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Current source, as for switching PIN diodes

  • US 4,251,742 A
  • Filed: 04/09/1979
  • Issued: 02/17/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1979
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A current driver for supplying diode load means reverse-bias voltage in response to a first level of binary control signal, and for supplying said diode load means a forward-bias current in response to a second level of said binary control signal, said current driver comprising:

  • an output terminal and a reference terminal suitable for connecting said diode load means therebetween;

    switch means having first, second, and third electrodes, said first level of binary control signal conditioning said switch means for conduction between the first and third electrodes thereof, said second level of binary control signal conditioning said switch means for non-conduction between the first and third electrodes thereof, said first electrode being suitable for receiving a source of reverse-bias voltage with respect to said reference terminal, the second electrode of said switch means being connected to said output terminal;

    voltage sensing means connected to said output terminal for sensing the output voltage thereto, said voltage sensing means including means responsive to voltage on said output terminal for providing a first output signal whenever said output voltage is below a predetermined threshold voltage, and for providing a second output signal whenever said output voltage is above said predetermined threshold value; and

    a two-level current source supplying output current to said output terminal responsive to said second level of binary control signal, and not supplying output current to said output terminal responsive to said first level of binary control signal, supplying said output current at a first level to said diode load means responsive to said first output signal from said voltage sensing means and at a second level responsive to said second output signal from said voltage sensing means, said second current level being larger than said first current level and being sufficient to forward bias said diode load means.

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