Abstract: A reverse level shift circuit that is low in cost and excellent in reliability is provided by employing no Pch-DMOS transistor and forming it together with a level shift circuit on one semiconductor substrate. An input voltage signal (VIN) on high side is converted to a current signal by a voltage-current conversion circuit (CV1) and a current source (CS1). Using a Nch-DMOS transistor (ND1) of common gate construction as a high breakdown voltage resistance, the current signal is then transferred to low side, on which the current signal is converted to a voltage signal by a current source (CS2) and a current-voltage conversion circuit (CV2). Thereby, the signal change of the signal (VIN) using potential (HGND) as a reference potential can be outputted as a signal change of signal (VOUT) that uses potential (GND) as a reference potential.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for converting a voltage signal into a current signal. A differential circuit is used to convert a voltage signal into a current signal. The differential circuit comprises at least one feedback amplifier to reduce non-linearity in the differential circuit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an impedance conversion circuit called a regulated cascode circuit in which a parasitic capacity deteriorating frequency characteristics is reduced during operation up to about several hundreds of megahertz or higher frequencies. In the impedance conversion circuit comprising two regulated cascode circuits in which active elements and reverse amplifiers are interconnected with a feedback applied thereto, a capacity element is disposed between a control end of one active element and an output end of the other active element.

Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit includes a first current conversion circuit for converting a forward voltage of a p-n junction into a first current proportional to the forward voltage, a second current conversion circuit for converting a voltage difference between forward voltages of p-n junctions differing in current density into a second current proportional to the voltage difference, a current add circuit for adding the first current from the first current conversion circuit to the second current from the second current conversion circuit, and a current-to-voltage conversion circuit for converting a third current into a voltage. MIS transistors are used as active elements other than the p-n junctions. This enables the less temperature-dependent, less power-supply-voltage-dependent output voltage of the reference voltage generation circuit to be set at a given value in the range of the power supply voltage, which enables semiconductor devices to operate on 1.25V or lower.

Abstract: An arrangement (1) for converting voltage (Vin) into current (Iout), implemented on a chip (100), comprises a first V/I converter (3), the operation of which is based on a conversion resistor (Rconv) formed on the chip. This resistor has an unknown fabrication tolerance (&agr;). This is compensated for by the presence of a second V/I converter (13) having a compensation resistor (Rcomp), which is also formed on the chip and which has the same fabrication tolerance (&agr;). Furthermore, a third V/I converter (23) is present, which operates on the basis of an external resistor (Rref). The second V/I converter (13) converts a reference voltage (Vref) into a compensation current signal (Icomp), and the third V/I converter (23) converts the reference voltage (Vref) into a reference current signal (Iref).

Abstract: A DC-DC converter is configured as a constant current source to drive an LED load. This circuit configuration draws constant power from the input supply and delivers a constant current to the light source. A wide range of output voltages can be supported due to the implementation of current feedback for closed loop control. This allows for a selectable number of LED's to be powered simultaneously in a series configuration. Exceptional battery life is achieved due to the constant power discharge mode achieved with constant current feedback control. LED's powered at a constant current maintain a constant brightness level throughout the life of the battery.

Abstract: A voltage/current converter circuit includes a first differential pair circuit containing a first pair of MOS transistors, a second differential pair circuit containing a second pair of MOS transistors wherein the drain terminals thereof are connected to each of the source terminals of the first MOS transistor differential pair circuit, and a resistor element connected between the sources of the second MOS transistor differential pair circuit, wherein the gates of the second pair of MOS transistors are mutually connected to the drains of the MOS transistors of the other side, and the sources of the two MOS transistors are each grounded via an electric current source. Thus, a high-gain amplifier with improved linearity is realized with a small number of elements, thereby reducing electric power consumption and reduced IC chip surface area.

Abstract: In a wide dynamic range and with constant transconductance (Gm) differential voltage-to-current converter, operating in class AB, essentially comprising two complementary pairs of transistors, respectively of pnp (Q1, Q2) and npn (Q3, Q4) type, and two nominally equal resistors (RE1 and RE2), the emitters of the first pair transistors (Q1, Q2) are connected to the respective ones of dse second pair transistors (Q3, Q4) through the two resistores (E) having equal nominal resistance; a junction is provided between the emitters of the second pair transistors (Q3, Q4); and input voltages (V1 and V2) are respectively applied to the bases of first pair transistors (Q1, Q2), from collectors of which transistor output currents (I1, I2) are taken. Preferably, in this differential voltage-to-current converter, biasing and thermal balancing circuits (VP1, VP2) are connected to the first (Q1, Q3) and, respectively, to the second (Q2, Q4) transistors of said two pairs of transistors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a current-to-voltage converter comprising an input connected to a first inductance, a capacitor and a diode, an isolation transformer in connection with a first connection of a primary winding, a second connection is connected with a first output, a breaker circuit is connected over to a connecting point between the first inductance and the capacitor, a series circuit of a second inductance and a measuring element is connected over a connecting point between the capacitor and the diode. The isolation transformer further comprises a plurality of secondary windings on one core in order to form multiple outputs.

Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit includes a first current conversion circuit for converting a forward voltage of a p-n junction into a first current proportional to the forward voltage, a second current conversion circuit for converting a voltage difference between forward voltages of p-n junctions differing in current density into a second current proportional to the voltage difference, a current add circuit for adding the first current from the first current conversion circuit to the second current from the second current conversion circuit, and a current-to-voltage conversion circuit for converting a third current into a voltage. MIS transistors are used as active elements other than the p-n junctions. This enables the less temperature-dependent, less power-supply-voltage-dependent output voltage of the reference voltage generation circuit to be set at a given value in the range of the power supply voltage, which enables semiconductor devices to operate on 1.25V or lower.

Abstract: A current-to-voltage converter (10), in particular for high input voltages, comprising a primary side (14), which comprises several serially connected partial systems (16, 18, 20), including respectively at least one transistor circuit breaker (T1, T2, T3) and at least one separate associate transformer primary winding (TP1, TP2, TP3), and a secondary side (22), over which the partial systems (16, 18, 20) are coupled into a common load output (24). In order to make available a current-to-voltage converter having an uncomplicated design and partial systems with improved balanced voltage, the invention herein provides that each of the serially connected partial systems (16, 18, 20) has a branch with an input inductance (L16.1, L18.1, L20.1) and at least one transistor circuit breaker (T1, T2, T3), that the inductances (L16.1, L18.1, L20.1) are applied electrically in series to input voltage U.sub.

Abstract: A continuously controlled current increasing charge pump having n series-connected input capacitors coupled to a voltage/current source for developing a constant output voltage of at least ##EQU1## and an output current I.sub.o =nI.sub.in. Regulating circuits are also disclosed to regulate the output voltage. The charge pump consists of plural input switches that switch alternately the positive and negative sides of a like plurality of series-connected capacitors onto at least one output switch and output capacitor. The output switch is synchronized with the input switches and alternates between the negative and the positive output side of each capacitor.

Abstract: A voltage-current converter includes a signal voltage source (2), a series resistor (4) and an electronic circuit with a first transconductance amplifier (12) and a second transconductance amplifier (22). The corresponding inputs (16, 20; 24, 26) of the transconductance amplifiers (12, 22) are connected to receive a voltage difference (V.sub.A) between a node (18) and a reference terminal (8). The output (14) of the first transconductance amplifier (12) is connected to an input terminal (6) to which the series resistor (4) is connected as well. The output (25) of the second transconductance amplifier (22) is connected to an output terminal (10). Due to feedback around the first transconductance amplifier (12) an input current (i.sub.1) can flow into the input terminal (6). The input current (i.sub.1) is amplified or copied by the second transconductance amplifier (22) and is available at an output terminal (10). The input current (i.sub.

Abstract: A voltage to current (V-I) converter includes a low pass filter, a first converting element, a second converting element, and an output. The low pass filter receives an input voltage signal and outputs a filtered voltage signal. The output of the low pass filter is fed to the first converting element, which converts the filtered voltage signal into a corresponding output current which is fed to the output of the V-I converter. Preferably, the voltage to current gain of the first converting element is high. The low pass filter and the first converting element form a low frequency or DC signal path. The V-I converter further includes a second converting element, which receives the input voltage signal and converts it into a corresponding output current which is also fed to the output of the V-I converter. This current is combined with the output current from the first converting element to produce an overall output current.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voltage-current converter which can decrease the circuit scale excluding the capacitor for the stability operation, and which can select one from among two or more output currents is disclosed. Constant voltage Vr generated in constant voltage source 90 is supplied to non-reversing input of op-amp 10, output Vo of op-amp 10 returns to the reversing input of op-amp 10, and the output Vo is connected with resistance R. The gate voltage Va of the P channel MOS transistor and the gate voltage Vb of the N-channel MOS transistor which configure the output circuit of the op-amp 10 is outputted and is supplied to the constant current generation circuit 30. Constant current generation circuit 30 outputs constant current I2 from these voltages Va and Vb.

Abstract: A fully differential voltage-current converter, comprising a differential operational amplifier which is supplied with a differential voltage to be converted into a current, a first transistor being fedback to a noninverting input of the amplifier, a second transistor being fedback to an inverting input of the amplifier, the second transistor having the opposite polarity with respect to the first transistor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor having mutually opposite polarities being connected between a supply voltage and ground and to the second transistor in order to force a current that flows through the second transistor to be equal to a current that flows through the first transistor, a gate terminal of the first transistor being connected to a gate terminal of the fourth transistor.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting input voltage to output current is disclosed herein. The apparatus mentioned above includes an input stage and a tuning stage. The input stage is used to generate a gate voltage corresponding to the input voltage, which is electrically coupled to the power source and ground. The input stage includes buffering means, a transistor, a resistor, and a first current repeating means. The first current repeating means generates the operational current responding to the current repeating transistor, and the input voltage is electrically coupled to the resistor by two input terminals of the buffering means. The gate of the transistor is connected to the output terminal of the buffering means, and the drain of the transistor is connected to the resistor and one of the two input terminals of the buffering means.

Abstract: A constant voltage circuit and a constant voltage/constant current changeover circuit hold a voltage, applied to a load, to a constant level regardless of the variation of a load current. To this end, the changeover circuit includes a first circuit with a resistor connected to the output thereof, a second circuit with a pair of resistors serially connected to the output thereof, a compensation resistor connecting one terminal of the resistor to ground, a comparison operation circuit for comparing a detection voltage supplied from the pair of resistors with a reference value, a first oscillation control circuit for controlling the first circuit based on the output from the comparison operation circuit, and a second oscillation control circuit for controlling the second circuit based on the output from the comparison operation circuit. Because a current equal in level to the load current flows in the compensation resistor, the output from the pair of resistors changes depending on the level of the load current.

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 integrated transconductor circuit in which the input transistor(s) passes a current across a reference resistor. This conventional arrangement produces current error terms of Vbe/R and Ib. According to the present invention, these terms are compensated by providing a compensation resistor which is matched to the first resistor, and a compensation transistor which is matched to the input transistor, interconnected to feed the appropriate current components to the output. For even better compensation, an additional transistor is optionally added to remove the effect of base current of the compensation transistor. In differential embodiments, the compensation resistor may be bridged or split. Zero, one, or more stages of current mirroring can optionally be used to provide the desired output.

Abstract: A rail-to-rail voltage-to-current converter converts a variable differential voltage signal having first and second voltage signal components, to an output current signal. The converter includes a first voltage-to-current converter configured to receive a voltage signal component and a reference voltage signal to provide a substantially linear output current signal. A second voltage-to-current converter receives the other one of the voltage signal components and the reference voltage signal to provide a second substantially linear output current signal. An adder combines the first and second output current signals to provide a substantially linear voltage/current characteristic over a wide range of available voltage signals generated by a power supply.

Abstract: A voltage-to-current converter includes first and second current mirror circuits, a bipolar transistor, a start-up transistor, and a resistor. The first current mirror circuit which generates a first current proportional to the second current received from the second current mirror circuit. The second current mirror circuit generates an output current and the second current each of which is proportional to a third current. The bipolar transistor receives the first current from the first current mirror circuit at a connecting point which connects the collector to the base of the bipolar transistor, and the emitter is connected to the input terminal. And the resistor connects the connecting point to the second current mirror circuit such that the third current is supplied to the second current mirror circuit.

Abstract: An integrated transconductor circuit in which the input transistor(s) passes a current across a reference resistor. This conventional arrangement produces current error terms of Vbe/R and Ib. According to the present invention, these terms are compensated by providing a compensation resistor which is matched to the first resistor, and a compensation transistor which is matched to the input transistor, interconnected to feed the appropriate current components to the output. For even better compensation, an additional transistor is optionally added to remove the effect of base current of the compensation transistor. In differential embodiments, the compensation resistor may be bridged or split. Zero, one, or more stages of current mirroring can optionally be used to provide the desired output.

Abstract: An embodiment of the the present invention is a computer system comprised of a main computer circuit having an interruptible CPU, a control program stored in memory connected to the CPU with interrupt procedures, and a power supply that has a mainspring and winder, a generator, a regulator, a power supply, and an internal battery. The power supply is able to accept electrical power from the generator-regulator combination, house current (line voltage) through a standard outlet plug, and the battery. A user is able to input his own kinetic energy into the system by turning a winding key. The action is similar to winding up a large windup alarm clock. A pair of detectors connected to the mainspring sense when the mainspring is fully wound and when it is almost unwound. The unwound condition will interrupt the CPU and one of the interrupt procedures will bring the system to a controlled shut-down. The fully-wound condition will cause the system to be re-enabled to run normally.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a voltage-to-current converter for converting an input voltage signal to an output current signal, exhibits a substantially linear voltage/current characteristics over the entire available voltage signal range. The voltage-to-current converter comprises a first voltage-to-current converter having a substantially linear voltage/current characteristic for input voltage signals smaller than a first reference voltage signal level and up to substantially the minimum voltage signal level generated by a DC power supply employed to drive the voltage-to-current converter. A second voltage-to-current converter has a substantially linear voltage/current characteristic for voltage input signals larger than a second reference voltage signal level and up to substantially the maximum voltage signal level generated by the DC power supply.

Abstract: A voltage-to-current converter comprises a first MOS transistor for receiving a voltage signal at a first gate and transferring a current signal between a first drain and a first source, a second MOS transistor for receiving a biasing voltage at a second gate and transferring the current signal between a second drain and a second source, and a biasing circuit for applying the biasing voltage of V.sub.C +V.sub.T +kV.sub.DS to the second gate such that the second transistor provides a substantially constant drain-to-source resistance of 1/.beta.V.sub.C, where V.sub.C is a constant voltage, V.sub.T is a threshold voltage for the second transistor, V.sub.DS is a drain-to-source voltage for the second transistor, k is a constant in the range of 1/3 to 2/3, and .beta. is a gain for the second transistor.

Abstract: A voltage-to-current converting circuit configured to convert an input voltage signal into a pair of complementary current signals by use of a current mirror, comprises a transistor 4 connected in the form of a diode and connected in series with a constant current source 21, a transistor 3 having a collector connector to a collector of the transistor 4, a transistor 2 having a base connected to a base of the transistor 3 so as to form a current mirror in cooperation with the transistor 3, the base of the transistor 2 being connected to receive an input voltage signal Vin, a bias circuit 5 for biasing the base of the transistors 3 and 2, and a transistor 1 having a base connected to a base of the transistor 4 so as to form a current mirror in cooperation with the transistor 4. The input voltage Vin is converted into a collector current I1 of the transistor 1 and a collector current I2 of the transistor 2.

Abstract: A current-voltage conversion circuit which is capable of performing logarithmic compression is obtained using only CMOS processes. An emitter of a PNP transistor (10) and a current input terminal (51) are connected commonly to a reverse input terminal of an operational amplifier (53), while a first reference voltage input terminal is connected to a non-reverse input terminal of the operational amplifier (53). A collector of the PNP transistor (10) is grounded and a base of the PNP transistor (10) is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier (53) and an output terminal (55). A current (I) is supplied to the current input terminal (51) while a first reference voltage (V.sub.REF1) is applied to the first reference voltage input terminal. The PNP transistor (10) is formed by CMOS processes. The current-voltage conversion circuit is manufactured in a shorter manufacturing time and at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A transconductor circuit has first and second half cascode mirror circuits. Each half cascode mirror circuit has a cascode transistor, an active transistor, a base current compensating transistor, and a current source connected at one side to a supply voltage and at another side to the cascode transistor. The cascode and active transistors are connected in series between the current source and a first reference potential node. The base current compensating transistor is connected between the supply voltage and the base of the active transistor, and has its base connected between the current source and the cascode transistor. The bases of the cascode transistors of the first and second half cascode mirror circuits are connected to a second reference potential. First and second output mirror circuits are connected to mirror a current in a respective active transistor of the first and second half cascode mirror circuits.

Abstract: In order to obtain a constant current circuit which has an excellent constant current property and requires no plural bias circuits, a base of an NPN bipolar transistor (5) and a gate of an N-channel MOS transistor (6) are connected to a first terminal (1) in common. A collector of the transistor (5) is connected to a second terminal (2) and a source of a transistor (6) is connected to a third terminal respectively, while a voltage source (59) is connected between the first and third terminals. An emitter of the transistor (5) is connected with a drain of the transistor (6). Identical bias voltages are supplied to the base and the gate, while a gate-to-drain voltage of the transistor (6) is equal to a base-to-emitter voltage of the transistor (5). Thus, the transistor (6) operates in a pentode region, to serve as a constant current load for the transistor (5).

Abstract: A voltage to current converter is formed of a first current steering mirror which includes first binary weighted current mirror transistors and receives an input voltage signal and converts it to an output current. The converter also is formed of a second current mirror which generates a selectable output current, the second current mirror being formed of second binary weighted current mirror transistors. The output currents of the first current steering mirror and second current mirror are added and the sum is provided to the control input of a current controlled oscillator which can be used in a phase locked loop.

Abstract: An integrated transconductor circuit in which the input transistor(s) passes a current across a reference resistor. This conventional arrangement produces current error terms of Vbe/R and Ib. According to the present invention, these terms are compensated by providing a compensation resistor which is matched to the first resistor, and a compensation transistor which is matched to the input transistor, interconnected to feed the appropriate current components to the output. For even better compensation, an additional transistor is optionally added to remove the effect of base current of the compensation transistor. In differential embodiments, the compensation resistor may be bridged or split. Zero, one, or more stages of current mirroring can optionally be used to provide the desired output.

Abstract: A high-speed, fully-floating, current source/sink utilized a current mode operational amplifier to drive a power MOSFET without ringing or instability. The output of the current mode op amp is directly connected to the MOSFET gate. The current source relies on an optical link to enable an analog switch to generate carefully controlled pulse width characteristics at the positive input of the op amp.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for precise modulation of a reference current. A current generating apparatus in accordance with the invention is provided on an integrated circuit chip and includes a series connected chain comprising in the recited order: (a) an externally-set reference current source; (b) a current-to-voltage (I/V) converter for converting the reference current into an on-chip reference voltage, V.sub.ref ; (c) a voltage-to-current (V/I) converter for converting the reference voltage V.sub.ref into an on-chip, internal reference current I.sub.iref ; (d) a single-ended, voltage-operated current switch for modulating the internal reference current I.sub.iref to produce therefrom a modulated current signal, I.sub.M ; (e) a current-driven filter which receives the modulated current signal I.sub.M and produces therefrom a filtered voltage signal, V.sub.F ; (f) a voltage-to-current (V/I) converter for converting the filtered output voltage signal V.sub.

Abstract: Reference current loop comprising a group of identical ICs (1, 2, 3), comprising each a first impedance (7) connected in series to the first impedance of another IC of the group. The combination of first impedances is connected to a reference current source (4). The voltage across the first impedance (7) is convened to a current (I0) by a voltage-to-current converter (8) and made available as a current (I1, I2) proportional to the reference current (Iref) of the reference current source (4) by a current mirror circuit (20, 23). The relation between the currents I1 and I2 and the reference current Iref is determined by the ratio of the impedance value of the first impedance (7) to that of the second impedance (19). This ratio is the same for all the ICs, so that the currents I1 and I2 in all the ICs are mutually equal.

Abstract: A power efficient amplifier uses two stages, a low voltage stage and a high voltage stage. The low voltage stage supplies a nominal operating current to a load from a low voltage low power output when the requirements are small, and the high voltage stage supplies a desired output current to the load exceeding the nominal operating current when the load requires such. Switching to the high voltage output stage in response to sensing current to the load exceeding the nominal operating current conserves energy and increases operational efficiency. The amplifier circuitry produces a power efficient voltage-to-current transformation. The circuitry includes an operational amplifier that receives a signal proportional to the current flowing to the load and, an input signal which represents the desired load current. When the output increases above a certain level, it turns off the low voltage stage and turns on the high voltage stage causing the available output power to increase.

Abstract: A system for regulating the transfer impedance of a plurality of current-to-voltage converters to a substantially equal value includes a reference voltage source and a reference impedance for providing a reference current. A reference current-to-voltage converter is responsive to the reference current and provides an output voltage. A comparator is responsive to the reference voltage and the output voltage and provides a control signal to the reference current-to-voltage converter and to all the other current-to-voltage converters to maintain the transfer impedance of all the current-to-voltage converters constant.

Abstract: The design of a current-to-voltage converter with a uniform transfer function in its feedback loop (12) is proposed. It employs a very large, double-shielded measuring resistance (13) and a two-stage setup to perform a fully linear I/V conversion with a conversion factor of 10.sup.10 V/A and a bandwidth of 1 MHz. With the low noise level attained, and with the bandwidth and conversion factor mentioned, it will be possible to monitor events involving as few as 300 electrons. The current-to-voltage converter comprises a differential input amplifier (8), a current source (11) for supplying said differential amplifier (8), at least one operational amplifier (10, 14), and a high-valued measuring resistance (13) the voltage drop across which is being taken as a measure of the current to be detected. The measuring resistance (13) is arranged in a feedback loop (12) associated with said differential amplifier (8).

Abstract: A voltage-to-current converter in MOS technology includes a signal resistor formed by a channel of a MOS signal transistor (11, 12, 13, 14) with a source electrode and a drain electrode which form terminals of the channel. A gate electrode is provided for connecting a gate voltage (V.sub.g) for adjusting the resistance of the channel and a bulk electrode is provided for connecting a bulk voltage (V.sub.b), and a supply is provided for supplying source, drain, gate and bulk voltages to the electrodes, for non-saturated operation of the signal transistor. The supply includes control circuitry (30) for controlling the bulk voltage in response to the gate voltage. Consequently, the third-order distortion of the voltage-to-current converter is reduced.

Abstract: A transceiver device has a transmitter circuit for transmitting data from a local data terminal to a computer network. The transmitter circuit has a voltage-to-current converter including a voltage divider with a plurality of voltage threshold taps, each voltage tap having a fixed voltage level; and a plurality of differential current switches each having first and second differential inputs, and a current differential output. Each of the first differential inputs is connected in common for receiving a voltage signal, and the second differential inputs are connected to an associated one of the voltage threshold taps. The current switch outputs are directly connected to a common node, to provide a current signal stepwise the same as the voltage signal. Preferably the common node is connected to a current amplifier including a simple filter. The output current waveform is preferably a trapezoidal waveform having matched rise and fall times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for supplying a DC voltage to be maintained constant to electric loads, at least one load being connected via a switching regulator to a supply loop fed with an impressed current. The circuit maintains its regulation even if the loads fluctuate greatly within a short time. Accordingly, the invention provides, that at the switching regulator the switching element is arranged parallel to the input; that between the switching element and a capacitor lying parallel to the output of the switching regulator a diode is arranged which is cut off when the switching element is conducting. The circuit arrangement can be used to advantage in power supply equipments of electric communications systems.

Abstract: A multi-wire data transmission cable for transmitting data signals over long distances between data devices. Presently, data devices are usually equipped with voltage interfaces for the connection of peripheral instruments. The length of data transmission lines connecting such devices is limited, due to line resistences. For transmission over long distances, signals must be converted prior to transmission and then must be reconverted after receipt of transmission. The present invention allows the connection of long transmission lines to data devices without the need of external signal converters or additional units normally required. The handle portion of the plug connection at either or both ends of the cable houses a circuit that incorporates a signal converter. No additional external units are required to connect data devices over long distances, since the converter is integrated into the cable.

Abstract: The output of an alkali vapor lamp for use in an optical pumping system is stabilized by use of a feedback circuit which regulates current flow from a power supply to an electronic power oscillator used to excite the alkali vapor lamp. Starting of the alkali vapor lamp is facilitated by increasing supply current to the oscillator until the alkali vapor lamp is lit.

Abstract: A voltage-to-current converter is provided based on a pair of current sources providing current to two other pairs of current sources, one pair in the input stage and one pair in the output stage. Careful matching of current source pairs provides a large common mode rejection ratio and a large power supply variation rejection ratio.

Abstract: A voltage-to-current converter circuit for outputting a current accurately proportional to the input signal voltage, which converter circuit includes an operational amplifier for providing an output corresponding to a difference between the input signal and a feedback signal, and includes a feedback circuit for detecting the output current in the form of a voltage by making the output current flow through the reference resistor and for feeding back the detected voltage. Further, the feedback circuit includes a polarity inverting circuit which holds the voltage detected by the reference resistor and inverts the polarity of the voltage, and then feeds back to the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A voltage controlled resistor includes an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) including first and second linearizing diodes which not only optimize signal-to-noise distortion levels but also represent the AC impedance from the inverting input to ground. The OTA turns on and off in response to the amount of gain control current being supplied thereto. A Darlington transistor is coupled to the output of the OTA for providing a low impedance buffered output. A first resistor provides current flow through the diodes. A feedback resistor supplies and controls bias current to one of the diodes. A third resistor maintains bias to the Darlington pair when the OTA output approaches open circuit output impedance conditions.