Patent · US Expired

Source-coupled logic with reference controlled inputs

US5798658A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 16, 1996
Grant dateAug 25, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/09432
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to source-coupled logic (SCL) which is a functional derivative of emitter-coupled logic (ECL). ECL is widely recognized as having the characteristics of high speed (low propagation delay) and low power supply noise generation. The SCL of the prior art succeeds at maintaining and improving the low noise characteristics of this architecture but does not fulfill the promise of high speed that one would expect from a current-mode logic. In addition, it uses a differential form of logic that is not as flexible and easy-to-use as a reference controlled or "single-ended" logic. The SCL disclosed here has the desired high speed properties and maintains the ease of use that is a property of reference controlled ECL. In addition, the reference controlled SCL of this invention provides new capabilities that make it even more flexible than ECL in generating logical switching functions.

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