Analog front end for proximity sensing of tunneling current
US8896950B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/6011
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit includes an input that receives a current that increases as a tunneling current sensor moves closer to a media. A high gain path is operatively coupled to the input to amplify the received current as a first amplified output. The first amplified output increases until a saturation threshold is attained for the high gain path. Further increases in the received current beyond the saturation threshold are diverted from the input as an overflow current. A low gain path is operatively coupled to the input to amplify the overflow current as a second amplified output. The second amplified output increases with the overflow current as the tunneling current sensor continues to move closer to the media.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.