Patent US3908171A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Amplifier circuit suitable for amplifying differential input signals and providing a single ended output signal
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract The amplifier circuit, which is suitable for manufacture in monolithic form, converts a differential driving signal having an arbitrary D.C. level into a single-ended output signal having a predetermined D.C. level. Included within the amplifier circuit are first and second stages, each having an input terminal coupled to one of the output terminals of a differential driving source through a zener diode which prevents the differential driving source from being saturated. The output terminal of the first stage is coupled to the input terminal of the second stage. Currents having predetermined relationships to each other are coupled to the second stage to prevent non-linear operation in response to input signals having small magnitudes. A reference voltage supply is coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier for establishing the predetermined D.C. output level.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton E Wilcox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:03
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K5/00; H03K5/01; H03K5/02; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; H04N9/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
An amplifier circuit suitable for linearly amplifying first and second differential input signals respectively applied to first and second input terminals thereof by a differential driving source and providing a single-ended output signal at an output terminal thereof, the amplifier circuit including in combination: first stage means having an input terminal for receiving the first differential signal and an output terminal, said first stage means inverting said first differential signal; first circuit means coupling said input terminal of said first stage means to the first input terminal of the amplifier circuit; first zener diode means included in said first circuit means for preventing the differential driving source from becoming saturated, said first zener diode means having one electrode coupled to the first input terminal of the amplifier circuit and another electrode coupled to said input terminal of said first stage means so that the first differential input signal flows therethrough; bias means coupled to said first zener diode means; second stage means having an input terminal connected to said output terminal of said first stage means, said second stage means having an output terminal which is coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit; second circuit means coupling the second input terminal of the amplifier circuit to said input terminal of said second stage means; second zener diode means included in said second circuit means for preventing the differential driving source from becoming saturated, said second zener diode means having one electrode coupled to the second input terminal of the amplifier circuit and another electrode coupled to said input terminal of said second stage means so that the second differential signal flows therethrough; and bias means coupled to said second zener diode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
An amplifier circuit suitable for linearly amplifying first and second differential input signals respectively applied to first and second input terminals thereof by a differential driving source and providing a single-ended output signal at an output terminal thereof, the amplifier circuit including in combination: first stage means having an input terminal for receiving the first differential signal and an output terminal, said first stage means inverting said first differential signal; first circuit means coupling said input terminal of said first stage means to the first input terminal of the amplifier circuit; first zener diode means included in said first circuit means for preventing the differential driving source from becoming saturated, said first zener diode means having one electrode coupled to the first input terminal of the amplifier circuit and another electrode coupled to said input terminal of said first stage means so that the first differential input signal flows therethrough; bias means coupled to said first zener diode means; second stage means having an input terminal connected to said output terminal of said first stage means, said second stage means having an output terminal which is coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit; second circuit means coupling the second input terminal of the amplifier circuit to said input terminal of said second stage means; second zener diode means included in said second circuit means for preventing the differential driving source from becoming saturated, said second zener diode means having one electrode coupled to the second input terminal of the amplifier circuit and another electrode coupled to said input terminal of said second stage means so that the second differential signal flows therethrough; and bias means coupled to said second zener diode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein said first stage means includes: power supply conductor means providing a ground potential, electron control means having a control electrode connected to said first stage input terminal, a first electrode, and a second electrode connected to said first stage output terminal; resistive means coupling said first electrode of said first electron control means to said power supply conductor means; diode means having a first electrode connected to said control electrode of said electron control means and a second electrode; and another resistive means coupling said second electrode of said diode means to said power supply conductor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 2 wherein said electron control means includes a NPN transistor having a base electrode forming said control electrode, an emitter electrode forming said first electrode, and a collector electrode forming said second electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein said second stage means includes in combination: power supply conductor means for providing a ground potential; electron control means having a control electrode connected to said second stage input terminal, a first electrode, and a second electrode connected to said second stage output terminal; resistive means coupling said first electrode of said electron control means to said power supply conductor; diode means having a first electrode connected to said control electrode of said electron control means and a second electrode; and another resistive means coupling said second electrode of said diode means to said power supply conductor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 4 wherein said electron control means includes a NPN transistor having a base electrode forming said control electrode, an emitter electrode forming said first electrode and a collector electrode forming said second electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 1 further including an output biaS supply means providing an output voltage of a fixed predetermined magnitude to said output terminal of said second stage means to prevent output signal distortion in response to low level input signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
275 words
An amplifier circuit which is suitable for manufacture in monolithic integrated circuit form and which linearly converts a differential driving signal into a single-ended output signal, said amplifier circuit being further suited to operate in cooperation with a differential demodulator which provides a first differential input signal to a first amplifier input terminal which has a magnitude that decreases in response to modulation and a second differential input signal to a second amplifier input terminal which has a magnitude which increases in response to modulation, said amplifier circuit including in combination: first zener diode means for preventing the differential demodulator from becoming saturated, said first zener diode means having a first electrode connected to said first amplifier input terminal and a second electrode; current source means coupled to said first electrode of said first zener diode means; first stage means including a first electron control device having a control electrode connected to said second electrode of said first zener diode means, a first electrode and a second electrode; second zener diode means for preventing the differential demodulator from becoming saturated, said second zener diode means having a first electrode connected to said second amplifier input terminal and a second electrode; current source means coupled to said first electrode of said second zener diode means; second stage means including a second electron control device having a control electrode connected to said second electrode of said second zener diode means and to said second electrode of said first electron control means, a first electrode and a second electrode; and first circuit means connecting said second electrode of said second electron control device to the amplifier output terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
275 words
An amplifier circuit which is suitable for manufacture in monolithic integrated circuit form and which linearly converts a differential driving signal into a single-ended output signal, said amplifier circuit being further suited to operate in cooperation with a differential demodulator which provides a first differential input signal to a first amplifier input terminal which has a magnitude that decreases in response to modulation and a second differential input signal to a second amplifier input terminal which has a magnitude which increases in response to modulation, said amplifier circuit including in combination: first zener diode means for preventing the differential demodulator from becoming saturated, said first zener diode means having a first electrode connected to said first amplifier input terminal and a second electrode; current source means coupled to said first electrode of said first zener diode means; first stage means including a first electron control device having a control electrode connected to said second electrode of said first zener diode means, a first electrode and a second electrode; second zener diode means for preventing the differential demodulator from becoming saturated, said second zener diode means having a first electrode connected to said second amplifier input terminal and a second electrode; current source means coupled to said first electrode of said second zener diode means; second stage means including a second electron control device having a control electrode connected to said second electrode of said second zener diode means and to said second electrode of said first electron control means, a first electrode and a second electrode; and first circuit means connecting said second electrode of said second electron control device to the amplifier output terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 7 further including in combination: first power supply conductor means for providing a ground potential; first bias network means including a first diode means and a first relative means connected in series between said control electrode of said first electron control device and said first power supply conductor means; second resistive means connected between said first electrode of said first electron control device and said first power supply conductor; and said first resistive means and said second resistive means having equal values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
160 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 7 further including in combination: first power supply conductor means for providing a ground potential; second bias network means including second diode means and third resistive means connected in series between said control electrode of said second electron control device and said first power supply conductor means; first current supply means having an output terminal connected to said control electrode of said second electron control device and providing a first current having a predetermined magnitude; second current supply means having an output terminal connected to said second electrode of said second electron control device providing a second current having a magnitude that is a predetermined ratio to said magnitude of said first current; and fourth resistive means connected from said first electrode of said second electron control device to said first power supply conductor means, said third resistive means having a value which is said predetermined ratio to the value of said fourth resistive means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 7 wherein said first electron control device includes an NPN transistor and said second electron control means includes an NPN transistor.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |