US4103246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switchable current amplifier
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1977-09-06
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Granted: 1978-07-25
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Expires: 1997-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A switchable current amplifier comprising first and second transistors of complementary conductivity type, an input terminal connected to the emitter electrode of the first transistor, an output terminal to which the collector electrode of the second transistor connects, an inverting current amplifier having an input connection to which the emitter electrode of the second transistor connects and having an output connection to the base electrode of the first transistor. A control circuit is connected to an interconnection between the collector electrode of the first transistor and the base electrode of the second transistor for selectively diverting --in response to a control signal--collector current flow from said first transistor away from flowing as base current to the second transistor, thereby selectively disabling current amplification between the input and output terminals.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen LeRoy Limberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:09
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A switchable current amplifier comprising: first and second transistors respectively of first and second complementary conductivity types, each having base and emitter and collector electrodes; an input terminal connected to the emitter electrode of said first transistor; an output terminal to which the collector electrode of said second transistor connects; an inverting current amplifier having an input connection to the emitter electrode of said second transistor and having an output connection to the base electrode of said first transistor; a source of control signals; and means connected to an interconnection between the collector electrode of said first transistor and the base electrode of said second transistor for selectively diverting, responsive to a control signal from said source, collector current flow from said first transistor away from flowing as base current to said second transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A switchable current amplifier comprising: first and second transistors respectively of first and second complementary conductivity types, each having base and emitter and collector electrodes; an input terminal connected to the emitter electrode of said first transistor; an output terminal to which the collector electrode of said second transistor connects; an inverting current amplifier having an input connection to the emitter electrode of said second transistor and having an output connection to the base electrode of said first transistor; a source of control signals; and means connected to an interconnection between the collector electrode of said first transistor and the base electrode of said second transistor for selectively diverting, responsive to a control signal from said source, collector current flow from said first transistor away from flowing as base current to said second transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inverting current amplifier is a current mirror amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 1 including a common terminal, wherein said inverting current amplifier includes: third and fourth transistors of said second conductivity type having respective collector electrodes connected respectively to the base electrode of said first transistor and to the emitter electrode of said second transistor, having respective emitter electrodes connected to said common terminal, and having respective base electrodes to each of which the emitter electrode of said second transistor is direct-coupled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 3 wherein the collector electrode of said third transistor is connected to the base electrode of said first transistor by means of a further transistor in common-base amplifier configuration, having an emitter electrode to which the collector electrode of said third transistor connects, having a base electrode connected to the interconnection between the collector electrode of said first transistor and the base electrode of said second transistor, and having a collector electrode connected to the base electrode of said first transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 1 including a common terminal, wherein said inverting current amplifier includes: third, fourth, fifth and sixth transistors of said second conductivity type, each having base and emitter and collector electrodes, the respective emitter electrodes of said third and fourth transistors being connected to said common terminal, the emitter electrode of said fifth transistor being connected to the collector electrode of said third transistor, the emitter electrode of said sixth transistor being connected to the collector electrode of said fourth transistor and direct-coupled to the base electrodes of said third and fourth transistors, the emitter electrode of said second transistor being connected to the collector electrode of said sixth transistor and direct-coupled to the base electrodes of said fifth and sixth transistors, and the collector electrode of said fifth transistor being connected to the base electrode of said first transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 5 including: a further output terminal; a seventh transistor of said second conductivity type, having a base electrode to which the emitter electrode of said sixth transistor is direct-coupled, having an emitter electrode connected to said common terminal, and having a collector electrode; and an eighth transistor of said second conductivity type, having a base electrode to which the emitter electrode of said second transistor is direct coupled, having an emitter electrode connected to the collector electrode of said seventh transistor, and having a collector electrode connected to said further output terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 1 including a common terminal, wherein said inverting amplifier includes: third, fourth and fifth transistors of said second conductivity type, each having base and emitter and collector electrodes, the respective emitter electrodes of said third and fourth transistors being connected to said common terminal, the emitter electrode of said second transistor being direct-coupled to the base electrode of said fifth transistor, the collector electrode of said fifth transistor being connected to the base electrode of said first transistor, the emitter electrode of said fifth transistor having the collector electrode of said third transistor connected thereto and being direct-coupled to the base electrodes of said third and fourth transistors; and means connecting the collector electrode of said fourth transistor to the emitter electrode of said second transistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means connecting the collector electrode of said fourth transistor to the emitter electrode of said second transistor is a self-biased sixth transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 7 including: a further output terminal; a further transistor of said second conductivity type, having a base electrode to which the emitter electrode of said fifth transistor is direct-coupled, having an emitter electrode connected to said common terminal, and having a collector electrode; and a still further transistor of said second conductivity type, having a base electrode to which the emitter electrode of said second transistor is direct-coupled, having an emitter electrode to which the collector electrode of said further transistor is connected, and having a collector electrode connected to said further output terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A switchable current amplifier as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively diverting includes a further transistor of said second conductivity type having base and emitter electrodes between which said control signal is applied and having a collector electrode connected to the interconnection between the collector electrode of said first transistor and the base electrode of said second transistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3900750A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-24 | 1982-01-23 | 1982-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-24 | 1986-01-23 | 1986-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-24 | 1990-01-23 | 1990-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |