Patent US3868580A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3868580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bootstrapped amplifier
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
•
Filing: 1973-02-12
•
Granted: 1975-02-25
•
Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A bootstrapped amplifier including an a11-NPN floating current source, an output current steering circuit, and an active feedback network has the capability of providing large, fast voltage changes efficiently and accurately on capacitive loads. Therefore, while the amplifier operates with low quiescent currents, it can supply large load currents of either polarity on demand. Because all of the transistors are of one conductivity type, and few additional components are required, the circuit is especially compatible to standard integrated circuit fabrication methods.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl R Battjes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:34
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/30; H03F3/3083; H03F3/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An amplifier comprising first amplifying means serially disposed between a first power supply level and a second power supply level and including an output terminal therebetween to which a capacitive load is connected, both of said amplifying means comprising semiconductor means of a single conductivity type, wherein said first amplifying means includes at least a grounded emitter stage and negative feedback means coupled from output to input, said first amplifying means being coupled to receive input signals of opposite polarity and generate an output voltage signal in response thereto, and said second amplifying means includes at least a common collector stage being coupled by bootstrapping means connected between said output terminal and the base of said common collector stage for receiving a voltage signal which is displaced a substantially constant amount from said output voltage signal from said first amplifying means to provide drive thereto so that both of said first and second amplifying means provide a substantially continuous output waveform while being alternately responsive to said input signals, one of said amplifying means conducting current to said capacitive load in response to an input signal of one polarity and the other of said amplifying means conducting current from said capacitive load in response to an input signal of opposite polarity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An amplifier comprising first amplifying means serially disposed between a first power supply level and a second power supply level and including an output terminal therebetween to which a capacitive load is connected, both of said amplifying means comprising semiconductor means of a single conductivity type, wherein said first amplifying means includes at least a grounded emitter stage and negative feedback means coupled from output to input, said first amplifying means being coupled to receive input signals of opposite polarity and generate an output voltage signal in response thereto, and said second amplifying means includes at least a common collector stage being coupled by bootstrapping means connected between said output terminal and the base of said common collector stage for receiving a voltage signal which is displaced a substantially constant amount from said output voltage signal from said first amplifying means to provide drive thereto so that both of said first and second amplifying means provide a substantially continuous output waveform while being alternately responsive to said input signals, one of said amplifying means conducting current to said capacitive load in response to an input signal of one polarity and the other of said amplifying means conducting current from said capacitive load in response to an input signal of opposite polarity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein said negative feedback means includes a third amplifying means comprising an emitter follower stage, wherein the input of said third amplifying means is coupled to receive the output of said first amplifying means, and impedance means coupling the output of said third amplifying means to the input of said first amplifying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein said bootstrapping means includes a Zener diode for displacing said output signal to the operating point of said second amplifying means, said amplifier also including current source means disposed between said first and second amplifying means for producing a substantially constant quiescent operating current for said amplifier, and current steering means serially disposed between first and second amplifying means and having a constant voltage drop thereacross for selecting an output current path through either one of said amplifying means to said capacitive load in response to said output voltage signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein said first and second amplifying means include one or more serially disposed transistor means to thereby increase the dynamic voltage range thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
An amplifier comprising: first amplifying means for providing load current in one direction to a capacitive load in response to one polarity of an input signal; second amplifying means for providing load current in the opposite direction to said load in response to the opposite polarity of said input sigNal; bootstrapping means for elevating said second amplifying means to an operating point above said first amplifying means; current source means disposed between said first and second amplifying means for providing a substantially constant operating current therethrough; and current steering means serially disposed between said first and second amplifying means for selecting the load current path through either of said amplifying means, said current steering means receiving said constant current to maintain a constant voltage thereacross while selecting said load current path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
An amplifier comprising: first amplifying means for providing load current in one direction to a capacitive load in response to one polarity of an input signal; second amplifying means for providing load current in the opposite direction to said load in response to the opposite polarity of said input sigNal; bootstrapping means for elevating said second amplifying means to an operating point above said first amplifying means; current source means disposed between said first and second amplifying means for providing a substantially constant operating current therethrough; and current steering means serially disposed between said first and second amplifying means for selecting the load current path through either of said amplifying means, said current steering means receiving said constant current to maintain a constant voltage thereacross while selecting said load current path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The amplifier according to claim 5 wherein said first amplifying means includes at least a grounded-emitter stage and negative feedback means coupled from output to input, said first amplifying means being coupled to receive said input signals and generate and output voltage signal in response thereto, wherein said second amplifying means includes at least a common collector stage, and wherein said bootstrapping means is connected between the output of said first amplifying means and the input of said second amplifying means to couple said output signal thereacross to provide drive to said second amplifying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The amplifier according to claim 6 wherein said negative feedback means includes a third amplifying means comprising an emitter follower stage and impedance means, wherein the input of said third amplifying means is coupled to receive the output of said first amplifying means and said impedance means is coupled between the output of said third amplifying means and the input of said first amplifying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The amplifier according to claim 5 wherein all of the active devices thereof comprise semiconductor means of a single conductivity type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifier according to claim 5 wherein at least one of said first and second amplifying means is rendered conductive throughout the dynamic operating range thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The amplifier according to claim 5 wherein said first of said second amplifying means are serially disposed between a first power supply level and a second power supply level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The amplifier according to claim 10 wherein said first and second amplifying means include one or more serially disposed transistor means to provide a desired dynamic voltage range thereof.
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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |