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. 12, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2003
Saul Darzy, Edgeware, GB;
Saul Darzy, Edgeware, GB;
STMicroelectronics Limited, , GB;
Abstract
A circuit is used in the output stage of an operational amplifier which allows a rail to rail swing of the output voltage while consuming low quiescent power. The circuit includes first and second control elements each having a controllable path and a control node. The circuit further includes a third control element having a controllable path connected between the control nodes of the first and second control elements via a resistive path. A voltage indicative of an input signal is applied to a node of the resistive path. Current flow through the controllable paths of the first and second control elements changes in response to changes in the voltage at the node. More specifically, current flow through the controllable path of the second control element changes in dependance on the current flow through the controllable path of the third control element. Additionally, as one of the first and second control elements is turned on, the other control element is held off.