Circuit simulating a diode

Abstract

A circuit simulating the function of a diode in the sense that it conducts current in one direction and blocks current in the opposite direction, but which has a low forward voltage drop. A voltage comparator and a three terminal switch are connected so that the intrinsic reverse diode associated with the switch is harnessed to conduct current in the direction in which it is desired to conduct current and to block current in the direction in which it is desired to block current. A voltage comparator controls the control terminal of the three terminal switch to turn on the switch to conduct current and to interrupt current. Alternate embodiments of voltage comparators are disclosed. The voltage comparator may include charging and discharging transistors so that the switch turns on and off at a high speed. The invention further includes a method of conducting current in one direction and blocking current in a second direction which reduces power losses.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.