Patent ID: 6333664
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: H03K,H04M

Abstract:
A solid state switch circuit which can be implemented in an integrated circuit, comprising:at least one pair of parallel semiconductor devices comprised of controlled rectifiers connected together such that the conductive state of one of the controlled rectifiers of said pair controls the conductive state of the other controlled rectifier of said pair, and thus becoming sequentially conductive, said pair of controlled rectifiers each having anode and cathode current conducting electrodes and at least one current control gate electrode,wherein said one controlled rectifier comprises a relatively low load current carrying pilot controlled rectifier and said other controlled rectifier comprises a relatively large load current carrying controlled rectifier,a load circuit connected across the anode and cathode electrodes of said pair of controlled rectifiers via a pair of output terminals whereby a load current flows in the load circuit when one or both of said pair of controlled rectifiers are in a conductive state,a bias supply circuit connected to the pilot controlled rectifier so as to connect a bias voltage to the gate electrode thereof, rendering it conductive in response to a switch turn-on signal applied to an input terminal and causing a first load current of a first value to flow therethrough via respective anode and cathode electrodes thereof, said first load current being used to generate a turn-on voltage signal applied to the gate electrode of said other controlled rectifier so as to render it conductive and causing a second load current of a second value greater than said first value of load current to then flow therethrough via respective anode and cathode electrodes thereof concurrently with the first load current through said pilot controlled rectifier.