The present invention provides a system for limiting energy levels across the output of a driver circuitry segment (100). The system provides an output structure (102) adapted to drive an output load (104). A transconductance component (106) is communicatively coupled to the output structure, and adapted to output a transconductance current that is proportional to the voltage across the output structure. A scaling component (108) is communicatively coupled to the output structure, and adapted to output a scaled current that is proportional, by some scaling factor, to the current through the output structure. A qualifying component (110) is communicatively coupled to the scaling component, and adapted to activate a trigger component (112) when the scaled current passes a first threshold. The trigger component is communicatively coupled to the qualifying component, the transconductance component, and the output structure. Responsive to activation from the qualifying component, the trigger component receives the transconductance current and accumulates charge, for an amount of time inversely proportional to the transconductance current's magnitude, and triggers shut off of the output structure when the accumulated charge passes a second threshold.
A processor, a circuit and a method for processing images in an analog parallel processor network. A processor comprises a plurality of circuits, a bias transistor and an output transistor. A circuit comprises a first transistor and a second transistor, which receive respective supply voltages and operate as current sources, providing an output voltage. A circuit further comprises a coefficient coupling, which receives the output voltage provided by the first transistor and the second transistor, providing a switching function for a circuit output current. A transistor in a coefficient coupling determines a mode of operation based on the output voltage, provided by the first transistor and the second transistor, and an input current. The circuit provides an output current of the circuit for further processing.
