Telefunken Electronic Gmbh

Christopher Malinowski

Klaus Gillessen

Peter Mischel

An arrangement with several phototransistors wherein the phototransistors are interconnected in such a way that n (n-1) (n-2) phototransistors can be triggered with n leads, n being one whole number larger than or equal to 3, the three connections emitter, base and collector of each phototransistor being connected to three different leads, no two phototransistors being connected in the same way to the same leads, the leads being able to take on three states, i.e., (1) grounded, (2) open and (3) connected to a voltage source, of the leads at a certain point in time only one lead being open and only one other lead being connected to the voltage source, the voltage source, on the one hand, being so small that it cannot drive a noticeable current over the base-emitter path of each phototransistor, but, on the other hand, being sufficiently large to be able to drive a noticeable current over the collector-emitter path of a phototransistor if this phototransistor is illuminated, and a flow of current being ascertainable for each lead when this lead is in the grounded state.

Arrangement with several phototransistors

It is an object of the invention to provide an arrangement comprising several or a plurality of light-sensitive components having as few contacts as possible. According to the invention there is provided an arrangement comprising several light-sensitive components, with one rectifying component connected in series to each light-sensitive component, further comprising a lead matrix with column leads and line leads, with the mth line lead connected directly to the mth column lead and to the remaining column leads through one series connection, respectively, consisting of a light-sensitive component and a rectifying component. External contacts are attached to the line leads or column leads.

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Bridgewater, NJ, United States of America

Christopher Malinowski