LATCHING TYPE COMPARATOR

Abstract

An improved latching-type comparator operative in a selected one of two exclusive states is disclosed. In one state, the operational state, a gain stage is rendered operative to amplify at least one intermediate current signal generated by an input stage in response to the comparison of a pair of input signals. At least one drive current signal is generated by the gain stage in response to the comparison and is buffered by a corresponding buffer stage to render both an output signal and a signal representative thereof. In the other state, a latch stage is rendered operative unresponsive to the comparison and governed by the signal representative of the output signal to sustain the drive current signal in a state to latch the output signal. A switching stage governed by at least one latch signal effects the selection between the gain and latch stages by conducting operating current exclusively from the selected stage to a constant current stage. An independent second constant current stage provides current for the input stage to maintain its operation continuously independent of the selected date of the comparator.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1WILLIAM P. EVANS