Patent US4883979A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4883979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Darlington BiCMOS driver circuit
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1988-11-14
•
Granted: 1989-11-28
•
Expires: 2008-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A driver circuit is provided which offers decreased input loading, increased output loading, and a high voltage output level corresponding to a logic-1. These results are achieved through the use of pull-up transistors and capacitive and resitive circuitry which allow bootstrapped voltages.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiep V. Tran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:39
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/01; H03K19/013; H03K19/0133; H03K19/0136; H03K19/02; H03K19/08; H03K19/094; H03K19/0944; H03K19/09448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A BiCMOS driver circuit comprising: a first CMOS inverter; a first bipolar transistor connected to the output of said first CMOS inverter; a second bipolar transistor connected to the base of said first bipolar transistor; a second MOS inverter connected to the base of said second bipolar transistor; voltage pull-down circuitry connected to the output of said first bipolar transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A BiCMOS driver circuit comprising: a first CMOS inverter; a first bipolar transistor connected to the output of said first CMOS inverter; a second bipolar transistor connected to the base of said first bipolar transistor; a second MOS inverter connected to the base of said second bipolar transistor; voltage pull-down circuitry connected to the output of said first bipolar transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The BiCMOS driver circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein the voltage pull-down circuitry comprises a bipolar transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The BiCMOS driver circuit as recited in claim 1 which further comprises a switch connected to said pull-down circuit which in operation discharges, at selected intervals, parasitic capacitors associated with said pull-down circuitry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The BiCMOS driver circuit as recited in claim 1 which further comprises a drive transistor connected to and between said first CMOS inverter and said pull-down circuitry, said drive transistor being operative to control said pull-down circuitry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The BiCMOS driver circuit as recited in claim 3 which further includes a first capacitor coupled to the base of said first bipolar transistor and said switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The BiCMOS driver circuit as recited in claim 5 which further includes a second capacitor connected to said switch and said first capacitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The BiCMOS driver circuit as recited in claim 5 which further includes two series connected inverters coupled to said switch and to said first capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
An improved driver circuit of the type including a first inverter connected to a first bipolar pull-up transistor including a parasitic capacitance between the base and emitter of the latter, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting a second bipolar pull-up transistor to said first bipolar transistor; and providing a resistance path within said first inverter capable of permitting said parasistic capacitor to boot said base of said first bipolar pull-up transistor above the driver circuit supply voltage so as to raise the emitter voltage of said first bipolar pull-up transistor to substantially the level of the supply voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
An improved driver circuit of the type including a first inverter connected to a first bipolar pull-up transistor including a parasitic capacitance between the base and emitter of the latter, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting a second bipolar pull-up transistor to said first bipolar transistor; and providing a resistance path within said first inverter capable of permitting said parasistic capacitor to boot said base of said first bipolar pull-up transistor above the driver circuit supply voltage so as to raise the emitter voltage of said first bipolar pull-up transistor to substantially the level of the supply voltage.
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) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |