Abstract:
The memory is formed of semiconductor current steering bistable circuits. These circuits are arranged in groups on circuit boards with each group including the storage circuits for 1 bit position in each word. The groups of circuits are connected in series across the computer voltage supply so that essentially the same current flows through each group of circuits. With this series arrangement, the voltage level is different for each group of circuits and read/write and control signals are coupled to and from the circuits with opto-electronic coupling means which transmit signals independently of voltage level.
Abstract:
1,070,261. Semi-conductor devices. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. May 26, 1964 [June 10, 1963], No. 21796/64. Heading H1K. The invention is based on the discovery that when an electric field in excess of 2000 volts/cm. is set up in a crystal of gallium arsenide, the current flow between a pair of electrodes on the body fluctuates at microwave frequency. In general the fluctuations are random noise but if the electrodes are at the ends of a body whose length L lies between 2 x 10 -2 and 1 x 10 -4 cm. and the field is set up by applying a suitable potential difference to these electrodes, the current fluctuations are coherent oscillations with a frequency, or set of harmonic frequencies, given by f = nv/L, where / is the frequency, n is an integer and v is the carrier drift velocity. The claims are directed to a device (which need not be made of gallium arsenide) exhibiting the above effect and to the use of the effect as a method of generating microwave oscillations. In the drawings (not shown). Figs. 1 and 2 depict the electrical characteristics of the device; Fig. 3 an oscillator circuit consisting solely of the device, a source of D.C. power and a load; and Fig. 4 a jig which is used to provide a suitably dimensioned Ga As wafer with tin electrodes. In this jig the wafer is located between two tin spheres which are subsequently melted and alloyed to the wafer, the end product (Fig. 5a, not shown) being a cylinder consisting of two tin rods with a disc of gallium arsenide between them. This is subsequently shaped by grinding to a triangular cross-section, embedded in epoxy resin, the resin partly removed to expose one rectangular face of the triangular prism and attached by that face to a suitable insulating block carrying phosphor bronze contacts to the tin electrodes. The steps of this process are depicted in Figs. 5b to 5f (not shown).
Abstract:
A polyphase source of alternating current is converted to a low voltage high current regulated d.c. in a manner to conserve power and reduce costs by reduction of the number of components required therefor. To achieve this end, a single transistor is employed for each phase of the polyphase input transformer secondary winding configuration which transistor acts to perform the dual function of providing both rectification and regulation of the a.c. input.
Abstract:
The power supply circuit receives as an input an AC line voltage, rectifies the line voltage to DC and transforms the voltage downwardly to a much lower level. No transformer is employed but rather the power supply circuit includes a plurality of capacitors which are charged in series by the line voltage and discharged in parallel across the load. The charging and discharging is controlled by a diode and transistor connected to each capacitor and to each other so that the diode conducts during the charging and then maintains the transistor nonconductive and the transistor conducts during the discharge when the diode is nonconductive.
Abstract:
A sampling system is described which utilizes electrooptic techniques for sampling an electrical signal. Short duration light pulses are polarized and directed through a crystal exhibiting either a linear or longitudinal electrooptic effect or through a liquid showing a large Kerr effect, located in traveling wave relationship with a terminated transmission line structure. The group velocity of the polarized light, that is, the velocity of a light pulse, or the velocity, of the modulation envelope of a modulated light beam, along the electrooptic crystal and the phase velocity of the electrical signal along the transmission line structure are in synchronism. Due to electrically induced birefringence, the state of polarization of the light pulse is altered according to the electrical field intensity to which the electrooptic crystal is subjected by that portion of the electrical signal traveling coincidentally along the transmission line structure. Consequently, the transmission of the light pulse by a crossed analyzer placed at the output of the electrooptic crystal varies in response to the coincidental portion of the electrical signal. The energy of the light pulse emanating from the analyzer is detected and directed to a utilization of circuit, for example, the hold and display circuitry of a sampling oscilloscope.
Abstract:
A circuit is employed utilizing the low collector-emitter voltage of a saturated transistor to obtain more efficient rectification of an alternating current supply than is achieved by a diode. A regenerative feedback circuit to the base of the transistor is provided so that once collector-to-emitter current is initiated, current is fed back to the base of the transistor to further drive the transistor into its conducting condition. However, since transistors may operate in a reverse direction when the load voltage is greater than that of the power supply, such regenerative feedback circuit is employed in series with the saturated transistor whereby any reverse collector current due to inverted operation causes the base of such transistor to be cut off, preventing any undesired reverse transistor operation.