Active clamp circuit scheme for CMOS devices
US5357156A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03G11/002
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved pin clamp is described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a pin clamp circuit with improved undershoot clamping characteristics is provided. The clamp circuit actively senses the pin voltage and enhances this voltage so as to cause a voltage-to-current converter to transmit an increased amount of clamp current, relative to prior art passive clamps, to the device pin for a given amount of pin undershoot. As a result, the pin undershoot is clamped more effectively than has been the case with passive clamps. Further, since more clamp current may pass for a given voltage-to-current converter size, smaller clamp circuit components may be used. The clamp circuit according to the invention may be used generally with integrated circuit devices, but it is particularly useful in applications where bipolar devices are not available or might create adverse effects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.