The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 22, 1994
Filed:
Jun. 28, 1993
Raymond L Giordano, Flemington, NJ (US);
Robert H Isham, Flemington, NJ (US);
Arthur J Leidich, Flemington, NJ (US);
Harris Corporation, Melbourne, FL (US);
Abstract
A current source is selectively switched into the output circuit of a differential amplifier for producing hysteresis. In a circuit embodying the invention, a differential amplifier (diff-amp) stage operated at a first current level set by a first current source has first and second input terminals for the application therebetween of a differential input signal and first and second output nodes for the production of differential output signals. A second current source for inducing hysteresis is connected to one of the output nodes of the diff-amp and is selectively enabled. A differential input signal (VIN) is applied across the input terminals. When VIN varies in one direction and reaches a first threshold level, the second, hysteresis inducing, current source is enabled whereby a larger current can flow in the one node. VIN then has to vary in the opposite direction and reach a second threshold level to disable the second current source. When the first threshold level is reached the output of the amplifier stage switches from a first state to a second state and when the second threshold level is reached the output of the amplifier switches from the second state to the first state.