US3665343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage controlled multivibrator
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A voltage controlled multivibrator having an output frequency which is a linear function of a control voltage over the entire operating range of the device is disclosed in which the output frequency is a linear function of the current drawn by the multivibrator circuit. The multivibrator includes a variable current source to regulate its output frequency in which current through the variable current source is a linear function of the control voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 James Elbert Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:35
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/26; H03K3/28; H03K3/281; H03K3/282; H03K3/2821; H03K7/00; H03K7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A multivibrator having an output frequency directly proportional to a control voltage in which said output frequency changes linearly in response to current changes therethrough comprising: a potential voltage source; a pair of resistors coupled at one end thereof to said source; a pair of level shifting transistors having collectors coupled to said source and bases coupled to different ones of said resistors at ends opposite to those coupled to said source; a pair of switching transistors having collectors coupled to said opposite ends of different ones of said resistors, having bases coupled to emitters of different level shifting transistors, the emitter of one of said level shifting transistors being coupled to the base of that switching transistor whose collector is coupled to the other of said level shifting transistors; a pair of current steering transistors having collectors and bases coupled to the collectors and bases of different switching transistors such that each switching transistor has a corresponding current steering transistor connected in parallel with it, and the current switching transistors having their emitters interconnected; a capacitor coupled across the emitters of said switching transistors; and means for coupling the emitters of said switching transistors and the interconnected emitters of said current steering transistors to a reference potential, said means including means for varying the current through said transistors as a linear function of said control voltage such that the current alternately through each of said switching transistors is 2I whenever that switching transistor is conducting and the current alternately through each of said current steering transistors is equal to the total current drawn by the multivibrator minus 2I, said total current being constant, whereby the output frequency of said multivibrator is a linear function of said control voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
A multivibrator having an output frequency directly proportional to a control voltage in which said output frequency changes linearly in response to current changes therethrough comprising: a potential voltage source; a pair of resistors coupled at one end thereof to said source; a pair of level shifting transistors having collectors coupled to said source and bases coupled to different ones of said resistors at ends opposite to those coupled to said source; a pair of switching transistors having collectors coupled to said opposite ends of different ones of said resistors, having bases coupled to emitters of different level shifting transistors, the emitter of one of said level shifting transistors being coupled to the base of that switching transistor whose collector is coupled to the other of said level shifting transistors; a pair of current steering transistors having collectors and bases coupled to the collectors and bases of different switching transistors such that each switching transistor has a corresponding current steering transistor connected in parallel with it, and the current switching transistors having their emitters interconnected; a capacitor coupled across the emitters of said switching transistors; and means for coupling the emitters of said switching transistors and the interconnected emitters of said current steering transistors to a reference potential, said means including means for varying the current through said transistors as a linear function of said control voltage such that the current alternately through each of said switching transistors is 2I whenever that switching transistor is conducting and the current alternately through each of said current steering transistors is equal to the total current drawn by the multivibrator minus 2I, said total current being constant, whereby the output frequency of said multivibrator is a linear function of said control voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
278 words
A multivibrator having input means for receiving a control voltage, for providing an alternating voltage output of a frequency that is directly proportional to the magnitude of the control voltage, comprising: variable current means, responsive to the control voltage, for setting the magnitude of a variable current therethrough representative of the control voltage; a first and a second load path, equal to each other in electrical impedance, connected in parallel to a voltage source; first switching means, operatively connected to alternately cause a first current to flow in the first load path, and electrically connEcted to the variable current means; second switching means operatively connected to cause a second current, equal in magnitude to the first current, to flow in the second load path alternately with the first current, and electrically connected to the variable current means; first current steering means, electrically connected to the first switching means, for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference of the first current and the variable current; second current steering means, electrically connected to the second switching means for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference between the second current and the variable current; bilateral timing means, responsive to the variable current, electrically connected to the first and second switching means to alternately cause the first switching means to operate while disabling the second switching means and then to cause the second switching means to operate while disabling the first switching means in a time period dependent upon the amplitude of the variable current; and output means, responsive to the first and second switching means to provide the alternating voltage output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
278 words
A multivibrator having input means for receiving a control voltage, for providing an alternating voltage output of a frequency that is directly proportional to the magnitude of the control voltage, comprising: variable current means, responsive to the control voltage, for setting the magnitude of a variable current therethrough representative of the control voltage; a first and a second load path, equal to each other in electrical impedance, connected in parallel to a voltage source; first switching means, operatively connected to alternately cause a first current to flow in the first load path, and electrically connEcted to the variable current means; second switching means operatively connected to cause a second current, equal in magnitude to the first current, to flow in the second load path alternately with the first current, and electrically connected to the variable current means; first current steering means, electrically connected to the first switching means, for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference of the first current and the variable current; second current steering means, electrically connected to the second switching means for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference between the second current and the variable current; bilateral timing means, responsive to the variable current, electrically connected to the first and second switching means to alternately cause the first switching means to operate while disabling the second switching means and then to cause the second switching means to operate while disabling the first switching means in a time period dependent upon the amplitude of the variable current; and output means, responsive to the first and second switching means to provide the alternating voltage output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
278 words
A multivibrator having input means for receiving a control voltage, for providing an alternating voltage output of a frequency that is directly proportional to the magnitude of the control voltage, comprising: variable current means, responsive to the control voltage, for setting the magnitude of a variable current therethrough representative of the control voltage; a first and a second load path, equal to each other in electrical impedance, connected in parallel to a voltage source; first switching means, operatively connected to alternately cause a first current to flow in the first load path, and electrically connEcted to the variable current means; second switching means operatively connected to cause a second current, equal in magnitude to the first current, to flow in the second load path alternately with the first current, and electrically connected to the variable current means; first current steering means, electrically connected to the first switching means, for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference of the first current and the variable current; second current steering means, electrically connected to the second switching means for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference between the second current and the variable current; bilateral timing means, responsive to the variable current, electrically connected to the first and second switching means to alternately cause the first switching means to operate while disabling the second switching means and then to cause the second switching means to operate while disabling the first switching means in a time period dependent upon the amplitude of the variable current; and output means, responsive to the first and second switching means to provide the alternating voltage output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
278 words
A multivibrator having input means for receiving a control voltage, for providing an alternating voltage output of a frequency that is directly proportional to the magnitude of the control voltage, comprising: variable current means, responsive to the control voltage, for setting the magnitude of a variable current therethrough representative of the control voltage; a first and a second load path, equal to each other in electrical impedance, connected in parallel to a voltage source; first switching means, operatively connected to alternately cause a first current to flow in the first load path, and electrically connEcted to the variable current means; second switching means operatively connected to cause a second current, equal in magnitude to the first current, to flow in the second load path alternately with the first current, and electrically connected to the variable current means; first current steering means, electrically connected to the first switching means, for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference of the first current and the variable current; second current steering means, electrically connected to the second switching means for providing a path for current of a magnitude determined by the difference between the second current and the variable current; bilateral timing means, responsive to the variable current, electrically connected to the first and second switching means to alternately cause the first switching means to operate while disabling the second switching means and then to cause the second switching means to operate while disabling the first switching means in a time period dependent upon the amplitude of the variable current; and output means, responsive to the first and second switching means to provide the alternating voltage output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multivibrator of claim 2 wherein the first and second switching means each comprise a transistor, the first and second current steering means each comprise a transistor and the timing means comprise a capacitor whose charge rate is dependent upon the amplitude of the variable current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multivibrator of claim 2 wherein the first and second switching means each comprise a transistor, the first and second current steering means each comprise a transistor and the timing means comprise a capacitor whose charge rate is dependent upon the amplitude of the variable current.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The multivibrator of claim 3 wherein the variable current means further comprise: a first transistor whose base is connected to the input means, electrically connected to the first switching means; a second transistor whose base is connected to the input means, electrically connected to the second switching means; and a third transistor electrically connected to the first and second current steering transistors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The multivibrator of claim 3 wherein the variable current means further comprise: a first transistor whose base is connected to the input means, electrically connected to the first switching means; a second transistor whose base is connected to the input means, electrically connected to the second switching means; and a third transistor electrically connected to the first and second current steering transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein the emitters of said current steering transistors are interconnected by a pair of series connected resistors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein the emitters of said current steering transistors are interconnected by a pair of series connected resistors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |