Programmable clamp for output circuit
US6507231B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K5/08
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A clamp for use with a circuit (having an output for delivering an output voltage) forms a voltage boundary for the output voltage based upon a clamp voltage. To that end, the clamp includes a clamp input for receiving the clamp voltage, a clamp transistor in communication with the clamp input, and a control transistor in communication with the output. The clamp also includes a driving source for driving at least one of the clamp and control transistors based upon the voltage at the clamp input and the voltage at the output. The output is clamped at a voltage within the voltage boundary of the clamp voltage after the clamp transistor begins being driven by the driving source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.