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US5384530A
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US
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Bootstrap voltage reference circuit utilizing an N-type negative resistance device
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1992-08-06
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2012-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A bootstrap voltage reference circuit having an amplifier with a positive feedback network including a non-linear device which operates as a current source. The non-linear device may be an n-type negative resistance device such as a tunnel diode. The circuit is operable for generating a predetermined reference voltage as the difference between the signal applied to the positive input and a signal generated by the negative feedback network and applied to the negative input approaches zero.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall J. Pflueger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:44
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/56; G05F1/575; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A bootstrap voltage reference circuit comprising: an amplifying comparator device having first and second inputs and an output, said amplifying comparator device operable for generating a predetermined reference voltage as the difference between a first signal applied to said first input and a second signal applied to said second input approaches zero; a first feedback network coupled between said output and said first input of said amplifying comparator device, said first feedback network including a non-linear device which operates as a current source at an operating point in the region of a local maximum in its current-voltage characteristic curve, said non-linear device comprising an n-type negative resistance device, said first feedback network generating said first signal applied to said first input; and a second feedback network coupled between said output and said second input of said amplifying comparator device, said second feedback network generating said second signal applied to said second input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A bootstrap voltage reference circuit comprising: an amplifying comparator device having first and second inputs and an output, said amplifying comparator device operable for generating a predetermined reference voltage as the difference between a first signal applied to said first input and a second signal applied to said second input approaches zero; a first feedback network coupled between said output and said first input of said amplifying comparator device, said first feedback network including a non-linear device which operates as a current source at an operating point in the region of a local maximum in its current-voltage characteristic curve, said non-linear device comprising an n-type negative resistance device, said first feedback network generating said first signal applied to said first input; and a second feedback network coupled between said output and said second input of said amplifying comparator device, said second feedback network generating said second signal applied to said second input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said predetermined voltage is generated at said output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said predetermined voltage is generated at said first input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said amplifying comparator device comprises an operational amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit of claim 4, wherein said first and second inputs correspond to a positive input and a negative input, respectively, associated with said operational amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said non-linear device associated with said first feedback network operates as a current source in accordance with the equation dI/dV=0 over at least one point on a current-voltage characteristic curve associated with said non-linear device where said at least one point does not occur at V substantially equal to zero.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said n-type negative resistance device comprises a tunnel diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said n-type negative resistance device comprises a resonant tunnel diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said non-linear device comprises a back diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said second feedback network comprises a device which operates as a voltage source over at least one point on a current-voltage characteristic curve associated with said device where said at least one point does not occur at V equal to zero.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit of claim 10, wherein said device comprises a second non-linear device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 11, wherein said second non-linear device comprises an avalanche diode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit of claim 11, wherein said second non-linear device comprises an s-type negative resistance device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit of claim 13, wherein said s-type negative resistance device comprises a metal-insulated-semiconductor (MIS) switch diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 10, wherein said device comprises a linear device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 15, wherein said linear device comprises at least one resistor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a matching network coupled to said non-linear device of said first feedback network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit of claim 17, wherein said matching network comprises a two-port network coupled between said non-linear device, and said first input and said output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 17, wherein said matching network comprises a linear time invariant network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit of claim 19, wherein said matching network comprises at least one resistive shunt and at least one capacitive shunt.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 19, wherein said matching network comprises a series resistor-capacitor shunt.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
145 words
A bootstrap voltage reference circuit comprising: an operational amplifier having positive and negative inputs and an output, said amplifier operable for generating a predetermined reference voltage as the difference between a first signal applied to said positive input and a second signal applied to said negative input approaches zero; a positive feedback network coupled between said output and said positive input of said amplifier, said positive feedback network including a non-linear device which operates as a current source at an operating point in the region of a local maximum in its current-voltage characteristic curve, said non-linear device comprising an n-type negative resistance device, said positive feedback network generating said first signal applied to said positive input; and a negative feedback network coupled between said output and said negative input of said amplifier, said negative feedback network generating said second signal applied to said negative input.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
145 words
A bootstrap voltage reference circuit comprising: an operational amplifier having positive and negative inputs and an output, said amplifier operable for generating a predetermined reference voltage as the difference between a first signal applied to said positive input and a second signal applied to said negative input approaches zero; a positive feedback network coupled between said output and said positive input of said amplifier, said positive feedback network including a non-linear device which operates as a current source at an operating point in the region of a local maximum in its current-voltage characteristic curve, said non-linear device comprising an n-type negative resistance device, said positive feedback network generating said first signal applied to said positive input; and a negative feedback network coupled between said output and said negative input of said amplifier, said negative feedback network generating said second signal applied to said negative input.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 22, wherein said predetermined voltage is generated at said output.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 22, wherein said predetermined voltage is generated at said first input.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The circuit of claim 22, wherein said non-linear device associated with said positive feedback network operates as a current source in accordance with the equation dI/dV=0 over at least one point on a current-voltage characteristic curve associated with said non-linear device where said at least one point does not occur at V substantially equal to zero.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 22, wherein said n-type negative resistance device comprises a tunnel diode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit of claim 23, wherein said n-type negative resistance device comprises a resonant tunnel diode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit of claim 22, wherein said non-linear device comprises a back diode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The circuit of claim 22, wherein said negative feedback network comprises a device which operates as a voltage source over at least one point on a current-voltage characteristic curve associated with said device where said at least one point does not occur at V substantially equal to zero.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit of claim 29, wherein said device comprises a second non-linear device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 30, wherein said second non-linear device comprises an avalanche diode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit of claim 30, wherein said second non-linear device comprises an s-type negative resistance device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit of claim 32, wherein said s-type negative resistance device comprises a metal-insulated-semiconductor (MIS) switch diode.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 29, wherein said device comprises a linear device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 34, wherein said linear device comprises at least one resistor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit of claim 22 further comprising a matching network coupled to said non-linear device of said positive feedback network.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit of claim 36, wherein said matching network comprises a two-port network coupled between said non-linear device, and said positive input and said output.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 36, wherein said matching network comprises a linear time invariant network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit of claim 38, wherein said matching network comprises at least one resistive shunt and at least one capacitive shunt.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 38, wherein said matching network comprises a series resistor-capacitor shunt.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |