This article puts the spotlight on low quiescent-current (Iq) consumption in power-line communications (PLC), and we’ll start by looking at an overtemperature protection (OTP) circuit for PLC applications. When compared to the traditional structure of a comparator, the quiescent current and the transistor consumption of the circuit is effectively reduced.
However, it will have limitations when using a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) process. A proposed option has a current distribution structure with a positive loop, which will realize state switching if the temperature exceeds the threshold or recovers. Traditional structures, with integrated comparators in the CMOS process, will not be able to lower quiescent current adequately.