High voltage amplification using low breakdown voltage devices
US8179196B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F3/217
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for amplifying signals over a wide frequency range to generate high voltage outputs feature a pair of switching modules which are connected in series. Switching modules, e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs), operate based on the voltage difference between an amplified signal and a fixed DC signal at two of their terminals, thereby generating an output waveform that has peak-to-peak voltage higher than, e.g. twice, the breakdown voltage of the transistors within the amplifier. The DC signals applied at the switching modules may be varied using an AC signal to improve the risetime of the output waveform and achieve a faster operational speed of the amplifier.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.