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US4370632A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multiple function operational amplifier circuit

Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-08
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 2001-05-08
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Abstract

Abstract An operational amplifier capable of selectively performing a variety of circuit functions is provided. A single operational amplifier utilizes switched capacitors for sampling and holding an input signal, for establishing a low frequency pole, for applying the sample to an output capacitance to charge the capacitance and for comparing the input signal with a reference. The multi-function circuit provides a large savings in circuit area and permits versatility of circuit applications. One embodiment of the invention is to utilize a companding DAC having a capacitor array which may be used as the output capacitance of the operational amplifier circuit. The DAC provided utilizes an R ladder DAC coupled directly to a C DAC and has a switching structure that is simpler than comparable prior art circuits. The DAC is asynchronous and has programmable A-and Mu-255 law PCM conversion capability. Coupled directly to the C DAC is an operational amplifier receive filter circuit which utilizes the C DAC as an input capacitor thereby eliminating the need for a buffer amplifier and allowing the DAC to be used for both analog to digital and digital to analog conversion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert N. Allgood
  • 👤 Stephen H. Kelley
  • 👤 Richard W. Ulmer
  • 👤 Henry Wurzburg

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 21:54
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/30; H03F1/303; H03H; H03H19/00; H03H19/004

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
A circuit for providing sample and hold and comparator functions with only one operational amplifier and inherently achieving auto-zeroing comprising: an operational amplifier having inverting and non-inverting inputs and an output; input capacitance means having a first plate coupled to an input terminal, and a second plate; first switching means for selectively connecting the second plate of the input capacitance means to the inverting input of the operational amplifier; feedback capacitance means having a first plate connected to the input capacitance means, and a second plate; second switching means for selectively connecting the output of the operational amplifier to the second plate of the feedback capacitance means; and third switching means for selectively connecting the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier to a reference voltage whereby a sample of an input signal applied to the input terminal is applied to the feedback capacitance means and held thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 147 words
A circuit for providing sample and hold and comparator functions with only one operational amplifier and inherently achieving auto-zeroing comprising: an operational amplifier having inverting and non-inverting inputs and an output; input capacitance means having a first plate coupled to an input terminal, and a second plate; first switching means for selectively connecting the second plate of the input capacitance means to the inverting input of the operational amplifier; feedback capacitance means having a first plate connected to the input capacitance means, and a second plate; second switching means for selectively connecting the output of the operational amplifier to the second plate of the feedback capacitance means; and third switching means for selectively connecting the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier to a reference voltage whereby a sample of an input signal applied to the input terminal is applied to the feedback capacitance means and held thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 192 words
A circuit for sampling and holding an input signal comprising: an operational amplifier having inverting and non-inverting inputs and an output; input capacitance means having a first plate coupled to an input terminal, and a second plate; first switching means for selectively connecting the second plate of the input capacitance means to the inverting input of the operational amplifier; feedback capacitance means having a first plate connected to the input capacitance means, and a second plate; second switching means for selectively connecting the output of the operational amplifier to the second plate of the feedback capacitance means; third switching means for selectively connecting the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier to a reference voltage whereby a sample of an input signal applied to the input terminal is applied to the feedback capacitance means and held thereon; switched capacitance means comprising capacitance means having a first plate connected to the reference voltage and a second plate; and fourth and fifth switching means which alternately connect the second plate of the capacitance means to the first and second plates of the feedback capacitance means, respectively, for effecting a low frequency pole of the circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 192 words
A circuit for sampling and holding an input signal comprising: an operational amplifier having inverting and non-inverting inputs and an output; input capacitance means having a first plate coupled to an input terminal, and a second plate; first switching means for selectively connecting the second plate of the input capacitance means to the inverting input of the operational amplifier; feedback capacitance means having a first plate connected to the input capacitance means, and a second plate; second switching means for selectively connecting the output of the operational amplifier to the second plate of the feedback capacitance means; third switching means for selectively connecting the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier to a reference voltage whereby a sample of an input signal applied to the input terminal is applied to the feedback capacitance means and held thereon; switched capacitance means comprising capacitance means having a first plate connected to the reference voltage and a second plate; and fourth and fifth switching means which alternately connect the second plate of the capacitance means to the first and second plates of the feedback capacitance means, respectively, for effecting a low frequency pole of the circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 71 words
The circuit of claim 2 further comprising: output capacitance means having a first plate and a second plate; sixth switching means for selectively connecting the output of the operational amplifier to the first plate of the output capacitance means; and seventh switching means for selectively connecting the second plate of the output capacitance means to the reference voltage, whereby said sample is applied to the output capacitance means and held thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 88 words
The circuit of claim 3 further comprising: eighth switching means for selectively connecting the second plate of the output capacitance means to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier; ninth switching means selectively connecting the first plate of the output capacitance means to the reference voltage; and tenth switching means for selectively connecting the inverting input of the operational amplifier to the reference voltage, whereby the operational amplifier operates as a comparator to provide an output signal which is proportional to the sample on the output capacitance means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 59 words
The method of using the circuit of claim 4 to sample and hold an input sample signal comprising the steps of: disabling all switching means; enabling the first, second and third switching means to apply a sample at the input terminal; and disabling either the first or second switching means to hold the sample on the feedback capacitance means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 58 words
The method of using the circuit of claim 4 as a high pass filter comprising the steps of: disabling all switching means; enabling the first, second and third switching means; and alternately enabling the fourth and fifth switching means wherein the low frequency pole of the circuit is determined, in part, by the value of the switched capacitance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 5 for transferring the sample from the feedback capacitance means to the output capacitance means, comprising the additional steps of: disabling all switching means; and enabling the first, second, third, sixth and seventh switching means to transfer the charge held on the feedback capacitance means to the output capacitance means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of claim 7 for using the operational amplifier as a comparator, comprising the additional steps of: disabling all switching means; and enabling the eighth, ninth and tenth switching means to provide an output signal which is proportional to the sample on the output capacitance means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4151429A Cited
US4315227A Cited
US4331894A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-01-24 1986-07-26 1987-01-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-01-24 1990-07-26 1991-01-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-01-24 1994-07-26 1995-01-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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