Abstract: A low current output driver for a gate array. The driver has first and second reference voltage sources, a first transistor of a first conductivity type, and a plurality of second transistors of a second conductivity type. The first transistor is connected between the first reference voltage source and the output. The second transistors are series connected between the first and second reference voltage sources. The control electrode of the first transistor is connected to a common point between two of the second transistors. At least one of the second transistors is diode connected to provide an intermediate voltage to the control electrode of the first transistor, thereby reducing the output current flow.

Abstract: A transducer interface circuit is provided having means for detecting loss of connection of a transducer to the interface circuit. The interface circuit is intended for use with a transducer providing an output between two electrical poles of opposite polarity. Differential inputs of a differential amplifier are connected to the transducer poles. A bias current source is provided proximate the amplifier at least at one input, and the other input is connected to ground. Loss of connection between the transducer and amplifier results in saturation of the amplifier output.

Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit and method for converting on/off logic signals from one medium to on/off signals useful in a different medium. The circuit is particularly adapted to translate from negative voltage levels to positive voltage levels. The circuit includes voltage control levels for precisely controlling voltage as a function of temperature, all while only using positive voltage levels on the conversion circuit.

Abstract: An FFL/QFL family of logic gates is disclosed, preferably implemented with GaAs MESFET devices and providing enhanced speed-power characteristics. Although a number of gate configurations are disclosed, a NOR gate 26 constructed in accordance with this invention includes a pair of normally OFF input transistors Q1 and Q7, which receive inputs A and B. Current sources Q2 and Q3 couple the transistors to the supply voltage V.sub.DD and ground, respectively. A control transistor Q6 is also coupled to the input and source transistors. An output section 30 responds to the combined operation of transistors Q1, Q2, Q3, Q6, and Q7 to produce an output C in accordance with conventional NOR logic. More particularly, upon application of a high logic input A or B to transistors Q1 and/or Q7, transistors Q1 and/or Q7 and Q6 turn ON and the output C is at a logic low level. If both inputs A and B are low, however, transistors Q1, Q6, and Q7 remain OFF, and the output C is at a high logic level.

Abstract: A CMOS clamp circuit includes a sense inverter (I5) having an input node for receiving a sense current signal and an output node for generating a voltage output, an N-channel MOS clamping transistor (N5), and a P-channel MOS clamping transistor (P5). The N-channel clamping transistor (N5) has its drain connected to an upper power supply potential (VCC) and its source connected to the input node of the inverter (I5). The P-channel clamping transistor (P5) has its drain connected to a lower power supply potential (VSS) and its source connected to the input node of the sense inverter (I5). The gates of the N-channel and P-channel transistors (N5, P5) are connected to the output node of the sense inverter (I5). An enabling transistor and a power-down transistor may also be provided so as to operate the clamp circuit in a power-down mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fast complementary emitter follower drivers/buffers to be used in either a CMOS or pure complementary bipolar environment. The output driver (22) comprises top NPN and bottom PNP output transistors (T1, T2) with a common output node (N) connected therebetween. A terminal (15) is connected to the said output node (N) where the output signal (VOUT) is available. The pair of bipolar output transistors is biased between the first and second supply voltages (VH, GND). The output driver is provided with a voltage translator circuit (S) connected between the base nodes (B1, B2) of the output transistors (T1, T2). Logic signals (IN1, IN2), supplied by a preceding driving circuit (21), are applied to said base nodes. According to the invention, the voltage translator circuit (S) comprises two diodes (D1, D2) connected in series, preferably implemented with a main bipolar transistor having a junction shorted by a diode connected transistor to form a Darlington-like configuration.

Abstract: A radio frequency switch disposed over a substrate having ground plane conductors disposed over an opposite surface thereof is described. The switch has at least two terminals, and includes a plurality of pairs of transistors, each one of said transistors coupled between a reference potential and a common transmission line which is coupled to one of the pair of terminals. A pair of topside conductors are disposed over the substrate to couple the transistors through plated vias to a bottom ground plane conductor. The switch further includes a series connected transistor disposed between the r.f. line and a second one of the terminals of the circuit.

Abstract: An output circuit having the output taken between a pull-up output transistor and a pull-down output transistor connected in series for conducting current alternatively. Separate pull-up and pull-down driver circuits are controlled by a common input signal. The pull-down driver circuit is supplied by a pull-down current source, and a diode is connected from the point between the pull-down driver transistor and pull-down current source to the output node. The effect of a large node capacitance is reduced by the diode, which conducts current from the pull-down current source to any output load capacitance to raise the output voltage more rapidly when the pull-down driver circuit is cut off.

Abstract: A logic circuit, most suitable for the NOR gate, logic function and integration on a single chip with a plurality of such logic circuits and other digital circuits receiving the outputs of the logic circuits and the logic circuits themselves connected and cascade, wherein plural groups of input transistors are provided, with a load through the voltage source and one of the groups, field effect transistor between the voltage source and the other group, so that its gate is connected to the node between the load and first group and its source is connected to the output terminal, with the improvement being in finding a leakage load for the field effect transistor through the voltage source, providing a clamping circuit for the gate of the transistor. The clamping circuit can include a transistor having its gate connected to the output with a delay so that it will not come on until after a substantial portion of the rise time of the output has expired.

Abstract: A two stage address decoder circuit (AD) for 1/64 decode operation is disclosed which operates at high speed with low power consumption. Briefly stated, the circuit includes a first stage comprised of two predecoder circuits operable to develop predecoded output signals in response to input address signals and corresponding inverted address signals. Each predecoder circuit consists of a lower power high speed Differential Cascode Current Switch tree with its associated current source. The second or final decode stage is comprised of a plurality of final decoding circuits. Each final circuit consisting of a 2 way OR gate dynamically activated through a switched current source. The inputs of the 2 way OR gate are connected to one pair of the predecoded output signals. Final decoder circuits provide final decoded output signals which drive the word lines of a memory cell array.

Abstract: A level conversion circuit is disclosed in which the level conversion circuit is formed by connection a plurality of field-effect transistors (FETs) and a plurality of diodes in series between prescribed potentials, and the FETs and the diodes constituting a logical level conversion part and the FETs and the diodes constituting a current control part respectively have identical element forms.

Abstract: A buffer circuit includes first and second differential amplification type buffer circuits. The input nodes of the first and second differential amplification type buffer circuits are connected together and the output nodes of the first and second differential amplification type buffer circuits are also connected to each other. The first differential amplification type buffer circuit is constituted by a pair of driving P-channel MOS transistors and N-channel MOS transistors acting as loads of the P-channel MOS transistors and connected to constitute a current mirror circuit. The second differential amplification type buffer circuit is constituted by P-channel MOS transistors acting as loads and connected to constitute a current mirror circuit and a pair of driving N-channel MOS transistors.

Abstract: A decoding and level shifting circuit comprises first and second n-channel transistors each having a source connected to a high negative potential, a gate and a drain of the first n-channel transistor being connected to a drain and a gate of the second n-channel transistor, respectively. A first group of p-channel transistors are connected in parallel between the drain of the first n-channel transistor and a ground level, and gates of the first group of p-channel transistors are connected to receive a first group of signals, respectively. A second group of p-channel transistors are connected in series between the drain of the second n-channel transistor and the ground level, and gates of the second group of p-channel transistors are connected to respectively receive a second group of signals complementary to the first group of signals. The drain of the second n-channel transistor gives an output.

Abstract: The invention applies a weak forward bias to the body of the NFET transistor of a PFET-NFET TTL inverter buffer circuit to lower the NFET threshold voltage by about 0.45 volts, as a result of 1.5.mu. amps of body-source current providing a body to source voltage of about 0.5 volts to achieve a near ideal switch point of 1.45 volts under nominal conditions. Also a modified inverter circuit with biasing source, two diodes for trip voltage of 1.4 volts and a comparator constitute a central bias generator for supplying proper bias to the body of the NFETs of a plurality of TTL input buffers.

Abstract: An AND gate includes first and second opposite-type field effect transistors, each including first and second conduction path terminals and a control electrode. The gate's output terminal is connected, in common, to the second conduction path terminals of the transistors. A first logic input is connected to the first conduction path terminal of the first transistor and a second logic input is connected in common to the control electrode of the first transistor and to the first conduction path terminal of the second transistor. A third logic input is applied to the control electrode of the second transistor. In a standby state prior to the application of logic signals all three logic inputs are in the same state. This assures no conduction of logic signals, while conditioning the gate for rapid selection when logic signals are applied. Subsequently, logic signals are applied to the inputs with the third input being the complement level of the logic signal on the first input.

Abstract: There is disclosed a programmable sequential code recognition circuit comprising an individual code recognition circuit for recognizing each input code, and a sequence recognition circuit for recognizing the sequency given for individual codes obtained by combination of input signals, so that a specific mode may be selected by the input combination sequentially inputted.

Abstract: An input circuit for an integrated circuit furnishes a level shifting buffer portion adjacent a respective bond pad carried at the margin of the substrate while furnishing a clocked or latched portion adjacent the internal circuit of the integrated circuit. A lead extending from the level shifting or buffer portion to the clocked or latched portion carries the external signal applied to the bond pad and level shifted by the level shifting or buffer portion. The lead is subject to the parasitic resistance and capacitance of the integrated circuit. A multiplexer can be used to select among the level shifting portions for applying a single signal to the clocked portion and the clocked or latched portion can be part of a larger latch that receives plural signals for transmission to the internal circuit at appropriate times.

Abstract: An input signal is inverted by a CMOS inverter and provided for an output signal line. The CMOS inverter is provided between a power supply and a ground, and its node on the side of the power supply is charged all the time to prevent the potential thereof from being lowered. An output signal provided for the output signal line is delayed by a delay circuit to be applied to a boosting capacitor. The potential of the node is further boosted by this boosting capacitor. Consequently, the potential of the output signal is also boosted. When the potential of the node is raised higher than a supply voltage, an N channel MOSFET for charging is turned off to prevent a reverse flow of a charge.

Abstract: An output driver is provided for an IC (14, 16 and 18) to drive a data bus (12) connected thereto. The output driver may include a push-pull configuration comprising both a P and N channel transistor (78 and 80, respectively). A switching network of transistors (86, 88, 90, 92 and 94) is included to prevent loading of the output signal, V.sub.out when the power supply voltage, V.sub.cc is inactive. More particularly, the backgate of P channel transistor (78) is coupled to V.sub.out when V.sub.cc is inactive and coupled to V.sub.cc when V.sub.cc is active.

Abstract: An adaptive reference voltage generation circuit. The invention generates a reference voltage for a sense amplifier to provide bias voltages for cells in a PAL type programmable logic array. The circuit of the invention includes a reference cell having characteristics substantially similar to the cells of the array. A reference voltage supply circuit is included for providing a reference voltage in response to any changes in the characteristics of the reference cell. In accordance with the method of the invention, the reference cell is programmed and erased whenever the cells in the array are programmed and erased. Thus the characteristics of the reference cell change in accordance with changes in the characteristics of the cells of the array.