US4484147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bootstrapped shunt feedback amplifier
Assignee: St Clair Intellectual Property Consultants Inc
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Filing: 1983-03-31
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Granted: 1984-11-20
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Expires: 2003-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An improved bootstrapped shunt feedback amplifier is provided in which a minimum number of transistors are arranged to provide a higher slew rate of output voltage at lower power, while minimizing distortion and thus providing a more precise signal replication. Features include the use of three-terminal composite transistors to increase bandwidth and bootstrapping to improve amplifier response while reducing voltage stress on the active devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J. Metz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:09
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/50; H03F1/00; H03F1/42; H03F1/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A shunt feedback amplifier, comprising: a control stage comprising in combination a common-emitter amplifier and a common-base amplifier connected in cascode, the base of said common-emitter amplifier connectable to an input signal source and the collector of said common-base amplifier coupled to an output terminal; a feedback path connected from said output terminal to the base of said common-emitter amplifier; an emitter-follower stage the base of which is coupled to the collector of said common-base amplifier and the emitter of which is coupled to said output terminal; bias means for controlling said emitter follower stage in such a manner that said emitter follower stage provides a current conduction path to develop an output signal in response to an input signal of a first polarity while maintaining a voltage difference equal to zero volts between the collector of said common-base amplifier and the emitter of said emitter follower stage, said bias means further providing a voltage difference between said collector of said common-base amplifier and the emitter of said emitter follower stage sufficient to reverse bias said emitter follower stage in response to an input signal of a second polarity; and bootstrap means for maintaining a substantially constant collector-to-emitter voltage for said emitter follower stage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A shunt feedback amplifier, comprising: a control stage comprising in combination a common-emitter amplifier and a common-base amplifier connected in cascode, the base of said common-emitter amplifier connectable to an input signal source and the collector of said common-base amplifier coupled to an output terminal; a feedback path connected from said output terminal to the base of said common-emitter amplifier; an emitter-follower stage the base of which is coupled to the collector of said common-base amplifier and the emitter of which is coupled to said output terminal; bias means for controlling said emitter follower stage in such a manner that said emitter follower stage provides a current conduction path to develop an output signal in response to an input signal of a first polarity while maintaining a voltage difference equal to zero volts between the collector of said common-base amplifier and the emitter of said emitter follower stage, said bias means further providing a voltage difference between said collector of said common-base amplifier and the emitter of said emitter follower stage sufficient to reverse bias said emitter follower stage in response to an input signal of a second polarity; and bootstrap means for maintaining a substantially constant collector-to-emitter voltage for said emitter follower stage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A shunt feedback amplifier in accordance with claim 1 wherein said common-emitter amplifier and said emitter follower stage comprise three-terminal composite transistor devices, each consisting of first, second, and third transistors, wherein the base of said first transistor provides a first terminal, the collectors of said first and second transistors are connected together to provide a second terminal, the emitters of said second and third transistors are connected together to provide a third termnal, and the emitter of said first transistor, the base of said second transistor, and the base and collector of said third transistor are connected together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A shunt feedback amplifier in accordance with claim 1 further including means for providing at least a portion of said output signal to the base of said common-base amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A shunt feedback amplifier in accordance with claim 3 wherein said signal providing means comprises an emitter follower transistor the base of which is coupled to receive a predetermined proportion of voltage from said feedback path, and the emitter of which is coupled to the base of said common-base amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A shunt feedback amplifier in accordance with claim 4 wherein said emitter of said emitter-follower transistor is connected through a resistor to a predetermined bias voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB817717A
Cited
US3223938A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-20 | 1988-05-21 | 1988-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-20 | 1992-05-21 | 1992-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-20 | 1996-05-21 | 1996-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |