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:
Apr. 27, 1999
Filed:
May. 12, 1997
Alexander Fairgrieve, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Elantec Semiconductor, Inc., Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
A circuit for generating an output signal used for driving a grounded load is provided. The circuit provides an output signal without glitches or spikes. The circuit also outputs a drive signal with enhanced responsiveness in transitioning from one output value level to another output value level. The circuit includes a plurality of control devices for providing respective output signals responsive to respective control signals. The base of a PNP transistor is coupled to the output of the control devices and acts as a buffer. The emitter of the PNP transistor is coupled to a voltage source and the collector is coupled to a grounded load for providing the drive current. Alternatively, an NPN transistor and current source provides the drive current to the grounded load. The circuitry may be used in an optical disk drive with the load and ground being a laser diode used for providing a laser beam in reading/writing an optical disk.