Voltage control switch driver

Claim 2

A dual slope diode switch driver circuit for generating a composite voltage for producing an exponential current flow, through a diode switch, approximating the diode characteristic current flow; comprising: a first slope generator responsive to an input drive voltage for generating a first voltage having a first slope; a second slope generator responsive to said input drive voltage for generating a second voltage beginning a predetermined period after the start of said first voltage and having a second slope; a transition adjusting cicuit, responsive to said input drive voltage, for setting said second slope generator to commence to generate said second voltage at the diode breakover region; combining means, responsive to said first voltage from said first slope generator and said second voltage from said second slope generator, for forming a composite voltage having a composite slope formed from said first slope up to a predetermined region containing said point at which said second slope generator commences to generate said second voltage, and corresponding to the diode breakover region, and a compound slope formed from a combination of said first and second voltages beyond said predetermined region, for inducing a current flow in said diode approximating the characteristic diode current.

Claim 3

The dual slope diode switch driver circuit of claim 1 in which said combining means includes an output stage including a current amplifier circuit, having a high input impedance and low output impedance, responsive to said composite voltage to produce an output drive voltage for operating said diode switch.

Claim 4

The dual slope diode switch driver of claim 1 in which said transition adjusting circuit includes a constant current source for setting the bias to said second slope generator and means for varying the setting of said bias.

Claim 5

The dual slope diode switch driver circuit of claim 1 further including a level adjusting circuit for setting the voltage level of said composite voltage at said combining means, and means for varying the setting of said level.

Claim 6

The dual slope diode switch driver circuit of claim 4 in which each of said first slope generating means and said level adjusting circuit includes a transistor having similar characteristics for cancelling voltage changes at said combining means due to temperature variations.

Claim 7

The dual slope diode switch driver of claim 5 in which each of said transistors has a resistor of a predetermined value in series with its load terminals.

Claim 8

The dual slope diode switch driver of claim 1 in which each of said first and second slope generators and transition adjusting circuit includes a transistor of similar type and a resistor connected between a load electrode of the transistor in said first slope generator and control electrode of the transistor in said second slope generator and in series with a load electrode of the transistor in said transition adjusting circuit is approximately twice the resistance of a resistor connected between the other load electrode of the transistor in said transition adjusting circuit and a power input terminal for providing temperature compensation to stabilize the point at which said second voltage is introduced.

Claim 9

A dual slope diode switch driver circuit for generating a composite voltage for producing an exponential current flow, through a diode switch, approximating the diode characteristic current flow, comprising: a first slope generator responsive to an input drive voltage for generating a first voltage having a first slope; a second slope generator responsive to said input drive voltage for generating a second voltage beginning a predetermined period after the start of said first voltage and having a second slope; a transition adjusting circuit, responsive to said input drive voltage, for setting said second slope generator to commence to generate said second voltage at the diode breakover region; combining means responsive to said first voltage from said first slope generator and said second voltage from said second slope generator for forming a composite voltage having a composite slope formed from said first slope up to a predetermined region containing said point at which said second slope generator commences to generate said second voltage, and corresponding to the diode breakover region and a compound slope formed from a continuation of said first and second voltages beyond said predetermined region, for inducing a current flow in said diode approximating the characteristic diode current; and an output stage including a current amplifier circuit having a high input impedance and a low output impedance responsive to said composite voltage for producing an output drive voltage for operating a diode switch.

Claim 10

A dual slope diode switch driver circuit for generating a composite voltage for producing an exponential current flow, through a diode switch, approximating the diode characteristic current flow, comprising: a first slope generator responsive to an input drive voltage for generating a first voltage having a first slope; a second slope generator responsive to said input drive voltage for generating a second voltage beginning a predetermined period after the start of said first voltage and having a second slope; a transition adjusting circuit, responsive to said input drive voltage, for setting said second slope generator to commence to generate said second voltage at the diode breakover region; combining means responsive to said first voltage from said first slope generator and said second voltage from said second slope generator for forming a composite voltage having a composite slope formed from said first slope up to a predetermined region containing said point at which said second slope generator commences to generate said second voltage, and corresponding to the diode breakover region and a compound slope formed from a continuation of said first and second voltages beyond said predetermined region, for inducing a current flow in said diode approximating the characteristic diode current; and an output stage including a current amplifier circuit having a high input impedance and a low output impedance responsive to said composite voltage for producing an output drive voltage for operating a diode switch.