Multiple-level driver circuit with non-commutating bridge
AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.
InventorChristopher C. McQuilkin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiple-level driver circuit, such as for providing several different signals to a device under test (DUT) in an automated test system, can include multiple diode bridge circuits. In an example, a first diode bridge circuit is configured to receive a multiple-valued input voltage signal, having at least two different DC voltage signal levels, at an input node and, in response, to selectively provide a corresponding multiple-valued output voltage signal at an output node. The first diode bridge circuit can operate in a conducting and non-commutated state when it is used to selectively provide the multiple-valued output voltage signal at the output node.
Claims17
A pin driver system to provide a drive signal to a device under test at a selected one of at least three non-zero voltage levels, the system comprising:
- a first diode bridge circuit configured to selectively provide, to a common node, a first diode bridge output voltage signal at a first voltage level;
- a second diode bridge circuit configured to receive a buffered switching signal and in response provide, to the common node, a switching stage output voltage signal at a selected one of second and third voltage levels that are each different than the first voltage level;
- and
- an output voltage buffer circuit configured to receive, from the common node, the first diode bridge output voltage signal at the first voltage level or the switching stage output voltage signal at the selected one of the second and third voltage levels, and in response provide the drive signal at a corresponding one of the first, second, and third voltage levels;
- wherein the first and second diode bridge circuits receive current signals from respective first and second current sources, and wherein the first current source is configured to provide a first amount of current to the first diode bridge circuit and the second current source is configured to provide a greater second amount of current to the second diode bridge circuit.
A method for operating a pin driver system to provide a drive signal to a device under test at a selected one of three or more discrete and non-zero voltage levels, the method comprising:
- in a time-interleaved manner, providing a first diode bridge output voltage signal at a first voltage level from a first diode bridge circuit to a common node when the first diode bridge circuit receives a first amount of current, and providing a switching stage output voltage signal from a second diode bridge circuit to the common node when the second diode bridge circuit receives a different second amount of current, wherein the switching stage output voltage signal has one of second or third voltage levels that are each different than the first voltage level;
- and
- receiving, at an output voltage buffer circuit and from the common node, the first diode bridge output voltage signal or the switching stage output voltage signal;
- and
- providing the drive signal from the output voltage buffer circuit at a corresponding one of the first, second, and third voltage levels based on the received one of the first diode bridge output voltage signal and the switching stage output voltage signal at the output voltage buffer circuit.
A pin driver system to provide a drive signal to a device under test at a selected one of a high voltage signal level, an intermediate voltage signal level, and a non-zero low voltage signal level, the pin driver system comprising:
- a first current source configured to provide a first amount of bias current to a first diode bridge circuit to enable the first diode bridge circuit to selectively provide, to a common node, a first diode bridge output voltage signal at the intermediate voltage signal level;
- second current source configured to provide a different second amount of bias current to a second diode bridge circuit, wherein the second diode bridge circuit is configured to receive a switching signal and in response provide, to the common node, a switching stage output voltage signal at a selected one of the high and low voltage signal levels;
- and
- an output voltage buffer circuit configured to receive, from the common node, the first diode bridge output voltage signal at the intermediate voltage signal level or the switching stage output voltage signal at the selected one of the high and low voltage signal levels, and in response provide the drive signal at a corresponding one of the intermediate, high, or low voltage signal levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.