Flash comparator

Details Flash comparator Flash comparator

1988-07-26

1990-02-06

Shoop, Jr., William M.

Coded data generation or conversion

Analog to or from digital conversion

Analog to digital conversion

341136, 341158, H03M 136

Patent

active

048991546

ABSTRACT:
Input and reference voltages are respectively applied to the control elements of first and second transistors. This causes a substantially constant current to be divided between the first and second transistors in first time periods. In second time periods alternating with the first periods, the reference voltage is also applied to the control element of the first transistor to produce a current representation of the reference voltage. This causes the first and second transistors respectively to produce in the second periods voltages dependent only upon their relative characteristics. These voltages are introduced in the second periods to first and second capacitances to charge the capacitances when first switches such as transistors are closed. Subsequently in the second periods, the charges in the first and second capacitances are respectively transferred to third and fourth capacitances to charge the third and fourth capacitances. The voltages across the third and fourth capacitances are respectively introduced in the first periods to the third and fourth transistors to control the transistor conductivities. The resultant currents produced by the third and fourth transistors are respectively introduced to the first and second transistors in the first periods to compensate for the differences in the characteristics of the first and second transistors. As a result, the voltage difference at the outputs of the first and second transistors in the first periods respectively represent only the difference between the input and reference voltages.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4449118 (1984-05-01), Dingwall et al.
patent: 4591830 (1986-05-01), Hanna
patent: 4639715 (1987-01-01), Doluca
C. M. Horwitz and R. M. Swanson, "The Optical (Free Carrier) Absorption of a Hole-Electron Plasma in Silicon", Solid State Electronics vol. 23, pp. 1191-1194.
T. Tamir et al "Integrated Optics" Springer-Verlag (1975) vol. 7, pp. 17-25, 244-245, 278-285.
R. S. Popovic "Optical Waveguides in Silicon IC Technology".

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Flash comparator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Flash comparator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flash comparator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-444042