Patents Examined by Tomothy P. Callahan
  • Patent number: 5510735
    Abstract: A comparator circuit (31) for sensing a voltage difference between a battery voltage and a power supply voltage is coupled to a switch (39). The comparator circuit is capable of accurately sensing a voltage near the power supply voltage. The comparator circuit (31) comprises a first amplification stage (32-36), a second amplification stage (37), and a Schmitt trigger (38). The first amplification stage (32-36) includes a first source follower (32) and a second source follower (33) for generating a differential voltage corresponding to a difference voltage between the battery voltage and the power supply voltage. The first amplification stage (32-36) reduces problems in amplifying voltage near the power supply voltage by level shifting the voltage through the use of source followers and insuring transistors operate in a saturation region of operation. The second amplification stage (37) further amplifies the difference voltage between the battery voltage and the power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Mahabadi