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I have a 1.8V logic signal that I would like to use to control an enhancement N-channel MOSFET to switch current through a resistor from the drain to a 3V power rail.

It's in a very power sensitive design. All of the enhancement-mode mosfets I looked at seem to specify max "Zero Gate Voltage Drain Current" Idss as 1 μA, which means if I would want the resistor/drain junction to go close to the 3V rail - say within 0.27V - the resistor would need to be a 270KΩ pull-up, and a 10μA on current, all of which are significant currents in a small battery powered application.

Update: I have limited board space, and need about 6 off devices. I have looked at some TI FemtoFET devices (bit of a pain to place as very small) and TPS22860 ultra low leakage load switches which might work.

Any suggestions - should I be using a different type of device?

enter image description here

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    \$\begingroup\$ Include the schematic! Yes even if it is not working/wrong/whatever. You mention "enhancement mode" a lot, almost no-one uses the opposite (depletion mode) as they're very rare and usually not needed. My guess is that you're overcomplicating things but to see that I need your schematic. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 15:00
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    \$\begingroup\$ Usually the 1uA spec is at 25°C Tj, so you need to consider temperature. 2N7000/2 has a maximum leakage of 0.5 or 1mA at maximum temperature! That said, the typical leakage is much, much lower, in the nA range. Do you feel lucky? \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 15:08
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    \$\begingroup\$ What MOSFET on resistance are you considering and, what value of resistor are you considering and what's the worst case volt drop across said resistor when the MOSFET is off. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 15:12
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for comments guys. I am an old physicist, hence the mention of enhancement mode mosfets. The 1uA is worst case across full temp range for the devices. I will add a schematic \$\endgroup\$
    – Giles
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 15:49
  • \$\begingroup\$ If the current through that pull-up resistor is an issue, use a levelshifter IC instead of this circuit. For example: ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/… \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 16:15

1 Answer 1

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The ADG601/602 analogue switch has very low leakage: -

enter image description here

And the leakage is lower on a lower supply voltage such as 3.3 volts and 0 volts.

It also has a 2.5 Ω on resistance if that helps?

The supply rail is: -

Dual ±2.7 V to ±5.5 V or single +2.7 V to +5.5 V supplies

So, just regard it as a load switch.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you for the reply - I have a 0 to 1.8V digital input, so cant meet Vinh \$\endgroup\$
    – Giles
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 15:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Giles then the problem has reduced to how can I make my signal greater than 2.4 volts surely. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 16:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for the suggestion - I have limited board space, and need about 6 off devices. I have looked at some TI FemtoFET devices (bit of a pain to place as very small) and TPS22860 ultra low leakage load switches which might work. \$\endgroup\$
    – Giles
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 16:19
  • \$\begingroup\$ You should mention these constraints and endeavours in your question. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 16:20
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    \$\begingroup\$ You can still edit your post. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 16:39

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