller sub-components, such as current controller sub-component 502, current controller sub-component 504, and/or current controller sub-component 506, that can be utilized to switch in or out different reference resistor sub-components, depending in part on what the supply voltage level is, to facilitate desirably controlling the bias current associated with an amplifier, wherein N can be virtually any desired number.

In some embodiments, the current controller sub-component 502 can comprise a reference resistor component 508, a voltage adjuster component 510, and a comparator component 512. The reference resistor component 508 can comprise a reference resistor sub-component 514 (e.g., a first reference resistor sub-component) of a desired resistance and a reference resistor sub-component 516 (e.g., a second reference resistor sub-component) having a desired first resistance. The current controller sub-component 502, including its constituent components, can be configured to be employed (e.g., engaged) when supply voltage from a first voltage supply component is at a first supply voltage level (e.g., 8V or another desired voltage). The first resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 516 can be determined and selected based at least in part on the first supply voltage level and the resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 514 to facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, and/or optimally) controlling the bias current, for example, by switching in the first resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 516 (in combination with the reference resistor sub-component 514) to change the resistance if and when the first voltage supply component is utilized to provide the first supply voltage at the first supply voltage level to the amplifier component.

The voltage adjuster component 510 can reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage by a desired amount to a first adjusted supply voltage level, such as described herein. The first adjusted supply voltage level can be sufficiently reduced from the supply voltage level such that, when a relatively lower supply voltage (e.g., 5V, 6V, or other relatively lower supply voltage) is utilized, the gate voltage applied to the gate of the transistor component (not shown in FIG. 5) of the comparator component 512 can be low enough to be below the defined threshold gate voltage (e.g., defined minimum threshold gate voltage, or reference voltage level) of the transistor component to switch the transistor component to or maintain it in an off state; and when the first supply voltage (e.g., 8V) or other relatively higher supply voltage (e.g., above 8V) is utilized, the gate voltage applied to the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component 512 can be high enough to be at or above the defined threshold gate voltage of the transistor component of the comparator component 512 to switch that transistor component to or maintain it in an on state. Accordingly, when the relatively lower supply voltage is utilized, the reference resistor sub-component 516 can be switched out or off (e.g., can be disconnected from the ground), because the transistor component of the comparator component 512 can be switched off, to prevent current from the reference resistor sub-component 514 from flowing through the reference resistor sub-component 516, and, when the first supply voltage or other higher supply voltage is utilized, the reference resistor sub-component 516 can be switched in or on (e.g., can be connected to the ground) to add in the first resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 516, because the transistor component of the comparator component 512 can be switched on, to divert a portion of current flowing from the reference resistor sub-component 514 to and through the reference resistor sub-component 516 to reduce the amount of current flowing to the amplifier component to facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, and/or optimally) controlling the bias current associated with the amplifier component.

The current controller sub-component 504 can comprise a reference resistor component 518, a voltage adjuster component 520, and a comparator component 522. The reference resistor component 518 can comprise the reference resistor sub-component 514 (e.g., the first reference resistor sub-component) and a reference resistor sub-component 524 (e.g., another second reference resistor sub-component) having a desired second resistance. The current controller sub-component 504, including its constituent components, can be configured to be employed when supply voltage from a second voltage supply component is at a second supply voltage level (e.g., 10V or another desired relatively higher voltage that is higher than the first supply voltage level). The second resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 524 can be determined and selected based at least in part on the second supply voltage level, the resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 514, and/or the first resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 516 to facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, and/or optimally) controlling the bias current, for example, by switching in the second resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 524 (in combination with the reference resistor sub-component 514 and reference resistor sub-component 516) to change the resistance if and when the second voltage supply component is utilized to provide the second supply voltage at the second supply voltage level to the amplifier component.

The voltage adjuster component 520 can desirably reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage by a desired amount to produce a second adjusted supply voltage at a second adjusted supply voltage level, such as described herein. The voltage adjuster component 520 can adjust the supply voltage level to produce the second adjusted supply voltage level such that the second adjusted supply voltage level typically can be lower than the first adjusted supply voltage level produced by the voltage adjuster component 510. For instance, the second adjusted supply voltage level can be sufficiently reduced from the supply voltage level such that, when a relatively lower supply voltage (e.g., 5V, 6V, or other relatively lower supply voltage) or even the first supply voltage (e.g., 8V) is utilized, the gate voltage applied to the gate of the transistor component (not shown in FIG. 5) of the comparator component 522 can be low enough to be below the defined threshold gate voltage (e.g., defined minimum threshold gate voltage, or reference voltage level) of the transistor component of the comparator component 522 to switch that transistor component to or maintain it in an off state; and when the second supply voltage (e.g., 10V) or other relatively higher supply voltage (e.g., above 10V) is utilized, the gate voltage applied to the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component 522 can be high enough to be at or above the defined threshold gate voltage of that transistor component to switch that transistor component to or maintain it in an on state. Accordingly, when the relatively lower supply voltage or the first supply voltage is utilized, the reference resistor sub-component 524 can be switched out or off (e.g., can be disconnected from the ground), because the transistor component of the comparator component 522 can be switched off, to prevent current from the reference resistor sub-component 514 from flowing through the reference resistor sub-component 524, and, when the second supply voltage or other higher supply voltage is utilized, the reference resistor sub-component 524 (and the reference resistor sub-component 516) can be switched in or on (e.g., can be connected to the ground) to add in the second resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 524, because the transistor component of the comparator component 522 (and because the transistor component of the comparator component 512) can be switched on, to divert a portion of current flowing from the reference resistor sub-component 514 to and through the reference resistor sub-component 524 (and the reference resistor sub-component 516) to reduce the amount of current flowing to the amplifier component. This can facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, and/or optimally) controlling the bias current associated with the amplifier component. The amount of current diverted through the combination of the reference resistor sub-component 524 and the reference resistor sub-component 516 in this example scenario can desirably be greater than the amount of current that can be diverted through the reference resistor sub-component 516 in the example scenario when the first supply voltage has been employed in the circuit for the amplifier component.

The current controller sub-component 506 can comprise a reference resistor component 526, a voltage adjuster component 528, and a comparator component 530. The reference resistor component 526 can comprise the reference resistor sub-component 514 (e.g., the first reference resistor sub-component) and a reference resistor sub-component 532 (e.g., still another second reference resistor sub-component) having a desired third resistance. The current controller sub-component 506, including its constituent components, can be configured to be employed when supply voltage from a third voltage supply component is at a third supply voltage level (e.g., 12V or another desired voltage that can be higher than the first supply voltage level and second supply voltage level). The third resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 532 can be determined and selected based at least in part on the third supply voltage level, the resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 514, the reference resistor sub-component 516, and/or the reference resistor sub-component 524 to facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, and/or optimally) controlling the bias current, for example, by switching in the third resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 532 (in combination with the reference resistor sub-component 514 and the reference resistor sub-component 524) to change the resistance if and when the third voltage supply component is utilized to provide the third supply voltage at the third supply voltage level to the amplifier component.

The voltage adjuster component 528 can desirably reduce the supply voltage level of the supply voltage by a desired amount to produce a third adjusted supply voltage at a third adjusted supply voltage level, such as described herein. For instance, the voltage adjuster component 528 can adjust the supply voltage level to produce the third adjusted supply voltage level such that the third adjusted supply voltage level typically can be lower than the second adjusted supply voltage level produced by the voltage adjuster component 520 and the first adjusted supply voltage level produced by the voltage adjuster component 510. The third adjusted supply voltage level can be sufficiently reduced from the supply voltage level such that, when a relatively lower supply voltage (e.g., 5V, 6V, or other relatively lower supply voltage) or even the first supply voltage (e.g., 8V) or second supply voltage (e.g., 10V) is utilized, the gate voltage applied to the gate of the transistor component (not shown in FIG. 5) of the comparator component 530 can be low enough to be below the defined threshold gate voltage (e.g., defined minimum threshold gate voltage, or reference voltage level) of the transistor component of the comparator component 530 to switch that transistor component to or maintain it in an off state; and when the second supply voltage (e.g., 12V) or other relatively higher supply voltage (e.g., above 12V) is utilized, the gate voltage applied to the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component 530 can be high enough to be at or above the defined threshold gate voltage of that transistor component to switch that transistor component to or maintain it in an on state. Accordingly, when the relatively lower supply voltage or the first or second supply voltage is utilized, the reference resistor sub-component 532 can be switched out or off (e.g., can be disconnected from the ground), because the transistor component of the comparator component 530 can be switched off, to prevent current from the reference resistor sub-component 514 from flowing through the reference resistor sub-component 532, and, when the third supply voltage or other higher supply voltage is utilized, the reference resistor sub-component 532 (and the reference resistor sub-component 516 and reference resistor sub-component 524) can be switched in or on (e.g., can be connected to the ground) to add in the third resistance of the reference resistor sub-component 532, because the transistor component of the comparator component 530 (and because the transistor component of the comparator component 512 and the transistor component of the comparator component 522) can be switched on, to divert a desired portion of current flowing from the reference resistor sub-component 514 to and through the reference resistor sub-component 532 (and the reference resistor sub-component 516 and the reference resistor sub-component 524) to desirably reduce the amount of current flowing to the amplifier component. This can facilitate desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, and/or optimally) controlling the bias current associated with the amplifier component. The amount of current diverted through the combination of the reference resistor sub-component 532, reference resistor sub-component 524, and reference resistor sub-component 516 in this example scenario can desirably be greater than the amount of current that can be diverted through the reference resistor sub-component 516 in the example first scenario when the first supply voltage has been employed in the circuit for the amplifier component and can desirably be greater than the amount of current that can be diverted through the reference resistor sub-component 516 and reference resistor sub-component 524 in the example second scenario when the second supply voltage has been employed in the circuit for the amplifier component.

It is noted that the respective comparator components (e.g., 512, 522, and 530) can be connected to ground, and the respective voltage adjuster components (e.g., 510, 528, and 528) can be connected to ground of V_SS, depending on whether EFET or DFET is employed. For reasons of brevity and clarity, such connections to ground or V_SSare not shown in FIG. 5.

The aforementioned systems and/or devices have been described with respect to interaction between several components. It should be appreciated that such systems and components can include those components or sub-components specified therein, some of the specified components or sub-components, and/or additional components. Sub-components could also be implemented as components communicatively coupled to other components rather than included within parent components. Further yet, one or more components and/or sub-components may be combined into a single component providing aggregate functionality. The components may also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein for the sake of brevity, but known by those of skill in the art.

In view of the example systems and/or devices described herein, example methods that can be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can be further appreciated with reference to flowcharts in FIGS. 6-7. For purposes of simplicity of explanation, example methods disclosed herein are presented and described as a series of acts; however, it is to be understood and appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, a method disclosed herein could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, interaction diagram(s) may represent methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter when disparate entities enact disparate portions of the methods. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a method in accordance with the subject specification. It should be further appreciated that the methods disclosed throughout the subject specification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring such methods to computers for execution by a processor or for storage in a memory.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 600 that can employ an enhanced current mirror that can desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control a bias current associated with an amplifier component, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The method 600 can be employed by, for example, a system comprising the current controller component and an amplifier component associated with the current controller component, which can comprise a voltage adjuster component, a comparator component, and a reference resistor component that can comprise a first reference resistor sub-component and a second reference resistor sub-component.

At 602, a reduced supply voltage level can be compared to a reference voltage level, wherein the reduced supply voltage level can be derived from a supply voltage level of a supply voltage that can be supplied to an amplifier component, wherein a reference resistor component can comprise a first reference resistor sub-component and a second reference resistor sub-component, and wherein the first reference resistor sub-component can be associated with the supply voltage, the second reference resistor sub-component, and at least a first transistor component of the amplifier component.

The current controller component can comprise the reference resistor component, voltage adjuster component, and comparator component, and can be associated with the amplifier component. The voltage adjuster component can adjust the supply voltage to reduce the supply voltage level to the reduced supply voltage level. The comparator component can compare the reduced supply voltage level to the reference voltage level (e.g., the minimum threshold voltage level associated with the gate of the transistor component of the comparator component).

At 604, switching of operational states of a transistor component (e.g., of a comparator component) associated with the second reference resistor sub-component can be controlled, based at least in part on a result of the comparing of the reduced supply voltage level to the reference voltage level, to facilitate controlling a bias current level associated with the amplifier component. The current controller component can control switching of the operational states of the transistor component of the comparator component, based at least in part on the result of the comparing of the reduced supply voltage level to the reference voltage level, to facilitate controlling the bias current level associated with the amplifier component.

For instance, if the comparison result indicates that the reduced supply voltage level is less than the reference voltage level, this can indicate that the supply voltage level is relatively low, and, accordingly, the transistor component can be switched to or maintained in an off state, which can switch out the second reference resistor sub-component (e.g., keep the second reference resistor sub-component from being connected to the ground, and prevent current associated with the supply voltage from flowing through the second reference resistor sub-component to the ground). If the comparison result indicates that the reduced supply voltage level is greater than or equal to the reference voltage level, this can indicate that the supply voltage level is relatively high, and, accordingly, the transistor component can be switched to or maintained in an on state, which can switch in the second reference resistor sub-component and adjust the resistance of the reference resistor component. Switching the transistor component to the on state can connect the second reference resistor sub-component to the ground, which can allow a portion (e.g., second portion) of the current associated with the supply voltage to flow through the second reference resistor sub-component to the ground. This can reduce the amount of current (e.g., reduce to a first portion of current) that flows from the first reference resistor sub-component to the amplifier component.

FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart of another example method 700 that can employ an enhanced current mirror that can desirably (e.g., accurately, efficiently, enhanced, and/or optimally) control a bias current associated with an amplifier component, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The method 700 can be employed by, for example, a system comprising the current controller component and an amplifier component associated with the current controller component, which can comprise a voltage adjuster component, a comparator component, and a reference resistor component that can comprise a first reference resistor sub-component and a second reference resistor sub-component.

At 702, a supply voltage level of a supply voltage supplied to an amplifier component can be reduced to generate a reduced supply voltage at a reduced supply voltage level. The supply voltage can be applied to the amplifier component. A current can be produced through the first reference resistor sub-component that can be situated between and associated with (e.g., electronically connected to) the voltage supply component and the amplifier component. The current controller component can comprise a voltage adjuster component that can adjust the supply voltage level of the supply voltage to generate the reduced supply voltage at the reduced supply voltage level.

At 704, the reduced supply voltage level can be compared to a reference voltage level. The comparator component can compare the reduced supply voltage level of the reduced supply voltage to the reference voltage level (e.g., the minimum threshold voltage level associated with a gate of the transistor component of the comparator component).

At 706, a determination can be made regarding whether the reduced supply voltage is less than the reference voltage level. The comparator component can determine whether the reduced supply voltage is less than the reference voltage level based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the reduced supply voltage level to the reference voltage level.

If the reduced supply voltage level is determined to be less than the reference voltage level, at 708, the transistor component can be switched to or maintained in the off state to have the reference resistance comprise the first reference resistor sub-component and have the second reference resistor sub-component switched out or off, which can prevent current associated with the supply voltage from flowing through the second reference resistor sub-component to the ground. If the reduced supply voltage level is less than the reference voltage level, the transistor component can be switched to or maintained in the off state. As a result, the second reference resistor sub-component associated with the transistor component can be disconnected from the ground, and accordingly, current can flow from the first reference resistor sub-component to the amplifier component without any portion of the current being diverted from the amplifier component to the second reference resistor sub-component.

Referring again to reference numeral 706, if, instead, at 706, the reduced supply voltage level is determined to not be less than (e.g., determined to be greater than or equal to; meet or exceed; or satisfy) the reference voltage level, at 710, the transistor component can be switched to or maintained in the on state to switch in the second reference resistor sub-component and have the reference resistance comprise the first reference resistor sub-component and second reference resistor sub-component, which can divert a portion of the current associated with the supply voltage through the second reference resistor sub-component to the ground. If the reduced supply voltage level is greater than or equal to the reference voltage level, the transistor component can be switched to or maintained in the on state. As a result, the second reference resistor sub-component associated with the transistor component can be connected to the ground via the transistor component, and accordingly, a second portion of the current can be diverted away from the amplifier component and can flow from the first reference resistor sub-component through the second reference resistor sub-component, and a first portion (e.g., a desirably reduced portion) of the current can flow to the amplifier component.