Patent ID: 6433592
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An apparatus for switching a field-effect transistor from one state to another state, the field-effect transistor having a threshold switching voltage at which the field-effect transistor is switched, the apparatus comprising:a control input for receiving a control signal having a predetermined voltage level; an attenuation circuit connected to control input for receiving and attenuating the predetermined voltage level of the control signal and outputting a control voltage; and an RC element connected between an output of the attenuation circuit and a gate terminal of the field-effect transistor for delivering the control voltage to the gate terminal with a predetermined time delay to switch the field-effect transistor; wherein the control voltage is at least temporarily set by the attenuation circuit to an attenuated voltage level that slightly exceeds the threshold switching voltage of the field-effect transistor by a small amount and that is significantly less than the predetermined voltage level.