Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices – circuits – and – Signal converting – shaping – or generating – Converting input voltage to output current or vice versa
Reexamination Certificate
2006-01-10
2006-01-10
Cunningham, Terry D. (Department: 2816)
Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices, circuits, and
Signal converting, shaping, or generating
Converting input voltage to output current or vice versa
C327S052000, C327S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06985013
ABSTRACT:
The invention provides a method and apparatus for performing a voltage to current conversion. In particular, the invention provides a voltage to current converter configured to vary its transconductance (Gm). Such a converter is configured to receive a voltage input signal combined with a reference voltage signal to be converted to a current output. Optionally, the reference voltage signal may be provided by a parabolic impedance network that includes a bank of resistors and a plurality of corresponding current sources. Each current source corresponds to each node between two resistors, and may be varied in order to program changes in the comparator's Gm. Each resistor and corresponding current source is configured to create an individual reference voltage reference having a value that occurs in a parabolic manner in relation to other voltage references occurring across the impedance network. The converter further includes a plurality of comparators corresponding to the plurality of voltage reference signals. The reference voltage is summed together with an input voltage to an input of each corresponding comparator. Each comparator is configured to receive an enabling signal source for receiving an enabling signal. The comparator includes a comparator output that outputs a signal when the comparator is enabled. The enablement signal source is configured to provide a variable input signal to vary the Gmof the overall converter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5523717 (1996-06-01), Kimura
patent: 5801655 (1998-09-01), Imamura
patent: 6346899 (2002-02-01), Hadidi
patent: 6680627 (2004-01-01), Hughes
patent: 2004/0233085 (2004-11-01), Fukuda
Cunningham Terry D.
Ess Technology Inc.
Stevens Law Group P.C.
LandOfFree
Voltage to current converter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Voltage to current converter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Voltage to current converter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3540501