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:
Aug. 07, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 14, 2005
Philippe Deval, Lutry, CH;
Christian Albrecht, Echandens, CH;
Philippe Deval, Lutry, CH;
Christian Albrecht, Echandens, CH;
Microchip Technology Incorporated, Chandler, AZ (US);
Abstract
A differential input operational amplifier has a voltage clamp differential transistor pair coupled to an input differential transistor pair of the operational amplifier. The voltage clamp differential transistor pair limits the output voltage of the operational amplifier by taking over control of the operational amplifier circuits from the input differential transistor pair as the output voltage approaches a clamp voltage value. A reference voltage may be used to set the output voltage at which the input differential transistor pair will be clamped by the voltage clamp differential transistor pair. Below the clamp voltage, operation of the input differential transistor pair will not be affected. At the clamp voltage the input differential transistor pair will no longer control the output of the differential amplifier, rather the voltage clamp differential transistor pair will control the maximum voltage output of the differential amplifier. Both positive and negative limiting of the operational amplifier output voltage may be accomplished.