A current source with low power consumption and reduced on-chip area occupancy. The current source for providing a constant current to a load includes a first circuit that generates a reference current. The first circuit includes a first plurality of interconnected transistors. The current source also includes a characteristic resistor, coupled to the first circuit, that determines value of the reference current. The current source further includes a second circuit and a third circuit. The second circuit, coupled to the first circuit and to the load, generates an output current that is identical to the reference current. The second circuit includes a second plurality of interconnected transistors. The third circuit, coupled to the first circuit, drives a multiple of the reference current into the characteristic resistor. The third circuit includes a third plurality of interconnected transistors.