Abstract: An input protection circuit includes an inverting amplifier circuit which converts the potential of an input signal input in such a way that the potential of the input signal lies in the input range of the potential range of a signal inputtable to an IC internal circuit. One protection diode is connected to a virtual ground node between an input resistor and an operational amplifier and a positive power-supply terminal to allow the input signal which has excessively exceeded the input range on the positive power-supply terminal side to flow toward the positive power-supply terminal, and another protection diode is connected to an arbitrary point between an input terminal and the input resistor and a negative power-supply terminal to allow the input current of the input signal which has excessively exceeded the input range on the negative power-supply terminal side to flow toward the input terminal from the negative power-supply terminal, thereby protecting the IC internal circuit.

Abstract: A nickel-based alloy is provided for provide parts and members of improved oxidation-resistance and high temperature strength for use in an oxidation atmosphere at high temperatures, such as automobile parts including an electrode for an ignition plug, power plant facility parts including a gas turbine nozzle, inner parts of heat treat furnaces, and fuel cell parts. The alloy improved in oxidation-resistance, high temperature strength and hot workability consists essentially of, in mass percentage, C: 0.003 to 0.1%, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 2.0% or less, Cr: 12 to 32%, Fe: 20% or less, Mg: 0.001 to 0.04%, at least one element, of not more than 2.5% in total, selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta and V, impurity elements of S: 0.01% or less, but the ratio of the Mg-content to the S-content (Mg/S) being 1 or more, and Ti: 0 inclusive to 0.02%, and the rest being Ni and incidental impurities.

Abstract: An input protection circuit includes an inverting amplifier circuit which converts the potential of an input signal input in such a way that the potential of the input signal lies in the input range of the potential range of a signal inputtable to an IC internal circuit. One protection diode is connected to a virtual ground node between an input resistor and an operational amplifier and a positive power-supply terminal to allow the input signal which has excessively exceeded the input range on the positive power-supply terminal side to flow toward the positive power-supply terminal, and another protection diode is connected to an arbitrary point between an input terminal and the input resistor and a negative power-supply terminal to allow the input current of the input signal which has excessively exceeded the input range on the negative power-supply terminal side to flow toward the input terminal from the negative power-supply terminal, thereby protecting the IC internal circuit.

Abstract: A nickel-based alloy is provided for provide parts and members of improved oxidation-resistance and high temperature strength for use in an oxidation atmosphere at high temperatures, such as automobile parts including an electrode for an ignition plug, power plant facility parts including a gas turbine nozzle, inner parts of heat treat furnaces, and fuel cell parts. The alloy improved in oxidation-resistance, high temperature strength and hot workability consists essentially of, in mass percentage, C: 0.003 to 0.1%, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 2.0% or less, Cr: 12 to 32%, Fe: 20% or less, Mg: 0.001 to 0.04%, at least one element, of not more than 2.5% in total, selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta and V, impurity elements of S: 0.01% or less, but the ratio of the Mg-content to the S-content (Mg/S) being 1 or more, and Ti: 0 inclusive to 0.02%, and the rest being Ni and incidental impurities.

Abstract: The &Dgr;&Sgr; modulator to be used in an over-sampling type analog-digital convertor, includes an analog &Dgr;&Sgr; modulator and a digital &Dgr;&Sgr; modulator. The analog &Dgr;&Sgr; modulator includes a digital-analog converter which converts a one-bit feed-back signal to an analog signal, an analog adder or subtracter which calculates a difference between an output signal transmitted from the digital-analog converter and an analog input signal, an analog integrator which integrates output signals transmitted from the analog adder or subtracter, and a first quantizer which converts an output signal transmitted from the analog integrator, into a digital signal.

Abstract: In a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, a phase comparator compares an input signal and a feed back signal in phase to generate a phase difference voltage signal. A loop filter filters the phase difference voltage signal, and generates a filter output voltage signal. A bias signal generating section automatically generates a bias signal. A voltage controlled oscillating section generates an oscillation output signal based on the filter output voltage signal and the bias signal. The voltage controlled oscillating section generates the oscillation output signal having a same frequency as that of the input signal based on the bias signal. A counter generates the feed back signal based on the oscillation output signal.

Abstract: A voltage/current (v/c) conversion circuit is designed for use in integrated circuit devices. Conventional designs of v/c conversion circuits require a relatively high value of load resistor, i.e. a steep v/c conversion slope, to generate high levels of output current. In place of the high load resistor which is expensive to fabricate with IC fabrication techniques, the source-drain resistance in an n-type MOSFET is utilized, and the output current level is adjusted by adjusting the potential of a bias input circuit supplied from the gate potential in an n-type MOSFET. The proposed configuration is ideally suited to IC fabrication processes, and the circuit is useful in a many applications requiring a wide range of high current levels from a conversion circuit having a low v/c conversion factor.

Abstract: An A/D converter includes a three-state comparator for detecting a higher state, a lower state and a equal state of a sampled analog signal with respect to a sequence of reference signals which are supplied from a counter or register after D/A conversion. After the equal state is detected, the D/A converter and the three-state comparator are stopped for power saving. The A/D converter further includes a frame memory and a control section which provide the counter or register with an initial code for each conversion cycle based on the last code of the previous conversion cycle constituting the previous digital output of the A/D converter. The A/D converter well follows the sequential change of the input level between the conversion cycles.

Abstract: A chopper type comparator is disclosed and implements a differential configuration with inverter amplifiers each having a control terminal. The comparator, therefore, successfully cancels noise of the same phase while preventing a current from constantly flowing therethrough. The cancellation of noise of the same phase, coupled with differential signals, doubles the signal range in the same voltage range, compared to a single end configuration. Hence, a high resolution is achievable even when a power source voltage is low.