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:
Jul. 03, 2001
Filed:
May. 19, 1999
Natale Aiello, Catania, IT;
Atanasio La Barbera, Mascalucia-Catania, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A circuit controls switching of a load between two supply terminals by a device in an emitter-switching configuration formed by a high-voltage bipolar power transistor and a low-voltage switch element. The bipolar power transistor has a collector connected to the load. The switch element has a first terminal connected to the emitter of the bipolar power transistor, a second terminal connected to ground, and a control terminal connected to a control terminal of the circuit. The circuit has a biasing circuit connected to a base terminal of the bipolar power transistor. To ensure that the bipolar power transistor operates in the saturation region throughout the period of conduction, even with a sinusoidal driving voltage, the biasing circuit includes a capacitive device and a charging circuit for charging the capacitive device to bias the base of the bipolar power transistor.