Patent ID: 6265925
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A multi-stage assembly, comprising:a plurality of stages which are successively arranged, beginning with a first stage and ending with a final stage, each including a controllable circuit portion and a controlling switching portion coupled thereto,wherein the controlling switching portion of each stage includes one or more ON/OFF switches, a first end of each ON/OFF switch of each said controlling switching portion being coupled to a different node of said controllable circuit portion of a corresponding stage and being coupled, respectively, to a second end of a corresponding switch in an adjacent succeeding stage so as to form one or more selectively actuated strings of series-coupled switches, all switches in each string being ON and OFF substantially simultaneously,wherein said one or more strings are coupled at front ends thereof to different nodes of said controllable circuit portion of said final stage and are coupled at tail ends thereof to a first supply terminal, andwherein said controllable circuit portions are coupled to a second, different supply terminal.