Latching type comparator
US4506171A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1982 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K3/2885
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved latching-type comparator operative in a selected one of two exclusive states is disclosed. In one state, the operational state, a gain stage is rendered operative to amplify at least one intermediate current signal generated by an input stage in response to the comparison of a pair of input signals. At least one drive current signal is generated by the gain stage in response to the comparison and is buffered by a corresponding buffer stage to render both an output signal and a signal representative thereof. In the other state, a latch stage is rendered operative unresponsive to the comparison and governed by the signal representative of the output signal to sustain the drive current signal in a state to latch the output signal. A switching stage governed by at least one latch signal effects the selection between the gain and latch stages by conducting operating current exclusively from the selected stage to a constant current stage. An independent second constant current stage provides current for the input stage to maintain its operation continuously independent of the selected date of the comparator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.