Patent US5689201A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5689201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Track-and-hold circuit utilizing a negative of the input signal for tracking
Assignee: Oregon State University
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Filing: 1995-08-08
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2015-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A track-and-hold circuit that utilizes the negative of the input signal to improve tracking of the input signal during the track mode. By applying the negative of the input signal to an amplifier node to which the output signal is coupled, the output signal is forced to track the input signal in magnitude and polarity. Single-ended and fully differential embodiments of the circuit are disclosed, as well as embodiments using an operational amplifier and a cascode inverter amplifier. An improved switching scheme reduces delay in the transition from the hold mode to the track mode. A sample-and-hold circuit may be constructed from a pair of the track-and-hold circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabor Charles Temes
- 👤 Yunteng Huang
- 👤 Paul Francis Ferguson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:32
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C27/00; G11C27/02; G11C27/024; G11C27/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A track-and-hold circuit switchable between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: an amplifier; means for applying a negative of the input signal to the amplifier to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal during the track mode; a storage device for storing the input signal during the track mode; and means for providing the stored input signal as the output signal during the hold mode, thereby producing an output signal that holds its value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A track-and-hold circuit switchable between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: an amplifier; means for applying a negative of the input signal to the amplifier to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal during the track mode; a storage device for storing the input signal during the track mode; and means for providing the stored input signal as the output signal during the hold mode, thereby producing an output signal that holds its value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the applying means includes an analog signal inverter for inverting the input signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the applying means includes a pair of input terminals for receiving a differential input signal that provides a positive input signal and its negative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the applying means comprises an input terminal for coupling the negative of the input signal to an inverting input node of the amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the amplifier comprises an operational amplifier configured as an inverting amplifier that produces the output signal which tracks the input signal during the track mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the amplifier comprises includes a cascode amplifier configured as an inverting amplifier that produces the output signal which tracks the input signal during the track mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the amplifier comprises an operational amplifier configured as a unity gain amplifier that produces the output signal that tracks the input signal during the track mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 wherein the storage device comprises a capacitor that charges to a value which tracks the input signal during the track node.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 1 including: a second storage device for storing the input signal during the hold mode; and a switch for providing the stored input signal as the output signal at the beginning of the track mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A track-and-hold circuit switchable between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: an amplifier having at least one input node and at least one output node; first and second signal paths for combining the input signal and its negative at an input node of the amplifier during the track mode; a third signal path connecting the input node to an output node of the amplifier during the track mode to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal; a storage device for storing the input signal during the track mode; and a fourth signal path for coupling the storage device to the output node of the amplifier during the hold mode to provide the stored input signal as the output signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A track-and-hold circuit switchable between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: an amplifier having at least one input node and at least one output node; first and second signal paths for combining the input signal and its negative at an input node of the amplifier during the track mode; a third signal path connecting the input node to an output node of the amplifier during the track mode to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal; a storage device for storing the input signal during the track mode; and a fourth signal path for coupling the storage device to the output node of the amplifier during the hold mode to provide the stored input signal as the output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The track and hold circuit of claim 10 including: a second storage device for storing the input signal during the hold mode; and a switch for coupling the second storage device to the output node of the amplifier to provide the stored input signal as the output signal at the beginning of the track mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 10 including means in the first, second and third signal paths for configuring the amplifier as a non-inverting amplifier that produces the output signal which tracks the input signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 10 wherein the first and second signal paths each include an input terminal for receiving a part of a differential signal that provides a positive input signal and its negative.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The track-and-hold circuit of claim 10 wherein the second signal path includes an analog signal inverter for inverting the input signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
A track-and-hold circuit switchable between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: an amplifier have at least one input node and at least one output node; a first signal path for applying a negative of the input signal to an input node of the amplifier; a second signal path for connecting the input node to an output node of the amplifier during the track mode to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal; a storage device for storing the input signal during the track mode; and another signal path for coupling the storage device to the output node of the amplifier during the hold mode to provide the stored input signal as the output signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
137 words
A track-and-hold circuit switchable between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: an amplifier have at least one input node and at least one output node; a first signal path for applying a negative of the input signal to an input node of the amplifier; a second signal path for connecting the input node to an output node of the amplifier during the track mode to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal; a storage device for storing the input signal during the track mode; and another signal path for coupling the storage device to the output node of the amplifier during the hold mode to provide the stored input signal as the output signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The track and hold circuit of claim 15 including: a second storage device for storing the input signal during the hold mode; and a switch for coupling the storage device to the output node of the amplifier to provide the stored input signal as the output signal at the beginning of the track mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a track-and-hold circuit that includes an amplifier, a method for switching between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: applying a negative of the signal to the amplifier to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal during the track mode; storing the input signal during the track mode; and providing the stored input signal as the output signal during the hold mode, thereby producing an output signal that holds its value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a track-and-hold circuit that includes an amplifier, a method for switching between a track mode of operation wherein an output signal tracks an input signal and a hold mode of operation wherein the output signal holds its value, comprising: applying a negative of the signal to the amplifier to produce an output signal that tracks the input signal during the track mode; storing the input signal during the track mode; and providing the stored input signal as the output signal during the hold mode, thereby producing an output signal that holds its value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 17 including: storing the input signal during the hold mode; and providing the stored input signal as the output signal at the beginning of the track mode to reduce delay in transition from the hold mode to the track mode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-17 | 2001-05-19 | 2001-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | 2005-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-17 | 2009-05-19 | 2009-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |