US3822387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit for re-generating a current
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1972-06-02
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Granted: 1974-07-02
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Expires: 1992-06-02
Abstract
Abstract Integrated circuit for measuring the short-circuit current of a photodiode, which circuit uses the combination of an npn current mirror and a multi-collector lateral pnp transistor the base of which is controlled via a current-amplifying npn transistor.
Inventors
- 👤 C Mulder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:10
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/60; H10D84/63; G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/083; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/20; G05F3/22; G05F3/222; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/34; H03F3/343; H03F3/347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A circuit for re-generating the short circuit current of a current generating source, comprisiNg: a first transistor having an emitter, base and collector; a diode with an effective junction area; means for electrically connecting a two terminal current source to be regenerated in series with said diode between said base and said emitter of said first transistor; a second transistor of conductivity type opposite to said first transistor and having an emitter, base and at least first and second collectors, the ratio of the effective collector area of said second collector of said second transistor to the effective collector area of said first collector of said second transistor being approximately equal to the ratio of said effective junction area of said diode to the effective emitter area of said emitter of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said first collector of said second transistor to said collector of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said second collector of said second transistor to said base of said first transistor; transistor amplifier means electrically connected between said collector of said first transistor and said base of said second transistor to produce a base current in said second transistor in accordance with the potential of said collector of said first transistor; means for applying a voltage potential between said emitter of said second transistor and one terminal of the current source to be regenerated; and output means electrically connected to a collector of said second transistor for deriving the re-generated current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A circuit for re-generating the short circuit current of a current generating source, comprisiNg: a first transistor having an emitter, base and collector; a diode with an effective junction area; means for electrically connecting a two terminal current source to be regenerated in series with said diode between said base and said emitter of said first transistor; a second transistor of conductivity type opposite to said first transistor and having an emitter, base and at least first and second collectors, the ratio of the effective collector area of said second collector of said second transistor to the effective collector area of said first collector of said second transistor being approximately equal to the ratio of said effective junction area of said diode to the effective emitter area of said emitter of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said first collector of said second transistor to said collector of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said second collector of said second transistor to said base of said first transistor; transistor amplifier means electrically connected between said collector of said first transistor and said base of said second transistor to produce a base current in said second transistor in accordance with the potential of said collector of said first transistor; means for applying a voltage potential between said emitter of said second transistor and one terminal of the current source to be regenerated; and output means electrically connected to a collector of said second transistor for deriving the re-generated current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A circuit as defined in claim 1 in integrated circuit form in which said first transistor is a vertical transistor and said second transistor is a lateral transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit as defined in claim 2 wherein said first transistor is of npn type and said second transistor is of pnp type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A circuit as defined in claim 2 wherein said collector to which said output means is electrically connected is a third collector of said second transistor, said output means being means for making electrical connection with said third collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A circuit as defined in claim 2 wherein said output means comprises an additional transistor having an emitter, base and collector, said base of said additional transistor being electrically connected to said base of said first transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A circuit as defined in claim 2 wherein said transistor amplifier means includes a third transistor of conductivity type equal to said first transistor and having an emitter, base and collector, said collector of said third transistor being electrically connected to said base of said second transistor, said emitter of said third transistor being, electrically connected to said one terminal of the current source to be regenerated and said base of said third transistor being electrically responsive to the potential of said collector of said first transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A circuit as defined in claim 6 wherein the current gain of said first, second, and third transistors is stabilized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
279 words
A circuit for re-generating the short circuit current of a current generating source, comprising: a first transistor having an emitter, base and collector; a first diode with an effective junction area; a second diode with an effective junction area; means for electrically connecting a two terminal current source to be regenerated in series with said first diode between said base and said emitter of said first transistor, said second diode being electrically connected between said base and said emitter of said first transistor; a second transistor of conductivity type opposite to said first transistor and having an emitter, base and at least first and second collectors, the ratio of the effective collector area of said second collector of said second transistor to the effective collector area of said first collector of said second transistor being approximately equal to the ratio of the sum of said effective junction areas of said first and second diodEs to the effective emitter area of said emitter of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said first collector of said second transistor to said collector of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said second collector of said second transistor to said base of said first transistor; transistor amplifier means electrically connected between said collector of said first transistor and said base of said second transistor to produce a base current in said second transistor in accordance with the potential of said collector of said first transistor; means for applying a voltage potential between said emitter of said second transistor and said emitter of said first transistor; and output means electrically connected to a collector of said second transistor for deriving the re-generated current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
279 words
A circuit for re-generating the short circuit current of a current generating source, comprising: a first transistor having an emitter, base and collector; a first diode with an effective junction area; a second diode with an effective junction area; means for electrically connecting a two terminal current source to be regenerated in series with said first diode between said base and said emitter of said first transistor, said second diode being electrically connected between said base and said emitter of said first transistor; a second transistor of conductivity type opposite to said first transistor and having an emitter, base and at least first and second collectors, the ratio of the effective collector area of said second collector of said second transistor to the effective collector area of said first collector of said second transistor being approximately equal to the ratio of the sum of said effective junction areas of said first and second diodEs to the effective emitter area of said emitter of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said first collector of said second transistor to said collector of said first transistor; an electrical path connecting said second collector of said second transistor to said base of said first transistor; transistor amplifier means electrically connected between said collector of said first transistor and said base of said second transistor to produce a base current in said second transistor in accordance with the potential of said collector of said first transistor; means for applying a voltage potential between said emitter of said second transistor and said emitter of said first transistor; and output means electrically connected to a collector of said second transistor for deriving the re-generated current.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-01 | 1977-12-31 | 1978-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-01 | 1981-12-31 | 1982-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-01 | 1985-12-31 | 1986-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |