Abstract: An all npn totem pole TTL output stage is provided with an active regulation circuit that continuously senses the voltage level at the output terminal and feeds it back to control the drive signal that is applied to the base of the bottom output transistor to switch the output state of the load quickly without wasting transient current and then scale back the drive signal during steady state operation to minimize wasted current. When the load is driven into its output low state, the active regulation initially holds the drive signal at a high level so that the load switches quickly. Once the output voltage has fallen low enough, the active regulation reduces the drive signal such that the bottom output transistor is held on the edge of conduction and does not saturate. In this state, the bottom output transistor pulls the output voltage down to approximately ground without conducting any appreciable amount of current.

Abstract: A protection circuit inhibits saturation and damage of sensitive circuit elements when an input signal goes out of a nominal input range. The protection circuit includes an out-of-range detector which compares the input signal to reference levels to determine if it is within the range. If it is not, a control circuit substitutes a supplemental signal that is slightly out of range, but not so far out of range as to cause any substantial saturation. Supplemental signal sources that produce supplemental signals slightly outside the high and low ends of the range with error margins, not more than about 750 mV, that lie just outside the range; an out-of-range input is replaced by the supplemental signal with the closest value. The invention is particularly applicable to multistep/subranging analog-to-digital/converters.

Abstract: Open-loop differential amplifiers (120, 140) are disclosed which have accurate and stable gain. The gain of these amplifiers is substantially insensitive to the effects of small-signal emitter resistance r.sub.e, current gain .beta. and Early voltage V.sub.A. Thus, their gain can be accurately set by resistance ratios which makes them particularly useful in integrated circuits. These advantages are obtained with an output differential pair (67) that has cross-coupled base and collector terminals. In addition, resistors (141, 143, 148, 150) and a current source (146) associated with this differential pair are related to like elements (27, 28, 24, 25 and 26) that are associated with an input differential pair (21) by disclosed numerical ratios, e.g., the nominal gain G of the amplifier. Versions of the amplifiers can be adapted for use as a residue amplifier (162) in a subranging A/D converter (160).

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit protects against saturation and damage of sensitive circuitry elements. The protection circuit includes an out-of-range detector which compares an input signal to reference levels to determine if it is within a predetermined range of acceptable inputs. If the input is determined not to be within this range, a control circuit substitutes a supplemental signal within the range for the input signal. Digital correction can be provided to correct the output of the sensitive circuit element while the supplemental signal is being substituted. Numerous circuit designs may be used to implement the protection scheme.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit A-to-D converter having repetitive cells which are designed to be matched, but which are subject to uncontrolled mismatches adversely affecting performance. In the disclosed embodiment, the cells all include resistors (of equal ohmic value) carrying currents (designed to be of equal value) producing corresponding output signals. To avoid the effects of cell mismatch on the output signals, a network of equal-valued resistors is added to the circuit, with each network resistor connected between corresponding ends of adjacent pairs of the cell resistors.