---
page_id: wsd-i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference-9ce89d5b
type: context-page
schema_version: 1
template_id: discord-page
template_version: template-0.1.0
title: "Thread: I need a quick&dirty current reference"
slug: wsd-i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference-9ce89d5b
route: /evidence/designing/analog/threads/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference
section: reference
access: public
summary: 11 Discord messages from 📐 - Designing/🕰️-analog/threads/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference.md.
status: published
asset_base: .
home_href: /
md_url: /evidence/designing/analog/threads/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference.md
toc_enabled: true
talk_enabled: false
agent_view_enabled: true
copy_buttons_enabled: true
footer_enabled: true
search_indexed: true
tags: [discord, wafer-space, archive]
last_updated: 2026-08-19
talk_url: /evidence/designing/analog/threads/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference.talk.md
talk_route: /evidence/designing/analog/threads/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/talk
---

# Thread: I need a quick&dirty current reference

Category: **📐 - Designing**
Parent channel: **#🕰️-analog**
Thread ID: `1510747067734036540`

Messages: **11**

## message-1510781231346749550

**2026-05-31T23:05:14.511+00:00 — Thomas Dexter (@tdextrous)**

- Message ID: `1510781231346749550`
- Author ID: `661042976646103116`
- Nickname: Thomas Dexter
- User name: tdextrous
- Type: `21`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510781231346749550
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-05/2026-05.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-05/2026-05.json

**Reply/reference**
- https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1408135265427394661/1510747067734036540
<details>
<summary>Reference data</summary>

```json
{
  "channelId": "1408135265427394661",
  "guildId": "1361349522684510449",
  "messageId": "1510747067734036540"
}
```

</details>

**Content**

```text

```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-05_media/b87f1ac5425d546335899b38a8a147c8-28C91.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {
    "mentions": [
      {
        "avatarUrl": "2026-05_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
        "color": null,
        "discriminator": "0000",
        "id": "596068704471482370",
        "isBot": false,
        "name": "246tnt",
        "nickname": "tnt",
        "roles": []
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510781246588981350

**2026-05-31T23:05:18.145+00:00 — Thomas Dexter (@tdextrous)**

- Message ID: `1510781246588981350`
- Author ID: `661042976646103116`
- Nickname: Thomas Dexter
- User name: tdextrous
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510781246588981350
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-05/2026-05.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-05/2026-05.json

**Content**

```text
Could use a resistor connecting vdd to a mos diode, or a widlar source.
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-05_media/b87f1ac5425d546335899b38a8a147c8-28C91.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510891971055452242

**2026-06-01T06:25:16.915+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1510891971055452242`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510891971055452242
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
That's what I usually do but I was hoping for something with a bit less Vdd dependence ...
Here say I make by 30 uA at 3.3V nominal. Voltage across nmos will be say ~ 1.5V so I have R = (3.3 - 1.5) / 30u = ~ 60k.  When going to 5V, the 1.5V drop is much less significant so I have 3.5V across resistor and not 1.8V anymore and I go to 58 uA. Simulating it's actually a bit worse than that and then if you had corners, you go even more off.

So I was hoping for something that at least reduces the Vdd dependence somewha.t
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510892417488912516

**2026-06-01T06:27:03.353+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1510892417488912516`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510892417488912516
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
And AFAICT the widlar source does nothing to help that.
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510932836671291432

**2026-06-01T09:07:40.037+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1510932836671291432`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510932836671291432
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text

```

**Attachments**

- Resolved media URL: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06_media/2026-06-01_562x652_scrot-4CF22.png
<details>
<summary>Attachments data</summary>

```json
[
  {
    "fileName": "2026-06-01_562x652_scrot.png",
    "fileSizeBytes": 19722,
    "id": "1510932836394340452",
    "url": "2026-06_media/2026-06-01_562x652_scrot-4CF22.png"
  }
]
```

</details>

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510932877267697685

**2026-06-01T09:07:49.716+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1510932877267697685`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510932877267697685
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
That's what I think I'll end up with.
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510932978145165423

**2026-06-01T09:08:13.767+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1510932978145165423`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510932978145165423
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
Bigger that I would have liked, but should be decent enough.
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1510939985954734151

**2026-06-01T09:36:04.559+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1510939985954734151`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510939985954734151
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
or actually might use the same topology but in nmos, makes it a bit smaller.
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1511005421027197071

**2026-06-01T13:56:05.496+00:00 — namibj**

- Message ID: `1511005421027197071`
- Author ID: `262706220073222144`
- Nickname: namibj
- User name: namibj
- Type: `Reply`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1511005421027197071
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Reply/reference**
- https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1510891971055452242
<details>
<summary>Reference data</summary>

```json
{
  "channelId": "1510747067734036540",
  "guildId": "1361349522684510449",
  "messageId": "1510891971055452242"
}
```

</details>

**Content**

```text
Stack mos diodes; tap resistor off that intermediate into a current mirror? You have headroom at these Vdd's
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/f885abc0dddd0a33e4d4991b3c99091d-7ACD2.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {
    "mentions": [
      {
        "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
        "color": null,
        "discriminator": "0000",
        "id": "596068704471482370",
        "isBot": false,
        "name": "246tnt",
        "nickname": "tnt",
        "roles": []
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1511009306596610139

**2026-06-01T14:11:31.888+00:00 — tnt (@246tnt)**

- Message ID: `1511009306596610139`
- Author ID: `596068704471482370`
- Nickname: tnt
- User name: 246tnt
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1511009306596610139
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
Problem is solved. The above works.
This is a temp sweep from 15C to 50C (realistic operating range) with VDD from 3 to 5.  Typical corner. And this goes from 31uA to 37uA.
Sweeping across all transitor and resistor corners and vdd and temp, I get from 22uA to 55uA which is good enough for this application.
```

**Attachments**

- Resolved media URL: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06_media/2026-06-01_1718x1418_scrot-EA878.png
<details>
<summary>Attachments data</summary>

```json
[
  {
    "fileName": "2026-06-01_1718x1418_scrot.png",
    "fileSizeBytes": 50576,
    "id": "1511009306261061753",
    "url": "2026-06_media/2026-06-01_1718x1418_scrot-EA878.png"
  }
]
```

</details>

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/88d17af9d19ab43565b0c46751ef7d12-DFEE5.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---

## message-1511010195319296100

**2026-06-01T14:15:03.776+00:00 — namibj**

- Message ID: `1511010195319296100`
- Author ID: `262706220073222144`
- Nickname: namibj
- User name: namibj
- Type: `Default`
- Discord message: https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1510747067734036540/1511010195319296100
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%8F%97%EF%B8%8F%20-%20Designing/analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json
- Archive source: https://discord.wafer.space/wafer-space/%F0%9F%93%90%20-%20Designing/%F0%9F%95%B0%EF%B8%8F-analog/i-need-a-quickdirty-current-reference/2026-06/2026-06.json

**Content**

```text
Yay
```

<details>
<summary>Other message metadata</summary>

```json
{
  "author": {
    "avatarUrl": "2026-06_media/f885abc0dddd0a33e4d4991b3c99091d-7ACD2.png",
    "discriminator": "0000",
    "isBot": false
  },
  "message": {}
}
```

</details>

---