Patent · US Expired

Rail splitting virtual ground generator for single supply systems

US5291121A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
18References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 1992
Grant dateMar 1, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S323/907
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a circuit physically realizing a virtual ground function producing a virtual ground voltage halfway between the supply and common voltages and having improved accuracy and stability is described. A stable bias current source is coupled to a precision resistor voltage divider network, which is used as a voltage reference generator to produce a virtual ground voltage of a precise value. This reference voltage is coupled to an operational amplifier configured in a unity gain configuration. The circuit thus created offers numerous advantages over the virtual ground circuits in use in the prior art. An integrated circuit implementing this circuit is described, and alternative packaging embodiments are disclosed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.