Amplifier circuit having integral means for detecting and preventing non-linear operation
US4006428A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 1976 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F1/52
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An amplifier circuit including provision for detecting non-linear circuit operation caused by the application of input signals that exceed either the amplifier dynamic range or the amplifier slewing capability is disclosed. The amplifier circuit includes the cascaded combination of a voltage amplifier stage, a voltage-to-current converter stage, a current limiter stage and an output stage. A first signal, obtained at the junction between a capacitor and resistor that are series connected between the signal common or ground potential and the input terminal to the output stage, is compared with a second signal obtained at the input terminal of the voltage to current converter stage. When the amplifier circuit is operating within the linear region these two signals are of equal magnitude or exhibit some other known relationship to one another. If, however, the amplifier operation is non-linear, due to either the application of an input signal of an amplitude that exceeds the linear dynamic range of the amplifier or due to an applied input signal having a time rate of change that exceeds the amplifier slew rate capability, a detectable increase in the voltage difference between the fir…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.