Abstract: An single power supply ECL to TTL/CMOS translator is provided for converting a signal from differential ECL logic levels to TTL or CMOS compatible logic levels without introducing current spikes in the output signal during logic transitions. The differential ECL input signal is transformed into first and second differentially related signals having predetermined differential and single ended magnitudes. The first and second differentially related signals are then buffered and applied, as independent single ended signals, to first and second conduction paths controlling the first and second switching circuits in an output stage, respectively.

Abstract: A self adjusting data detector receives a modulated carrier waveform and removes the carrier signal, leaving a bandwidth limited waveform. The bandwidth limited waveform represents a digital signal which has lost its squared edges due to the high frequency components which were suppressed during modulation, transmission, and demodulation. The self adjusting data slicer uses a first peak detector to feedback a detector bias voltage to set one peak of the bandwidth limited waveform to a predetermined level. A second peak detector is used to feedback a peak bias voltage to set the opposite peak of the bandwidth limited waveform to a second predetermined level. A data slicer is then able to accurately slice the bandwidth limited waveform at a predetermined magnitude therein recovering the original timing of the digital signal. The data slicer is able to maintain its accuracy over changing modulation levels.

Abstract: An operational amplifier is provided having a null offset that may be digitally adjusted quickly and accurately. The operational amplifier includes a cascode current mirror in an output stage wherein a small portion of current in the cascode current mirror is diverted away into a digitally controlled current divider. The more current that is diverted away, the larger the differential voltage that is created between the inverting and noninverting inputs of the operational amplifier. The current is increased until the output of the operational amplifier switches from the positive supply voltage to the ground supply voltage or vise versa. Additionally, a compensation capacitor at the output of the operational amplifier is switched out of the circuit during adjustment to speed up the null offset adjustment. Because the current being adjusted is not directly at the inputs of the operational amplifier the common mode input range is not deteriorated.

Abstract: A regulator is responsive to an input signal proportional to the system supply voltage for adjusting the current flowing in the field windings of an electrical alternator which controls the output power thereof. The primary regulation loop of the regulator generates a pulse train having a duty cycle inversely proportional to the amplitude of the input signal while an oscillator provides a sawtooth signal at a predetermined frequency which controls the response frequency of the regulator. The regulator limits the rate of increase in the duty cycle of pulse train upon detecting a decrease in the system supply voltage by converting the duty cycle of the pulse train to a charging signal for developing a voltage across a capacitor proportional to the duty cycle of the pulse train. The voltage across the capacitor is compared to the sawtooth signal and triggers a latch which disables the output signal of the regulator as the duty cycle lengthens in response to the decrease in the system supply voltage.

Abstract: An FM demodulator circuit uses an oscillator to provide a switch control signal synchronized to an FM signal, and a current supply to provide differentially alternating currents at first and second outputs flowing through a commutator circuit to the first and second outputs of the FM demodulator circuit. The commutator circuit is responsive to the switch control signal for alternately switching the first and second outputs of the current supply between the first and second outputs of the FM demodulator circuit thereby providing an alternating current flowing in the first and second outputs of the FM demodulator circuit which has an average value over each half cycle of the switch control signal proportional to the deviation of the frequency of the FM signal from the free-running frequency of the oscillator.

Abstract: A negative voltage clamp circuit is coupled to an N-epi region within an IC for clamping the voltage applied thereto to a predetermined negative value without utilizing a negative power supply. A current supply provides a first current through a series combination diode and resistor such that a voltage is developed across the resistor. The base of a first transistor receives drive current from the current supply for providing a second current flowing through its collector-emitter conduction path. The first and second currents respectively flow through the collector-emitter conduction paths of second and third transistors which are configured as a cross-coupled pair. The base-emitter junction of the third transistor is responsive to an applied voltage for gating an appropriate magnitude of the second current to the output for limiting the applied voltage to a predetermined value approximately equal to the voltage developed across the resistor.

Abstract: A clock distribution circuit for distributing a clock signal to a plurality of other circuits, having a substantially reduced skew between the input signal and the plurality of output signals wherein signals are transmitted from an input gate to a plurality of output gates and output pads along radially disposed metalization lines. The radially disposed metalization lines are terminated at forty five degrees, thereby reducing reflections, and are of equal length for like signals.

Abstract: An FM detection circuit utilizes a first multiplier and phase shift circuit to demodulate an FM signal. The output signal also contains harmonic distortion as a result of the demodulation process. A gain control circuit is included to provide a first gain control signal to the first multiplier which adjusts the magnitude of the output signal of the FM detection circuit in such a manner as to substantially eliminate the harmonic distortion. The gain control circuit uses a second multiplier to generate an output signal proportional to the square of the output signal of the phase shift circuit which is then compared to a constant current to produce an error signal proportional to the harmonic distortion. The error signal controls the magnitude of the first gain control signal such that the output signal of the FM detection circuit is proportional to the deviation of the FM signal from its center frequency.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a microprocessor core interfaced to large power transistors is described. This integrated circuit provides the capability to intelligently control and drive loads requiring currents exceeding 250 milli amps. The large power transistors are built in a technology compatible with the microprocessor core technology resulting in a more readily manufacturable circuit. The microprocessor core is layed out in a manner which provides the greatest distance between the most heat sensitive microprocessor core circuits and the power devices. On chip temperature sensing and feedback is provided for junction temperature monitoring and control.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a microprocessor core interfaced to large power transistors is described. This integrated circuit provides the capability to intelligently control and drive loads requiring currents exceeding 250 milli amps. The large power transistors are built in a technology compatible with the microprocessor core technology resulting in a more readily manufacturable circuit. The microprocessor core is layed out in a manner which provides the greatest distance between the most heat sensitive microprocessor core circuits and the power devices. On chip temperature sensing and feedback is provided for junction temperature monitoring and control.

Abstract: In an output stage of an operational amplifier comprising first and second NPN output transistors a circuit is coupled between the positive supply conductor and the collector of the first NPN transistor for providing a boosted base current drive thereto as a function of the load current sourced from the emitter of the first transistor to the output of the operational amplifier. The circuit senses the collector current flowing through the first transistor for increasing the base current drive thereto as the collector current increases.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a microprocessor core interfaced to large power transistors is described. This integrated circuit provides the capability to intelligently control and drive loads requiring currents exceeding 250 milli amps. The large power transistors are built in a technology compatible with the microprocessor core technology resulting in a more readily manufacturable circuit. The microprocessor core is layed out in a manner which provides the greatest distance between the most heat sensitive microprocessor core circuits and the power devices. On chip temperature sensing and feedback is provided for junction temperature monitoring and control.

Abstract: A voltage to absolute value current converter circuit provides an output current signal which is proportional to the absolute value of the AC portion of an input voltage signal. This conversion is accomplished without the use of a capacitor which allows the circuit to be implemented in integrated circuit form.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter comprises a plurality of resistors coupled in series, having first and second nodes at the repsective ends of the plurality of resistors coupled in series and a plurality of nodes, one each between each of the plurality of resistors. A multiplexing circuit is coupled to the first and second nodes and the plurality of nodes, for selecting the voltage on one of the first and second nodes and the plurality of nodes in response to a digital input signal and providing the result as an analog output signal. An input circuit is coupled to the first and second nodes for adjusting the voltage level at both the first and second nodes in response to the digital input signal, wherein the voltage difference between the first and second nodes remains substantially the same and the current through each of the resistors remains substantially the same.

Abstract: A circuit for use in a phase locked loop (PLL) which is responsive to the PLL being out of lock for providing fast lock current to drive the VCO of the PLL in the direction to acquire lock. The circuit includes a pair of controlled current sources responsive to selective control signals for either sourcing or sinking fast lock current at the output of the circuit that are utilized to produce an error control voltage at the loop filter to drive the VCO accordingly while a reducing circuit is responsive to the control voltage reaching a predetermined value as the VCO is driven toward one end or the other of its range for clamping the control voltage while reducing the fast lock current to a reduced value thereby limiting excessive charge build-up on the loop filter capacitor of the PLL. Thus, the circuit permits the VCO to acquire fast lock up by providing fast lock current thereto while clamping the range of the VCO and reducing the fast lock current as the VCO approaches either end of its range.

Abstract: A power-on reset circuit includes a start-up voltage generator circuit which produces a voltage which is insensitive to changes in the threshold voltages of the field effect transistors contained therein. The start-up voltage then controls a trigger voltage for sheering a current to a capacitor, the current being provided by a switchable current source. The capacitor charges, therein introducing a delay into the generation of the reset signal. The reset signal is fedback to the start-up voltage generator circuit to reduce the steady state current drawn by the power-on reset circuit. A test terminal is provided to force the reset signal to go low for in circuit testing. This also provides a means for resetting internal memory elements which may be couple to the output of the power-on reset circuit to a known state.

Abstract: A MOS differential to single ended converter circuit is provided for supplying a single ouput signal in response to first and second differentially related current being supplied to first and second junctions thereof. The converter circuit includes first and second MOS transistors each having gate, drain and source electrodes with the gate electrodes being coupled together while the drain and gate electrodes of the first transistor are interconnected. The drain and source electrodes of the pair of transistors are respectively coupled in series with the first and second junctions. First and second bipolar transistors each having first, second and control electrodes are provided for limiting the voltage swing at the drain of the second MOS transistor.

Abstract: A memory system comprisinga first, volatile memory (6) having a plurality of memory cells; at least one second, non-volatile memory (E.sub.l E.sub.n) having a plurality of memory cells; power-down means (12) for sensing when power is withdrawn from the first memory and for transferring in response thereto contents of the cells of the first memory to the cells of the second memory; and power-up means (10) for sensing when power is applied to the first memory and for transferring in response thereto contents of the cells of the second memory to the cells of the first memory, is characterised by a plurality of said second, non-volatile memories and further comprising a register (8) for holding an indication of which of the second memories is to be used for transfer by at least the power-down means.

Abstract: A voltage supply circuit provides a desired regulated voltage at an output utilizing a PNP and an NPN current mirror arranged to oppose one another. The NPN current mirror includes a pair of transistors operated at different current densities which produce a delta V.sub.BE voltage that is used to produce a reference current. The reference current is used to derive the regulated voltage which is a function of two independent resistor ratios.

Abstract: A variable gain control circuit comprising an input stage and an output stage is responsive to an applied input signal for providing an output signal. The input stage and output stage are independently biased by respective bias sources and each include circuitry responsive to a dynamic control voltage, the latter of which is generated in response to the input signal, to permit the absolute magnitudes of the input signal and output signal to exceed the respective bias sources. The ratio of the output and input signals is proportional to the ratio of the bias sources.