Basic principles
A current mirror is a circuit block which functions to produce a copy of the current in one active device by replicating the current in second active device. An important feature of the current mirror is a relatively high output resistance which helps to keep the output current constant regardless of load conditions. Another feature of the current mirror is a relatively low input resistance which helps to keep the input current constant regardless of drive conditions. The current being 'copied' can be, and often is, a varying signal current. Conceptually, an ideal current mirror is simply an ideal current amplifier with a gain of -1. The current mirror is often used to provide bias currents and active loads in amplifier stages.Given a current source as the input, we convert the current (entering the current mirror) into a voltage and then use this voltage to control a current sink (the current exiting the mirror); as a result, we obtain a current sink (figure 11.1a). Conversely, given a current sink as the input, we convert the input current (exiting the current mirror) into a voltage and then use this voltage to control a current source (figure 11.1b); as a result, now we obtain a current source. We can generalize this basic current mirror structure in a first conclusion: