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:
Feb. 06, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 01, 1999
Eduard F. Boeckmann, Huntsville, AL (US);
Wolfgang F. Dietz, Gurley, AL (US);
3DLabs Inc. Ltd., Hamilton, BM;
Abstract
A converter for reducing the amplitude of a DC input signal includes first and second switches that each are coupled between an input port for receiving the input signal, and voltage reducing circuitry for reducing the amplitude of the input signal. The two switches are configured so that at least one of the switches is open at all times, thus reducing the heat generated by either one of the switches. This consequently reduces the need for heat dissipation devices such as, for example, conventional heat sinks. Moreover, the two switches each may be smaller than that which would be used if a single switch were used since their duty cycles are much smaller than that of such single switch. The converter further includes an output port coupled to the voltage reducing circuitry for providing an output signal having an amplitude that is less than that of the input signal.