Circuit simulating a diode

• US 6,469,564 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Jansen, Arian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Callahan, Timothy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai L.
• Application Number:
  US09/567,590
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 327/538, 327/540, 327/541, 327/543, 327/427, 327/493, 327/365, 327/374, 327/376, 327/377, 327/387, 327/368
• US Class Current: 327/365
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/62 for electric systems or apparatus G06G7/78 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/003 using a field effect transistor as protecting element in one of the supply lines
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/06 Modifications for ensuring a fully conducting state
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/063 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/302 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/74 by the use, as active elements, of diodes by the use of more than one type of semiconductor device H03K17/567; by the use of tunnel diodes H03K17/58; by the use of negative resistance diodes H03K17/70
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/307 circuits simulating a diode, e.g. threshold zero

Abstract

A circuit simulating the function of a diode in the sense that it conducts current in one direction and blocks current in the opposite direction, but which has a low forward voltage drop. A voltage comparator and a three terminal switch are connected so that the intrinsic reverse diode associated with the switch is harnessed to conduct current in the direction in which it is desired to conduct current and to block current in the direction in which it is desired to block current. A voltage comparator controls the control terminal of the three terminal switch to turn on the switch to conduct current and to interrupt current. Alternate embodiments of voltage comparators are disclosed. The voltage comparator may include charging and discharging transistors so that the switch turns on and off at a high speed. The invention further includes a method of conducting current in one direction and blocking current in a second direction which reduces power losses.

Claims

1. A circuit for improving switching performance of a three terminal switch comprising:

said three terminal switch having a source for electrons, a drain for electrons, and a control terminal having an internal capacitance between the control terminal and the source for electrons; and

means for amplifying a current for modifying a charged state of said internal capacitance;

wherein said means for amplifying the current comprises a transistor having an emitter, collector, and base;

said modification of said charged state takes place across said collector and emitter; and

said base controls said amplification of current in synchronisation with the switching of the three terminal switch; and

wherein said means for amplifying the current further comprises a diode connected between the control terminal of the three terminal switch and the collector of the transistor.

2. A circuit according to claim 1 wherein said means for amplifying responds to voltages at the source and drain of the switch and establishes a switching time of said switch.

3. A circuit according to claim 1 wherein said means for amplifying the current comprises a transistor.

4. A circuit according to claim 3 wherein said transistor has an emitter, collector and base;

said modification of said charged state takes place across said collector and emitter; and

said base controls said amplification of current in synchronisation with the switching of the three terminal switch.

5. A circuit according to claim 1 wherein said means for amplifying the current amplifies a charging current and a discharging current alternately.

6. A circuit according to claim 5 wherein said means for amplifying the current comprises a first transistor for controlling charging and a second transistor for controlling discharging of said capacitance.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein amplifying the current charges and discharges the internal capacitance.

8. A circuit with two terminals A and K, which conducts current in one direction from terminal A to terminal K and blocks current in an opposite direction from terminal K to terminal A, comprising:

a voltage comparator, having a positive input, a negative input, and an output; and

a three terminal means for switching current with a source for electrons, a drain for electrons, and a control terminal controlled by a voltage from the output of said voltage comparator;

said three terminal switching means having an internal capacitance between the control terminal and the source for electrons associated therewith; and

wherein said voltage comparator includes current amplification means that negate effects on switching time of the switching means due to said internal capacitance.

9. A circuit according to claim 8 wherein said current amplification means in order to negate the effects on switching time of the switching means due to said internal capacitance establishes a switching time in response to voltages at the source and drain of said switch.

10. A circuit according to claim 9 wherein said current amplification means consists of two transistors.