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:
Jan. 12, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 14, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Hieu M Le, Midway City, CA (US);
Lloyd F Linder, Agoura Hills, CA (US);
Erick M Hirata, Torrance, CA (US);
Benjamin Felder, Saugus, CA (US);
Roger N Kosaka, Torrance, CA (US);
Donald G McMullin, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (US);
Kelvin T Tran, Carson, CA (US);
Assignee:
Raytheon Company, El Segundo, CA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H02H / ; H03M / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
330298 ; 3302 / ; 341155 ;
Abstract
A current steering circuit diverts bias current from a differential current summing amplifier's front end when the differential input exceeds a safe threshold level, thus preventing the amplifier's output stage from being overdriven. Diverting the front end's bias currents also turns off transistors within the amplifier's front end and thus protects the front end from damage which may otherwise result from excessive input signals.