US3593198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid-state free running triangle waveform generator
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1969-09-15
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1989-09-15
Abstract
Abstract This is a free running triangular waveform generator circuit having a linear output. The circuit includes two constant current generators, one charging and the other discharging a capacitor, a buffer circuit which transmits a first and second voltage level across the capacitor without loading down the capacitor, and a switching circuit which is activated by the two transmitted voltage levels so as to switch one of the constant current generators on and off. The switching and buffering circuits have no capacitors and the charging capacitor is a very small value, thus making the circuit adaptable for integrated circuit fabrication.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund A Karcher
- 👤 Jack G Paschal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:35
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K4/00; H03K4/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit having a linear output comprising: a capacitor; a first constant current generator coupled to said capacitor, said first current generator supplying a constant charging current to said capacitor; a second constant current generator coupled to said capacitor, said second current generator removing a constant discharging current from said capacitor; buffering means coupled to said capacitor, said buffering means transmitting a first and second voltage level across said capacitor without loading down said capacitor; and means for switching one of said current generators between a conducting and nonconducting state, said switching means coupled to said buffering means and sensing said first and second transmitted voltage levels whereby said first sensed voltage level causes said switching means to switch said one current generator to said conducting state and said second sensed voltage level causes said switching means to switch said one current generator to said nonconducting state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit having a linear output comprising: a capacitor; a first constant current generator coupled to said capacitor, said first current generator supplying a constant charging current to said capacitor; a second constant current generator coupled to said capacitor, said second current generator removing a constant discharging current from said capacitor; buffering means coupled to said capacitor, said buffering means transmitting a first and second voltage level across said capacitor without loading down said capacitor; and means for switching one of said current generators between a conducting and nonconducting state, said switching means coupled to said buffering means and sensing said first and second transmitted voltage levels whereby said first sensed voltage level causes said switching means to switch said one current generator to said conducting state and said second sensed voltage level causes said switching means to switch said one current generator to said nonconducting state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 1 wherein said capacitor has a capacitance of less than 100 pf. and is the only capacitor used in said triangular waveform generator circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 1 wherein said first and second current generators each include a transistor having an emitter, base and collector, a diode having an anode and a cathode, the base of said transistor being coupled to the cathode of said diode, the anode of said diode being coupled to an external voltage supply, the emitter of said transistor being coupled to said external voltage supply through a first resistor, the base of said transistor being coupled to a circuit ground through a second resistor, and the collector of said transistor being coupled to said capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 1 wherein said buffering means includes: a first and second transistor, each transistor having an emitter, base and collector; and a third constant current generator coupled to the emitter of said second transistor, the base of said second transistor being coupled to the emitter of said first transistor, the collectors of said first and second transistors being coupled to an external voltage supply through a resistor, the base of said first transistor being coupled to said capacitor, and the emitter of said second transistor being coupled to said switching means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 4 wherein the linear output waveform is obtained between a circuit ground and the emitter of said second transistor of said buffering means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 1 wherein said switching means includes: a first and second control circuit coupled to said buffering means, said firsT control circuit detects said first voltage level and said second control circuit detects said second voltage level; and a switching transistor having an emitter, base and collector, the emitter of said switching transistor being coupled to an external voltage supply, the collector of said switching transistor being coupled to said second current generator, and the base of said switching transistor being coupled to said first and second detected voltage levels, whereby said first detected voltage level causes said switching transistor to turn to the nonconducting state thereby switching said second current generator to the conducting state, and said second detected voltage level causes said switching transistor to switch to the saturated state thereby switching said second current generator to the nonconducting state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 6 wherein said first control circuit includes: a zener diode having an anode and a cathode, the cathode of said zener diode being coupled to said sensing means; and a transistor having an emitter, base and collector, the emitter of said transistor being coupled through a resistor to the anode of said zener diode whereby the combination of said zener diode and said transistor senses a positive voltage level, said positive voltage level being said first voltage level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 6 wherein said second control circuit includes: a diode having an anode and a cathode, the cathode of said diode being coupled to said sensing means; and a transistor having an emitter, base and collector, the base of said transistor being coupled to the anode of said diode, whereby the combination of said diode and transistor senses a negative voltage level, said negative voltage level being said second voltage level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 6 wherein said second control circuit includes: a zener diode having an anode and a cathode, the anode of said zener diode being coupled to said sensing means; and a transistor having an emitter, base and collector, the base of said transistor being coupled to the cathode of said zener diode, whereby the combination of said zener diode and transistor senses a negative voltage, said negative voltage being said second voltage level, so that the linear output waveform is symmetrical about a zero potential.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 1 wherein said second current generator is switched between said conducting and nonconducting state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 10 wherein said discharging current is greater than said charging current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A free running triangular waveform generator circuit according to claim 10 wherein said discharging current of said second current generator is twice as large as said charging current of said first current generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |