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. 20, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2000
Marco Masini, Milan, IT;
Claudio Tavazzani, Trivolzio, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A constant limit duty-cycle is established by detecting the equivalent values VDD′ and −VDD″ of the voltages to which the output signal of the amplifier switches or pseudo supplies. An input limiting stage receiving an analog input signal utilizes the pseudo supply values VDD′ and −VDD″ as respective reference values for limiting the voltage swing of the analog signal output to a pre-defined fraction &agr;<1 of such reference values. This avoids using as a reference the real supply voltage values VDD and −VDD, as commonly done. The constant limit duty cycle is substantially independent from fabrication process spreads, temperature, etc., and provides an optimal functioning of the final stage of the amplifier for all working conditions.