Patents by Inventor Jim R. Welch

Jim R. Welch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Output buffer with independently controllable current mirror legs
    Patent number: 6236238
    Abstract: A programmable output buffer with independently controllable current mirror legs is disclosed. The output buffer includes a current mirror that has a reference leg and a number of current mirror legs. The reference leg is biased using a reference current that is relatively independent of the supply voltage. Each of the current mirror legs is coupled to the output terminal of the output buffer, and conducts a current that is proportional to the reference current. This produces an output current that is relatively independent of variations in the supply voltage. To provide a programmable output power level, each of the current mirror legs are separately enabled. By controlling which of the current mirror legs are enabled, the output power of the output buffer can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Tanji, Robert S. Wentink, Jim R. Welch