US3725801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage driver circuit
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A voltage driver circuit which may be utilized as an input circuit to a sense amplifier and which operates as a voltage level shifting circuit to permit interconnection of different types of circuit technology.
Inventors
- 👤 H Beelitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:28
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/0175; H03K19/018; H03K19/01806; H03K19/01812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A circuit for handling information signals in accordance with control signals comprising: signal supplying means for supplying and receiving signals and having a terminal serving as both an input terminal and an output terminal, output means having an input terminal, first source of potential, input means receptive of the control signals, first coupling means having a conduction path coupled between said first source of potential and the input/output terminal of said signal supplying means, and having a control electrode coupled to said input means for controlling the conduction of the conduction path, said first coupling means conducting a signal to said signal supplying means in the presence of a first control signal at the input means, a second coupling means having a conduction path coupled between the input/output terminal of said signal supplying means and the input terminal of said output means, and having a control electrode coupled to said input means for controlling the conduction of the conduction path, said second coupling means conducting a signal from said signal supplying means to said output means in the presence of a second control signal at the input means, and limiting means coupled to the second coupling means for limiting the amplitude of the signal supplied to said output means from said signal supplying means via said second coupling means and for diverting a portion of the signal from said signal supplying means in accordance with the magnitude of the signal conducted by the second coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A circuit for handling information signals in accordance with control signals comprising: signal supplying means for supplying and receiving signals and having a terminal serving as both an input terminal and an output terminal, output means having an input terminal, first source of potential, input means receptive of the control signals, first coupling means having a conduction path coupled between said first source of potential and the input/output terminal of said signal supplying means, and having a control electrode coupled to said input means for controlling the conduction of the conduction path, said first coupling means conducting a signal to said signal supplying means in the presence of a first control signal at the input means, a second coupling means having a conduction path coupled between the input/output terminal of said signal supplying means and the input terminal of said output means, and having a control electrode coupled to said input means for controlling the conduction of the conduction path, said second coupling means conducting a signal from said signal supplying means to said output means in the presence of a second control signal at the input means, and limiting means coupled to the second coupling means for limiting the amplitude of the signal supplied to said output means from said signal supplying means via said second coupling means and for diverting a portion of the signal from said signal supplying means in accordance with the magnitude of the signal conducted by the second coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein an impedance element is connected between the input terminal of said output means and a second source of potential and said second coupling means and said limiting means jointly include first and second transistors of opposite conductivity types having respectively first and second base, emitter, and collector electrodes, the first emitter coupled to the input/output terminal of said signal supplying means, the first collector coupled to the input terminal of said output means, the first base coupled to said input means, the second emitter coupled to said second source of potential, the second collector coupled to the input/output terminal of said signal supplying means, the second base coupled to the first collector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The circuit recited in claim 2 wherein said first coupling means includes a pair of transistors of the same conductivity type as said second transistor connected in Darlington configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein said input means includes level shifting means for making said circuit operation compatable with the control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The circuit recited in claim 4 wherein said level shifting means includes a pair of semiconductor devices each having a control terminal and an output terminal and being connected in differential configuration, said control signals coupled to a control terminal of one of said pair of semiconductor devices, reference signal means connected to a control terminal of the other one of said pair of semiconductor devices, and an output terminal of one said pair of semiconductor devices coupled to the control electrodes of said first and second coupling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The circuit recited in claim 2 including unilateral conducting means connected between the output terminals of said pair of semiconductor devices to selectively control the signal at the control electrodes of said first and second coupling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein said signal supplying means includes memory means, said output means includes sense amplifier means for detecting signals from said memory means, and impedance means connected between said input terminal of said output means and a second source of potential such that said second coupling means supplies signals through said impedance means and said sense amplifier means detects a signal across said impedance means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The Circuit recited in claim 1 wherein said signal supplying means is a double-ended circuit having a pair of input/output terminals, said output means is a double-ended circuit having a pair of input terminals, a pair of said first and second coupling means are differentially arranged and individually interconnected with said signal supply means and said output means to effect common mode signal suppression at the double-ended input of said output means, and said input means are coupled to each combination of said first and second coupling means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |