USRE34771E - Voltage follower circuit having improved dynamic range - Google Patents

Voltage follower circuit having improved dynamic range Download PDF

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Publication number
USRE34771E
USRE34771E US07/965,693 US96569392A USRE34771E US RE34771 E USRE34771 E US RE34771E US 96569392 A US96569392 A US 96569392A US RE34771 E USRE34771 E US RE34771E
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Prior art keywords
transistor
base
constant current
follower circuit
voltage follower
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Expired - Lifetime
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US07/965,693
Inventor
Yuuzi Itou
Syuniti Tutida
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Toshiba Corp
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Toshiba Corp
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Priority claimed from JP1232939A external-priority patent/JP2831718B2/en
Priority claimed from US07/579,628 external-priority patent/US5068552A/en
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Priority to US07/965,693 priority Critical patent/USRE34771E/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F1/00—Details of amplifiers with only discharge tubes, only semiconductor devices or only unspecified devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F1/02—Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation
    • H03F1/0205—Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation in transistor amplifiers
    • H03F1/0261—Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation in transistor amplifiers with control of the polarisation voltage or current, e.g. gliding Class A
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F3/50—Amplifiers in which input is applied to, or output is derived from, an impedance common to input and output circuits of the amplifying element, e.g. cathode follower

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a voltage follower circuit in a linear integrated circuit adapted for video signal processing and other electrical equipment.
  • FIG. 1 shows one example of a voltage follower circuit.
  • transistors Q1 and Q2 form a differential amplifier, and the emitters of these transistors are connected to a constant current source 10 which includes a transistor Q3 and a resistor R1.
  • the collector of transistor Q1 is connected to voltage source Vcc.
  • the collector of transistor Q2 is connected to a voltage source Vcc through constant current source 12 which includes transistor Q4 and resistor R2.
  • the base of transistor Q2 is grounded through constant current source 14 which includes transistor Q5 and resistor R3.
  • the base of transistor Q2 is also connected to voltage source Vcc through transistor Q6.
  • the base of transistor Q6 is connected to the collector of transistor Q2.
  • the base of transistor Q1 is connected to voltage source VB1 through input signal source VIN.
  • the bases of transistors Q3 and Q5 are connected to voltage source VB2.
  • the base of transistor Q4 is connected to voltage source VB3.
  • the voltage sources Vcc, VB1, VB2 and VB3 equal 5 V, 2.0 V, 0.9 V and 4.1 V, respectively, and VIN is a 2 V peak-to-peak signal. Accordingly, the voltage of an input signal of 100% white level would be 4.0 V, the sum of VIN and VB1 (see FIG. 2A). If the voltage follower circuit operated normally, the output of the base of transistor Q2 would be a video signal of 2.0 V at sync-tip level and 4.0 V at 100% white level. However the voltage at the collector of transistor Q2 is 2.7 V at sync-tip level and 4.7 V at 100% white level (see FIG.
  • transistor Q2 shows the output of the base of transistor Q2
  • the voltage at the collector of transistor Q2 equals the voltage at the base plus 0.7 V of the base-emitter voltage of transistor Q6.
  • transistor Q4 saturates and the voltage follower circuit fails to operate normally. In other words, the dynamic range of transistor Q2 is small, so that an input video signal is not output normally.
  • the clamp voltage of the input signal applied to the base of transistor Q1 may be reduced by about 0.3 V. As a result of the reduction, the dynamic range of transistor Q2 will become greater, but it is still inadequate to prevent the above-described saturation problem from occurring.
  • a voltage follower circuit which comprises a differential amplifier including a first and second transistor whose emitters are connected to each other, a first constant current source connected to the emitters of the first and second transistors and a second constant current source connected to the collector of the second transistor.
  • the base of a third transistor is connected to the collector of the second transistor, and a diode is connected between the emitter of the third transistor and the base of the second transistor.
  • a third constant current source is connected to the emitter of the third transistor and a fourth constant current source is connected to the base of the second transistor.
  • FIG. 1 provides a circuit diagram of a voltage follower circuit according to the related art.
  • FIG. 2(a-b) illustrates various wave forms of the voltage follower circuit shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 provides a circuit diagram of a voltage follower circuit according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4(a-b) illustrates various wave forms of the voltage follower circuit shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of a voltage follower circuit of one embodiment of the invention.
  • the emitter of transistor Q11 is connected to the base of transistor Q2 through transistor Q12 which operates as a diode.
  • the emitter of transistor Q11 is also connected to a constant current source 16 including transistor Q13 and resistor R11.
  • the base of transistor Q2 is connected to constant current source 18 including transistor Q14 and resistor R12.
  • the base of transistor Q14 is connected to voltage source VB3.
  • Numeral 20 is an output terminal and resistor R13 is connected between this output terminal 20 and ground.
  • the output of the emitter of transistor Q11 is fed to the base of transistor Q2 through transistor Q12. That is, the voltage from the emitter of transistor Q11 is increased by the level-shifting effect of transistor Q12.
  • the voltage at the collector of transistor Q2 is 2.0 V at sync-tip level and 4.0 V at 100% white level of the video signal, as shown in FIG. 4B.
  • this voltage follower circuit has an adequate dynamic range. Even if the voltage of the voltage source Vcc equals 5 V, this voltage follower circuit operates well with a video signal such as shown in FIG. 4A.
  • resistor R13 is connected to output terminal 20 as a load, as shown in FIG. 3, the following relationship exists, because output terminal 20 is a feedback terminal. wherein 11 is the current of the collector of transistor Q14.
  • Transistor Q12 which operates as a diode, introduces non-linearity into the output signal from output terminal 20. Nevertheless, linearity of the output signal is not reduced, because output terminal 20 is a feedback terminal.
  • the video signal may have an amplitude of 2 V.
  • the output video signal doesn't need to be amplified at the input stage of a subsequent circuit which needs a 2 V peak-to-peak input signal, and which is connected to output terminal 20 of the voltage follower circuit.
  • each constant current source has a resistor and a transistor.
  • a resistor may be used for the first and the second constant current sources.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Amplifiers (AREA)

Abstract

A voltage follower circuit includes a differential amplifier which has first and second transistors. The output of the collector of the second transistor is fed to the base of the second transistor as a feedback input through a third transistor and a diode. The diode operates as a direct current level-shift circuit. A video signal is fed to the base of the first transistor, and the output of the voltage follower circuit is taken from the base of the second transistor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a voltage follower circuit in a linear integrated circuit adapted for video signal processing and other electrical equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, a voltage follower circuit is used as an impedance transfer circuit or a distributor. FIG. 1 shows one example of a voltage follower circuit. In FIG. 1, transistors Q1 and Q2 form a differential amplifier, and the emitters of these transistors are connected to a constant current source 10 which includes a transistor Q3 and a resistor R1. The collector of transistor Q1 is connected to voltage source Vcc. The collector of transistor Q2 is connected to a voltage source Vcc through constant current source 12 which includes transistor Q4 and resistor R2. The base of transistor Q2 is grounded through constant current source 14 which includes transistor Q5 and resistor R3. The base of transistor Q2 is also connected to voltage source Vcc through transistor Q6. The base of transistor Q6 is connected to the collector of transistor Q2. The base of transistor Q1 is connected to voltage source VB1 through input signal source VIN. The bases of transistors Q3 and Q5 are connected to voltage source VB2. The base of transistor Q4 is connected to voltage source VB3.
In the above circuit, the voltage sources Vcc, VB1, VB2 and VB3 equal 5 V, 2.0 V, 0.9 V and 4.1 V, respectively, and VIN is a 2 V peak-to-peak signal. Accordingly, the voltage of an input signal of 100% white level would be 4.0 V, the sum of VIN and VB1 (see FIG. 2A). If the voltage follower circuit operated normally, the output of the base of transistor Q2 would be a video signal of 2.0 V at sync-tip level and 4.0 V at 100% white level. However the voltage at the collector of transistor Q2 is 2.7 V at sync-tip level and 4.7 V at 100% white level (see FIG. 2B showing the output of the base of transistor Q2), because the voltage at the collector of transistor Q2 equals the voltage at the base plus 0.7 V of the base-emitter voltage of transistor Q6. Thus, transistor Q4 saturates and the voltage follower circuit fails to operate normally. In other words, the dynamic range of transistor Q2 is small, so that an input video signal is not output normally.
The clamp voltage of the input signal applied to the base of transistor Q1 may be reduced by about 0.3 V. As a result of the reduction, the dynamic range of transistor Q2 will become greater, but it is still inadequate to prevent the above-described saturation problem from occurring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved voltage follower circuit which has an adequate dynamic range. In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing object is achieved by providing a voltage follower circuit which comprises a differential amplifier including a first and second transistor whose emitters are connected to each other, a first constant current source connected to the emitters of the first and second transistors and a second constant current source connected to the collector of the second transistor. The base of a third transistor is connected to the collector of the second transistor, and a diode is connected between the emitter of the third transistor and the base of the second transistor. A third constant current source is connected to the emitter of the third transistor and a fourth constant current source is connected to the base of the second transistor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 provides a circuit diagram of a voltage follower circuit according to the related art.
FIG. 2(a-b) illustrates various wave forms of the voltage follower circuit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 provides a circuit diagram of a voltage follower circuit according to the present invention.
FIG. 4(a-b) illustrates various wave forms of the voltage follower circuit shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Where, in the drawings, the same numerals are applied to similar elements, the detailed descriptions thereof are not repeated.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a voltage follower circuit of one embodiment of the invention. The emitter of transistor Q11 is connected to the base of transistor Q2 through transistor Q12 which operates as a diode. The emitter of transistor Q11 is also connected to a constant current source 16 including transistor Q13 and resistor R11. The base of transistor Q2 is connected to constant current source 18 including transistor Q14 and resistor R12. The base of transistor Q14 is connected to voltage source VB3. Numeral 20 is an output terminal and resistor R13 is connected between this output terminal 20 and ground.
The operation of the above-described voltage follower circuit is detailed below:
In this circuit, the output of the emitter of transistor Q11 is fed to the base of transistor Q2 through transistor Q12. That is, the voltage from the emitter of transistor Q11 is increased by the level-shifting effect of transistor Q12. When the base of transistor Q1 receives a 2 V peak-to-peak video signal, as shown in FIG. 4A, the voltage at the collector of transistor Q2 is 2.0 V at sync-tip level and 4.0 V at 100% white level of the video signal, as shown in FIG. 4B. Thus, this voltage follower circuit has an adequate dynamic range. Even if the voltage of the voltage source Vcc equals 5 V, this voltage follower circuit operates well with a video signal such as shown in FIG. 4A. If the voltage VBE between the base and the emitter of transistor Q11 is the same as that of transistor Q12, the voltages at the base and the collector of transistor Q2 are always the same, and saturation of transistor Q2 doesn't occur. If resistor R13 is connected to output terminal 20 as a load, as shown in FIG. 3, the following relationship exists, because output terminal 20 is a feedback terminal. wherein 11 is the current of the collector of transistor Q14.
Transistor Q12, which operates as a diode, introduces non-linearity into the output signal from output terminal 20. Nevertheless, linearity of the output signal is not reduced, because output terminal 20 is a feedback terminal.
In the past, video signals were limited to an amplitude of 1 V, because of the limitation of the dynamic range of voltage follower circuits. According to this embodiment, the video signal may have an amplitude of 2 V. Thus, the output video signal doesn't need to be amplified at the input stage of a subsequent circuit which needs a 2 V peak-to-peak input signal, and which is connected to output terminal 20 of the voltage follower circuit.
In this embodiment, each constant current source has a resistor and a transistor. However, only a resistor may be used for the first and the second constant current sources.

Claims (6)

We claim:
1. A voltage follower circuit comprising:
a differential amplifier including a first and a second transistor whose emitters are connected to each other, a first constant current source connected to said emitters and a second constant current source connected to the collector of said second transistor,
a third transistor, having a base connected to the collector of said second transistor, the first and third transistors having collectors connected to a reference voltage.
a diode connected between the emitter of said third transistor and the base of said second transistor,
a third constant current source connected to the emitter of said third transistor, and
a fourth constant current source connected to the base of said second transistor wherein the base of said first transistor receives an input signal and wherein the base of said second transistor is an output terminal.
2. A voltage follower circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a load resistor connected to said output terminal.
3. A voltage follower circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each constant current source comprises a resistor and a transistor connected serially to said resistor.
4. A voltage follower circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second constant current sources comprises a resistor, and each of said third and fourth constant current sources comprises a resistor and a transistor connected serially to said resistor.
5. A voltage follower circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diode is a transistor whose base and collector are connected to the base of said second transistor, and whose emitter is connected to the emitter of said third transistor.
6. A voltage follower circuit comprising:
a differential amplifier including a first and a second transistor whose emitters are connected to each other, a first constant current source connected to said emitters and a second constant current source connected to the collector of said second transistor,
a third transistor, having a base connected to the collector of said second transistor, the first and third transistor having collectors connected to a reference voltage,
a voltage level-shifting connected between the emitter of said third transistor and the base of said second transistor, and
a third constant current source connected to the emitter of said third transistor,
a fourth constant current source connected to the base of said second transistor wherein the base of said first transistor receives an input signal and wherein the base of said second transistor is an output terminal.
US07/965,693 1989-09-11 1992-10-23 Voltage follower circuit having improved dynamic range Expired - Lifetime USRE34771E (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/965,693 USRE34771E (en) 1989-09-11 1992-10-23 Voltage follower circuit having improved dynamic range

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1232939A JP2831718B2 (en) 1989-09-11 1989-09-11 Voltage follower circuit
JP1-232939 1989-09-11
US07/579,628 US5068552A (en) 1990-09-10 1990-09-10 Voltage follower circuit having improved dynamic range
US07/965,693 USRE34771E (en) 1989-09-11 1992-10-23 Voltage follower circuit having improved dynamic range

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Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4593211A (en) * 1982-11-24 1986-06-03 Cselt - Centro Studi E Laboratori Telecommunicazioni S.P.A. Low-dissipation output stage for binary transmitters
US4609837A (en) * 1982-11-01 1986-09-02 Hitachi, Ltd. High-speed logic circuit with a constant current source arrangement
US4631427A (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-12-23 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ECL gate circuit having internally generated reference voltages
US4678942A (en) * 1984-09-25 1987-07-07 Fujitsu Limited Emitter coupled logic circuit with high drivability for capacitive load
US4725979A (en) * 1986-12-05 1988-02-16 Monolithic Memories, Inc. Emitter coupled logic circuit having fuse programmable latch/register bypass
GB2207570A (en) * 1987-07-21 1989-02-01 Plessey Co Plc Emitter coupled logic device
US4806800A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-02-21 Tandem Computers Incorporated TTL-to-ECL input translator/driver circuit
US4864166A (en) * 1986-06-06 1989-09-05 U.S. Philips Corp. Tri-state logic level converter circuit
US4902915A (en) * 1988-05-25 1990-02-20 Texas Instruments Incorporated BICMOS TTL input buffer
US4972103A (en) * 1988-08-19 1990-11-20 U.S. Philips Corporation Accelerated switching input circuit
US4980582A (en) * 1989-02-03 1990-12-25 National Semiconductor Corporation High speed ECL input buffer for vertical fuse arrays
US4996448A (en) * 1989-11-27 1991-02-26 Motorola, Inc. Low power peak detector/buffer with fast charge-up time

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4609837A (en) * 1982-11-01 1986-09-02 Hitachi, Ltd. High-speed logic circuit with a constant current source arrangement
US4593211A (en) * 1982-11-24 1986-06-03 Cselt - Centro Studi E Laboratori Telecommunicazioni S.P.A. Low-dissipation output stage for binary transmitters
US4678942A (en) * 1984-09-25 1987-07-07 Fujitsu Limited Emitter coupled logic circuit with high drivability for capacitive load
US4631427A (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-12-23 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ECL gate circuit having internally generated reference voltages
US4864166A (en) * 1986-06-06 1989-09-05 U.S. Philips Corp. Tri-state logic level converter circuit
US4725979A (en) * 1986-12-05 1988-02-16 Monolithic Memories, Inc. Emitter coupled logic circuit having fuse programmable latch/register bypass
GB2207570A (en) * 1987-07-21 1989-02-01 Plessey Co Plc Emitter coupled logic device
US4806800A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-02-21 Tandem Computers Incorporated TTL-to-ECL input translator/driver circuit
US4902915A (en) * 1988-05-25 1990-02-20 Texas Instruments Incorporated BICMOS TTL input buffer
US4972103A (en) * 1988-08-19 1990-11-20 U.S. Philips Corporation Accelerated switching input circuit
US4980582A (en) * 1989-02-03 1990-12-25 National Semiconductor Corporation High speed ECL input buffer for vertical fuse arrays
US4996448A (en) * 1989-11-27 1991-02-26 Motorola, Inc. Low power peak detector/buffer with fast charge-up time

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