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:
Mar. 15, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 24, 2008
Wayne C. Goeke, Hudson, OH (US);
Martin J. Rice, Sagamore Hills, OH (US);
Wayne C. Goeke, Hudson, OH (US);
Martin J. Rice, Sagamore Hills, OH (US);
Keithley Instruments, Inc., Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A circuit for alternatively controlling a current through a device and permitting measurement of a voltage across the device or controlling a voltage across the device and permitting measurement of a current through the device includes a sense impedance in series combination with the device; a buffer communicating with a common point between the sense impedance and the device; a current output stage; and a voltage output stage. When the circuit is controlling the current through the device, the voltage output stage forces the common point to a virtual ground and the current output stage forces a desired current through the device in response to a signal from the buffer. When the circuit is controlling the voltage across the device, the current output stage forces the common point to a virtual ground and the voltage output stage forces a desired voltage across the device in response to the signal from the buffer.