Closed loop surge protection technique for differential amplifiers
US7714655B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2203/45396
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A differential amplifier with surge protection is described. The differential amplifier includes a first output driver device, a second output driver device, a first replica device, a second replica device, a current comparator, and a clamp circuit. The first replica device is configured to be a replica of the first output driver device. The second replica device is configured to be a replica of the second output driver device. The current comparator is configured to generate a threshold current, and to compare the threshold current to a first current through the first replica device and a second current through the second replica device. The clamp circuit is configured to limit a third current through the first output driver device and a fourth current through the second output driver device if the current comparator determines that the threshold current is greater than the first current or the second current.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.