I thought this topic was dead. But if it isn't, here's the solution I came
up with. BTW, most respondents seem to be ignoring the requirement that the
output be -5V when the input is +5V.

           +5V o-------+
                       |
                      4k7  R1
                       |
             Q1   +----+----+  Q2
             PNP  |         |  PNP
                  E         E
        Vin o----B           B----o Vth
                  C         C
                  |         |
           Gnd o--+----------------+
                            |      |
                            |     470r  R2
                            |      |
                            |      +----o Vout
                            |      |
                            |      C  Q3
                            +-----B   NPN
                            |      E
                      R3  100k     |
                            |      |
           -5V o------------+------+

Q1 and Q2 form a current switch: when Vin < Vth, the output is 0V (pulled
up by R2); when Vin > Vth, the output is -5V, pulled down by Q3. Vth can
be set to any value appropriate to the technology driving Vin; for example,
for a TTL input, you might set it to about 1.5V. This can be done with a
resistive divider between +5V and Gnd, for example. The base drive to Q3
is determined by the combination of Vth and R1. R3 serves to keep any
leakage current through Q2 (up to 5 uA or so) from turning on Q3.

You could tie Vth to Gnd, but then there would be no noise margin when Vin
is in the low state.

You could simplify the circuit by eliminating Q1 and connecting the input
to the top end of R1:

           Vin o-------+
                       |
                      4k7  R1
                       |
                       |  Q2
                       |  PNP
                       E
                        B----o Vth
                       C
                       |
           Gnd o--------------+
                       |      |
                       |     470r  R2
                       |      |
                       |      +----o Vout
                       |      |
                       |      C  Q3
                       +-----B   NPN
                       |      E
                 R3  100k     |
                       |      |
           -5V o-------+------+

But now the switching voltage is less well controlled (a Vbe drop above Vth=
),
and the source has to supply the drive current for Q3. Again, you could tie
Vth to ground, but there would still be no noise margin in the low state if
Vin is being driven by a logic gate.

-- Dave Tweed
--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.