Patent · US Expired

Differential voltage follower

US5382916A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
1References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 1991
Grant dateJan 17, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S323/907
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A two-step analog-to-digital converter and BiCMOS fabrication method. The fabrication method provides pseudosubstrate isolation of digital CMOS devices from the analog devices. The converter uses NPN current switching in a flash analog-to-digital converter and in a digital-to-analog converter for low noise operation. CMOS digital error correction and BiCMOS output drivers provide high packing density plus large output load handling. Timing control aggregates switching events and puts them into intervals when noise sensitive operations are inactive. The fabrication method uses a thin epitaxial layer with limited thermal processing to provide NPN and PNP devices with large breakdown and Early voltages. Laser trimmed resistors provide small long term drift due to dopant stabilization in underlying BPSG and low hydrogen nitride passivation.

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