This disclosure describes electrical stimulators that include some
electrical sources (e.g., current sources, voltage sources) that are
directly connected to a plurality of electrode nodes, and other
electrical sources that may be selectively connected to selected ones of
the plurality of electrode nodes via a switching unit, such as a
multiplexer. One example stimulator comprises a processor, a plurality of
electrode nodes, and a stimulation generator that is coupled to the
processor and to the plurality of electrode nodes. The stimulation
generator comprises a plurality of negative electrical sources, a
switching unit, and at least one positive electrical source. The negative
electrical sources are each directly connected to a different one of the
plurality of electrode nodes. The switching unit is connected to each of
the plurality of electrode nodes. The at least one positive electrical
source is connected to the switching unit. The switching unit is
configured to connect the at least one positive electrical source to a
selected one or more of the plurality of electrode nodes.