Amplifier with current gain inversely proportional to transistor hfe

Claim 2

In combination: a first bipolar transistor of a first conductivity type, said first transistor having base and emitter and collector electrodes; second and third bipolar transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each of said second and third transistors having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting current gain similar to that of the other; a collector-to-base feedback connection of said second transistor to condition it to accept input current applied between its collector and emitter electrodes, said feedback connection including: a fifth, potential-follower transistor having an input electrode to which the collector electrode of said second transistor is connected and having an output electrode; and a common-base amplifier connection of said first transistor including a connection of the output electrode of said fifth transistor to the emitter electrode of said first transistor and including a connection of the collector electrode of said first transistor to the base electrode of said second transistor; and a base-to-base connection of said first and said third transistors, whereby said third transistor is conditioned for a collector current flow provided as an output current.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fifth transistor is a bipolar transistor connected in an emitter-follower configuration, with a base electrode corresponding to said input electrode and an emitter electrode corresponding to said output electrode.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fifth transistor is a field-effect transistor connected in a source-follower configuration with a gate electrode corresponding to said input electrode and with a source electrode corresponding to said output electrode.

Claim 5

A circuit for supplying quiescent base bias current to a first bipolar transistor as set forth in claim 3 wherein said third and said fourth transistors are each a composite transistor comprising the Darlington cascade connection of a plurality of compound transistors.

Claim 6

An amplifier with a current gain substantially inversely proportion to h fe .sub.° the common-emitter amplifier forward current gain of a transistor of a first conductivity type operated in conjunction therewith, which transistor has a base electrode, said amplifier comprising: input, output and common terminals, said input and common terminals for receiving an input current applied therebetween, said current gain inversely proportional to transistor h fe being between said input and output terminals; a first transistor of a first conductivity type, said first transistor having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting a current gain of h fe between its base and collector electrodes to which said current gain of said amplifier is to be substantially inversely proportioned; second and third transistors of a second conductivity type, complementary to said first conductivity type, each having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting similar current gains to each other, said output terminal being at the collector electrode of said third transistor; first current conductive means connecting said input terminal to the emitter electrode of said first transistor; second current conductive means connecting the collector electrode of said first transistor to the base electrode of said second transistor; third current conductive means connecting the emitter electrode of said second transistor to said common terminal; fourth current conductive means connecting the collector electrode of said second transistor to said input terminal; fifth current conductive means connecting the base electrodes of said first and said third transistors; sixth current conductive means connecting the emitter electrode of said third transistor to said common terminal; and means responsive to the collector current of said third transistor for continually applying a like-valued quiescent base current to said transistor operated in conjunction with the amplifier.

Claim 7

An amplifier with a current gain substantially inversely proportion to h fe .sub.° the common-emitter amplifier forward current gain of a transistor of a first conductivity type operated in conjunction therewith, which transistor has a base electrode, said amplifier comprising: input, output and common terminals, said input and common terminals for receiving an input current applied therebetween, said current gain inversely proportional to transistor h fe being between said input and output terminals; a first transistor of a first conductivity type, said first transistor having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting a current gain of h fe between its base and collector electrodes to which said current gain of said amplifier is to be substantially inversely proportioned; second and third transistors of a second conductivity type, complementary to said first conductivity type, each having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting similar current gains to each other, said output terminal being at the collector electrode of said third transistor; first current conductive means connecting said input terminal to the emitter electrode of said first transistor; second current conductive means connecting the collector electrode of said first transistor to the base electrode of said second transistor; third current conductive means connecting the emitter electrode of said second transistor to said common terminal; fourth current conductive means connecting the collector electrode of said second transistor to said input terminal; fifth current conductive means connecting the base electrodes of said first and said third transistors; sixth current conductive means connecting the emitter electrode of said third transistor to said common terminal; and means responsive to the collector current of said third transistor for continually applying a like-valued quiescent base current to said transistor operated in conjunction with the amplifier.

Claim 8

An amplifier as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means responsive to the collector current of said third transistor for continually applying a like-valued quiescent base current to said transistor operated in conjunction with the amplifier consists of a direct connection of the collector electrode of said third transistor to the base electrode of said transistor operated in conjunction with the amplifier.

Claim 9

A circuit for supplying quiescent base bias current to a first bipolar transistor of a first conductivity type, said first bipolar transistor having a base electrode, which circuit comprises: a second bipolar transistor of said first conductivity type, said second transistor having base and emitter and collector electrodes; third and fourth bipolar transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each of said third and said fourth transistors having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting current gain similar to that of the other; a collector-to-base feedback connection of said third transistor to condition it to accept input current applied between its collector and emitter electrodes, said feedback connection including a common-base amplifier connection of said second transistor with its emitter electrode having the collector electrode of said third transistor connected thereto and with its collector electrode being connected to the base electrode of said third transistor; and a base-to-base connection of said second and said fourth transistors; and means for applying the collector current flowing through the collector electrode of said fourth transistor to the base electrode of said first bipolar transistor as the entire said quiescent base bias current.

Claim 10

A circuit for supplying quiescent base bias current to a first bipolar transistor of a first conductivity type, said first bipolar transistor having a base electrode, which circuit comprises: a second bipolar transistor of said first conductivity type, said second transistor having base and emitter and collector electrodes; third and fourth bipolar transistors of a second conductivity type complementary to said first conductivity type, each of said third and said fourth transistors having base and emitter and collector electrodes and exhibiting current gain similar to that of the other; a collector-to-base feedback connection of said third transistor to condition it to accept input current applied between its collector and emitter electrodes, said feedback connection including a common-base amplifier connection of said second transistor with its emitter electrode having the collector electrode of said third transistor connected thereto and with its collector electrode being connected to the base electrode of said third transistor; and a base-to-base connection of said second and said fourth transistors; and means for applying the collector current flowing through the collector electrode of said fourth transistor to the base electrode of said first bipolar transistor as the entire said quiescent base bias current.