Tunnel diode shift register utilizing tunnel diode coupling

Abstract

A shift register having a first bistable latching circuit operable for switching between a low voltage state and a high voltage state in response to receiving an input current and a first clock voltage pulse. A second bistable latching circuit operable for switching from said low voltage state to the high voltage state in response to receiving a switching current induced from the first bistable latching circuit and a second clock voltage pulse. A clock voltage pulse source operable for successively providing clock voltage pulses in phase sequence to the first and second bistable latching circuits. A coupling circuit coupled between the first and second bistable latching circuits and having electrical characteristics such that the coupling circuit generates the switching current for a predetermined voltage drop across the coupling circuit in response to the first bistable latching circuit being in the high voltage state, the coupling circuit generating currents of lesser value than the switching current for voltage drops which are lesser or greater than the predetermined voltage drop.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.